THE MEDICINAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PLANT Arctium tomentosum AND ITS ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION

ABSTRACT

This article presents the main information on the medicinal significance of the plant Arctium tomentosum in both traditional folk medicine and modern medical practice, as well as its areas of application. This article also presents the results of the macroelements such as Na, K, Al, P, Mg, and important microelements such as Li, B, Be, Zn, and their determined amounts in the plant. Furthermore, it provides a detailed overview of the stages and techniques for identifying minerals in the root. Concepts regarding the plant’s importance and its fields of use are also highlighted.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В данной статье представлена основная информация о лекарственном значении растения Arctium tomentosum как в традиционной народной медицине, так и в современной медицинской практике, а также области его применения. В статье также приводятся результаты определения содержания макроэлементов, таких как Na, K, Al, P, Mg, и важных микроэлементов, таких как Li, B, Be, Zn, и их количества в растении. Кроме того, дается подробный обзор этапов и методов идентификации минералов в корне. Также освещаются концепции, касающиеся важности растения и областей его применения.

Keywords: Arctium tomentosum, elements, extraction, ICP MS, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, antibacterial, immunity.

Ключевые слова: Arctium tomentosum, элементы, экстракция, ICP-MS, натрий, калий, фосфор, антибактериальное, иммунитет.

Introduction

In traditional healing practices, preparations made from Arctium tomentosum are employed for a variety of conditions, including rickets, disorders of the gallbladder and liver, and different skin diseases. The plant is valued for its diuretic, blood-cleansing, and hemostatic actions. It is also traditionally administered for tuberculosis, headaches, and muscular or visceral spasms. Decoctions of the plant are used externally, particularly as bath additives, to relieve pruritic dermatoses, and its infusions are applied to support the healing of bodily injuries [4,23].

Root decoctions of Arctium tomentosum are especially noted for their diuretic properties. Both infusions and decoctions are recommended for disturbances of metabolic processes, spasmodic conditions, and various types of bleeding [1,78].

Arctium tomentosum is classified as an adaptogen plant and exhibits notable antioxidant potential. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects have been confirmed, and experimental investigations have revealed its hypotensive activity. The plant’s polysaccharides show immunodecorated properties in compromised immune states, comparable to established immunomodulatory pharmaceuticals, and antimicrobial activity has also been identified [2,13].

This article discusses the mineral content of the Arctium tomentosum plant and how to determine it. We know that macro and microelements are also of great importance in the human body, for example, Ca is important for bone strength, Zn for increased immunity, Mg for nervous system function, and Se for antioxidant activity. Therefore, when organizing production based on natural sources, that is, plants, it is important to first study their mineral composition.

Materials and methods

To obtain the substances of Arctium tomentosum, the aerial parts and roots of the plant were separately ground into a fine powder. Each powdered material was placed into separate 2-liter round-bottom flasks: 100 g of powdered aerial parts in the first flask and 100 g of powdered roots in the second. Then, 1000 mL of 70% ethanol was added to each flask. Extraction was performed in a water bath at 50–60 °C for 30 minutes, after which the mixtures were left to stand for 24 hours [8,38].

The extracts were filtered through a Büchner funnel, lyophilized, and sieved through a 250-µm mesh. As a result, 18.4 g of dry extract was obtained from the aerial parts and 22.4 g from the roots [8,39].

The contents of macro- and microelements in the obtained extracts, as well as in the powdered aerial parts and roots of Arctium tomentosum, were determined. Elemental analysis was performed using an inductively coupled argon plasma optical emission spectrometry method (ICP-OES) on an Optima-2100 DV (USA) instrument and an S-200 Perkin Elmer autodispenser.

The powder samples of the aerial parts, roots, and extracts were finely homogenized, and 0.1 g portions were weighed with an analytical balance with an accuracy of ±1 mg. Each sample was placed into separate Teflon autoclaves, followed by the addition of 2 mL of nitric acid solution and 1 mL of hydrogen peroxide solution. After tightly sealing, the autoclaves (total number: 12) were placed into the BERGHOF microwave digestion system equipped with the Speebwave™ MWS-3+ program. Digestion was performed by heating the samples to 25–40 °C for one minute, cooling, and heating again to 25–40 °C.[6,328].

After digestion, the sample solutions were quantitatively transferred into 50-mL volumetric flasks by rinsing the autoclaves three times with deionized water obtained from the LaboStar PRO UV 4 system (1.5 L/min, Evoqua (SG Wasser)). The flasks were then filled to the mark with deionized water. The macro- and microelement contents of the Arctium tomentosum samples were determined using ICP-OES [8,39].

After data acquisition, final processing was carried out with the Win-Lab (offline) software. The instrument automatically corrects baseline noise and calculates spectral peak shapes at the specified wavelengths of the analyzed elements. A multi-element standard solution was used for calibration. Each analysis was repeated five times, and the arithmetic mean value was calculated. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for each element was required to be within 0.01–1.0%.

Instrumental parameters of the S-200 Perkin Elmer auto dispenser were as follows: generator power – 1500 W, peristaltic pump speed – 1.2 mL/min, argon flow rate – 12–15 L/min, and axial plasma observation point – 0.8 L/min. [7,7015].

Results

During the research, the following macro elements were identified in the composition of the plant root.

Table 1.

The detection range and the detected amount of macro elements in the roots of Arctium tomentosum

The following table provides information on the amount and detection percentage of microelements detected in plant roots.

Table 2.

The detection range and the detected amount of microelements in the roots of Arctium tomentosum

Key findings

The analysis results indicate that the concentrations of elements in the sample vary. Gallium (Ga, 55.3) and zinc (Zn, 15.8) were detected at relatively high levels. Lithium (Li, 3.05), beryllium (Be, 13.5), boron (B, 14.07), scandium (Sc, 3.07), titanium (Ti, 3.27), arsenic (As, 3.07), selenium (Se, 3.27), cobalt (Co, 1.59), nickel (Ni, 1.25), copper (Cu, 1.36), vanadium (V, 1.40), and rubidium (Rb, 1.40) were present at moderate levels. Chromium (Cr, 0.127), manganese (Mn, 0.193), yttrium (Y, 0.193), strontium (Sr, 0.127), and niobium (Nb, 0.149) were detected at low levels. The distribution of these elements reflects the sample's overall mineral composition.

Table 3.

The concentrations of heavy metals and rare elements in the roots of Arctium tomentosum

Discussions. The analysis of the sample provides insights into its elemental composition, revealing significant concentrations of certain elements as well as trace amounts of others. Sodium (Na) was found at 32.1%, exceeding established detection limits. This element is vital for maintaining fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle function. However, excessive sodium intake is linked to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the need for monitoring in dietary contexts. Calcium (Ca) was present at 55.3%, also surpassing detection limits. It is crucial for bone health, muscle contraction, and blood clotting; insufficient calcium can lead to osteoporosis, while excess intake may result in kidney stones, highlighting the importance of balanced consumption. Potassium (K) was detected at 15.8%, falling within a significant range. It plays a critical role in heart function, muscle contractions, and nerve signaling, with imbalances potentially causing serious health issues, including arrhythmias and hypertension. Moderate elements included magnesium (Mg) at 1.59%, which is essential for numerous biochemical reactions, including energy production. A magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue, and cardiovascular complications. Aluminum (Al) was present at 1.25%, typically considered non-toxic at low levels, but excessive exposure has been linked to neurotoxicity and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, warranting caution in environments with high aluminum exposure. Phosphorus (P) was found at 1.36 mg/kg and is crucial for energy production and bone health; imbalances can disrupt calcium metabolism, affecting bone density and overall health. Trace elements included thulium (Tm), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), rhenium (Re), platinum (Pt), and gold (Au), which were detected below established minimum values. While generally not required for human health, some, like gold and platinum, have applications in medical treatments, particularly in oncology. Lutetium (Lu) was at 0.028 and has no significant biological role. Thallium (Tl), detected at 0.020, is toxic and poses health risks even at low levels, potentially causing organ damage. Ytterbium (Yb) was found at 0.183, and while it is moderately low, it is not essential for human health. Bismuth (Bi) at 0.093 is used in medications for gastrointestinal issues, although high concentrations may be toxic. Uranium (U) was present at 0.157; while it has no biological role, exposure can be harmful, causing kidney damage and increasing cancer risk. Significant trace elements included lead (Pb) at 2.11, which is concerning due to its toxicity, particularly in children, as lead exposure can lead to developmental issues, cognitive deficits, and various health problems. Thorium (Th) at 1.36, while less toxic than uranium, can still pose health risks, particularly in occupational settings. Overall, the findings indicate a broad spectrum of elemental composition, with sodium and calcium being the most prominent. The presence of trace elements, particularly lead and thorium at higher concentrations, warrants further investigation regarding their health implications. The low concentrations of certain heavy metals suggest that contamination levels are within acceptable ranges, but ongoing monitoring is advisable.

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