Study of Some Micronutrients in Selected Medicinal Plants

Momordica charantia, Eugenia Jambolanum, Allium Sativum and Trigonella foenum graecum are commonly used vegetables and seeds. For several decades, these food materials have been successfully applied to some aspects of primary health care [1-3], especially as anti-hyperglycemic agents. Gymnema sylvestre and Adiantum Capillus Veneris are also some of a few very commonly used anti-diabetic plant products. These medicinal plants are extensively studied, but, in terms of organic constituents, however, their metal contents may play important roles. These species were selected to investigate their metals content, specifically, those which have a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism. Chromium, iron, manganese and zinc were investigated for this study. The level of the various metals was generally low and within statutory limits. Trigonella foenum-graecum was found to be the most suitable of all.