Assessment of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Energy-Stimulating Herbal Drugs Manufactured in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

Having been a common healthcare distress, erectile dysfunction is upsetting the quality of life of men from all walks of life. Along with allopathic therapy, a sizable number of patients opt for energy-stimulating herbal drugs (ESHDs) to treat the ailment. However, a global threat vestige for metal contamination in plant-based drugs at above threshold concentrations. Investigation into metal toxicity through samples from Bangladesh is scarce. Six metals: chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were probed in 25 energy stimulating herbal drug samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (F-AAS). Metal content was below detection limit, 51.86 ± 0.07 ppm for Cr, below detection limit, 7.26 ± 0.07 ppm for Cu, 3.41 ± 0.14 – 59.00 ± 0.09 ppm for Fe, 3.54 ± 0.09 – 26.16 ± 0.04 ppm for Mn, below detection limit to 67.34 ± 0.58 ppm for Pb, and below detection limit 27.79 ± 0.07 ppm for Zn. Exposure assessment found Cr and Pb concentrations in the objectionable limits in 12% and 20% of the samples, respectively. This study signifies concern metal toxicity in ESHDs which demands additional probes in the future for other samples to guarantee safe consumption of the drugs.