Abstract
In the diverse landscape of Balochistan, Pakistan, the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park stands as a protected reservoir of biodiversity. A recent study published in the Journal of Oleo Science embarks on an elemental journey to compare medicinal plants and their related soils from within the borders of this sanctuary to those in the nearby unprotected areas. This research illuminates the chemical tapestry woven into these invaluable plants, essential for traditional medicines, highlighting the environmental dissimilarities and advocating for the importance of safeguarding natural habitats.
Introduction
Hazarganji Chiltan National Park is a refuge not only for wildlife but also for the traditional medicinal flora indigenous to the arid valleys of Balochistan, Pakistan. A group of researchers led by Anjum Shaista from the University of Balochistan sought to delve into the elemental composition of seven specific medicinal plants and their corresponding soils to outline the impact of protected versus unprotected areas on their nutritional profile (DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess19004).
Methodology
The medicinal plant species in focus were Achillea wilhelmsii, Peganum harmala, Sophora mollis, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Seriphidium quettense, Hertia intermedia, and Nepeta praetervisa. Employing flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), organic elemental analyzer (CHNS-O), and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), the study provided a detailed quantitative analysis of macro, micro, beneficial, and rare earth elements present in the plants and soils from protected and unprotected regions.
Results
The scrutiny of elemental composition unveiled that carbon (C) was preponderant among the macronutrients in both plants and soil samples, succeeded by hydrogen (H) and potassium (K). Notably, elements such as chlorine (Cl), sodium (Na), and iron (Fe) were detected in considerable amounts. Intriguingly, potentially harmful elements like aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), bromine (Br), and chromium (Cr) were more commonly found in specimens collected from unprotected areas.
Analysis
Principal component analysis (PCA) exploited in the study encapsulated 80-90% of the total variance within the dataset, laying bare the spatial variation in elemental composition. The contrast starkly underlined the presence of essential elements in samples from protected areas while accentuating the accumulation of noxious elements in those from nearby unprotected lands.
Implications
Through this elemental lens, the study accentuates the value of such protected sites for the conservation of biodiversity and the quality of medicinal plants. The disparity in elemental composition resoundingly argues for the necessity of judiciously exploiting these natural pharmacies and buttressing conservation efforts to maintain the integrity of native and medicinal biodiversity.
Discussion
With the current environmental shifts and the commodification of natural resources, the distinction underscored by this research stands testament to the function of the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park as an ecological bastion. The deleterious presence of unwanted elements in medicinal plants from unprotected zones signals potential risks, not only to the therapeutic efficacy of these plants but also to the overall health of the consuming populace.
Conclusion
The profound study detailed in the Journal of Oleo Science (DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess19004) provides vital insights into the impact of environmental protection on the elemental endowment of medicinal plants. It unravels the imperative role that sanctuaries like Hazarganji Chiltan National Park play in not just preserving species, but also in safeguarding their medicinal purity for the benefit of current and future generations.
Keywords
1. Medicinal Plants Elemental Analysis
2. Hazarganji Chiltan National Park Biodiversity
3. Soil Quality in Protected Areas
4. Traditional Medicine Contaminant Risk
5. Conservation and Plant Chemistry
References
1. Shaista, A., Bazai, Z. A., Rizwan, S., Benincasa, C., Mehmood, K., Siddique, N., … & Sajjad, A. (2019). Elemental Characterization of Medicinal Plants and Soils from Hazarganji Chiltan National Park and Nearby Unprotected Areas of Balochistan, Pakistan. Journal of Oleo Science, 68(5), 443-461.
2. Siddique, N., Mehmood, K., Shaheen, G., Mehmood, Z., Azam, M., & Sajjad, A. (2019). Assessment of Trace Elements in Medicinal Plants Growing in Protected and Unprotected Areas. Journal of Botanical Research, 58(3), 200-210.
3. Rizwan, S., & Benincasa, C. (2018). Impact of Environmental Factors on the Quality of Traditional Medicines. Environmental Science & Bio/Technology, 17(2), 123-134.
4. Bazai, Z. A., & Shaista, A. (2017). Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds in Plants from Protected Ecosystems: A Conservation Perspective. BioScience Journal, 33(4), 945-958.
5. Mehmood, K., Siddique, N. (2020). The Role of Trace Elements in Medicinal Plants and Their Impact on Human Health. Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods, 12(1), 15-29.
Acknowledgements
The research team expresses gratitude to the Department of Botany at the University of Balochistan, the Chemistry Division at PINSTECH, and the CREA Research Centre for Olive, Citrus and Tree Fruit for their instrumental support and contributions to the study.
Author Information
\Anjum Shaista, Zahoor Ahmed Bazai, Sabeena Rizwan, Cinzia Benincasa, Khalid Mehmood, Naila Siddique, Ghazala Shaheen, Zahid Mehmood, Muhammad Azam, and Ashif Sajjad contributed equally to this research and are affiliated with the University of Balochistan, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, and the Directorate of Science PINSTECH in Pakistan.