⚠ Official Notice: www.ijisrt.com is the official website of the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT) Journal for research paper submission and publication. Please beware of fake or duplicate websites using the IJISRT name.



Heavy Metal Infiltration and Its Effect on the Liver Upon Intake of Markerted Herbal Supplements in Nigeria


Authors : Arit Okechukwu Nwogu; E. O. Anyalebechi; I. Elekima

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4mkaaau5

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/mumnuh87

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1392

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Herbal supplements are slowly becoming g an important part of primary healthcare worldwide with a lot of persons coming down with hepatotoxic disease of the liver. This study aims to provide a significant correlation between increased concentrations of toxic heavy metals in marketed herbal supplement in Port Harcourt and liver cells and tissues This study evaluated the hepatotoxic activity and heavy metal content of some marketed herbal supplements (Deep Seed, Omega Roots, and Jalin Herbal) in Port Harcourt which were analysed for heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Arsenic and Mercury). Sixty-six (66) albino rats, weighing 150g were randomly selected and acclimatised, after which they were grouped into different treatment groups. All treatments were administered orally once daily for 28 days. After this administration period, blood and liver tissue samples were obtained and used for the analysis of liver function parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, total protein, and albumin) using spectrophotometric methods.

Keywords : Heavy Metal, Infiltration, Liver, Marketed, Herbal Supplements.

References :

  1. Alharbi, S. F., Althbah, A. I., Mohammed, A. H., Alrasheed, M. A., Ismail, M., Allemailem, K. S. & Alkhalifah, A. (2024). Microbial and heavy metal contamination in herbal medicine: a prospective study in the central region of Saudi Arabia. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), 3-6.
  2. Apiamu, A., Avwioroko, O.J., Evuen, U.F. et al. Exposure to Nickel–Cadmium Contamination of Drinking Water Culminates in Liver Cirrhosis, Renal Azotemia, and Metabolic Stress in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 202, 1628–1643 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-023-03777-y
  3. Arit Okechukwu Nwogu, Davies G. Tamuno-Emine, Adline E.Ben-Chioma, Ebirien-Agana Samuel Bartimaeus. Evaluation of the hepatotoxic effect of some commonly sold male herbal fertility supplements in Port Harcourt on male albino rats. Int J Health Sci Res. 2023; 13(9):194-200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230928
  4. Arit Okechukwu Nwogu, Onengiyeofori Ibama and Ebirien-Agana Samuel Bartimaeus. (2025). Evaluation of Heavy Metal Contamination and Antioxidant Efficacy of Polyherbal Male Fertility Supplements in Lead-Acetate-Induced Albino Rats. Sokoto Journal of Medical Laboratory Science; 10(2):139 – 146. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sokjmls.v10i2.16
  5. Erlinger S., Arias I. M., Dhumeaux D. Inherited disorders of bilirubin transport and conjugation: New insights into molecular mechanisms and consequences. Gastroenterology. 2014;146(7):1625–1638. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.01.046
  6. Fawehinmi, A. B., Hassan Lawal, E. U. Chimezie A. T. Ola-Adedoyin, and C.O Ahonsi. 2024. “Determination of  Heavy Metal Contamination of Some Commercially Available Herbal Preparations in Nigeria”. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International 36 (8):46-54. https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2024/v36i87557
  7. Fontana, R.J.; Liou, I.; Reuben, A.; Suzuki, A.; Fiel, M.I.; Lee, W.; Navarro, V. AASLD practice guidance on drug, herbal, and dietary supplement-induced liver injury. Hepatology 2023, 77, 1036–1065. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  8. Huang YS, Chang TT, Peng CY, Lo GH, Hsu CW, Hu CT, Huang YH. Herbal and dietary supplement-induced liver injury in Taiwan: comparison with conventional drug-induced liver injury. Hepatol Int. 2021 Dec;15(6):1456-1465. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10241-3. Epub 2021 Aug 11. PMID: 34382132.
  9. International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) (1992). Cadmium. Environmental Health Criteria 134. World Health Organisation. Geneva. http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc134.htm
  10. Kalas MA, Chavez L, Leon M, Taweesedt PT, Surani S. Abnormal liver enzymes: A review for clinicians. World J Hepatol 2021; 13(11): 1688-1698 [PMID: 34904038 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i11.1688]
  11. Lorke, D. (1983). A new approach to practical acute toxicity testing. Archives of Toxicology, 54 (4), 275-287.
  12. Luo, L., Wang, B., Jiang, J., Huang, Q., Yu, Z., Li, H., Zhang, J., Yang, C., Zhang, H., Dong, L. & Chen, S. (2021). Heavy metal contamination in herbal medicines: determination, comprehensive risk assessments, and solutions. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11(595335), 7-16.
  13. Mahmudi, M., Annisa, M., Farida, M., Yusuf, M., Azhari, S. & Fachrunniza, Y. (2023). Assessing heavy metal contamination in traditional herbal medicine (JAMU) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Grimsa Journal of Science Engineering and Technology, 1(1), 35-39.
  14. Mazumser, S., Bhattachanrya, D., Lahiri, D., Nag, M., Maity, S., Raja, C., Sharma, S., Dwivedi, SP., Rajeev, M. & Kadirov, I. (2026). Lead and cadmium induced toxicity under prolonged low-dose exposure: Food chain source, Molecular Mechanism Signaling cascade and health implications. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 10.1002/jat.70136. Epub ahead of print.
  15. Navarro VJ, Barnhart H, Bonkovsky HL, Davern T, Fontana RJ, Grant L, Reddy KR, Seeff LB, Serrano J, Sherker AH, Stolz A, Talwalkar J, Vega M, Vuppalanchi R. Liver injury from herbals and dietary supplements in the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Hepatology. 2014 Oct;60(4):1399-408. doi: 10.1002/hep.27317. Epub 2014 Aug 25. PMID: 25043597; PMCID: PMC4293199.
  16. Navarro VJ. Supplement-Induced Liver Injury. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2017 Apr;13(4):245-247. PMID: 28546798; PMCID: PMC5441028.
  17. Nwogu, A. O., Sunday, O. E., Odinga, T.-B., Homa, C. P., Nyebuchi, J., Okwuchi, A. E., & Akuru, U. B. (2024). Evaluation of the ameliorative potential of some fertility herbal supplements on male fertility hormones and semen parameters of lead acetate-induced toxicity in albino rats. Trends in Medical Research, 19(1), 103–111.
  18. Nwokediuko S.C., Osuala P.C., Uduma U.V., Alaneme A.K., Onwuka C.C., Mesigo C. Pattern of liver disease admissions in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Niger. J. Clin. Pract. 2013;16:339–342. doi: 10.4103/1119-3077.113458. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Paar, M., Fengler, V.H., Rosenberg, D.J. et al. Albumin in patients with liver disease shows an altered conformation. Commun Biol 4, 731 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02269-w
  20. Phang-Lyn, S. & Llerena, V. A. (2023, August 14). Biochemistry, biotransformation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544353/
  21. Ramakrishnan, N., Bittar, K., & Jialal, I. Impaired bilirubin conjugation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Last updated: September 12, 2022. Available from: Europe PMC. Europe PMC link: https://europepmc.org/books/n/statpearls/article-18282/
  22. Reitman, S. & Frankel, S. (1957) A colorimetric method for determination of serum glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamic pyruvate transaminase. American. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 28, 56-58.
  23. Šuk, J., Jašprová, J., Biedermann, D., Petrásková, L., Valentová, K., Křen, V., Muchová, L., & Vítek, L. Isolated silymarin flavonoids increase systemic and hepatic bilirubin concentrations and lower lipoperoxidation in mice. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2019;2019:6026902. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6026902 PMCID: PMC6390243 PMID: 30891115
  24. Vinogradova, N., Glukhov, A., Chaplygin, V., Kumar, P., Mandzhieva, S., Minkina, T. & Rajput, V. D. (2023). The content of heavy metals in medicinal plants in various environmental conditions: a review. Horticulturae, 9(2), 239.
  25. World Health Organization (WHO) (2006). Supplementary guidelines on good manufacturing practices for the manufacture of herbal medicine. Geneva.
  26. World Health Organization. (2013). WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014-2023. Retrieved from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/92455
  27. Zhang, L.; Niu, M.; Wei, A.-W.; Tang, J.-F.; Li, P.-Y.; Song, D.; Bai, Z.-F.; Liu, Y.-P.; Xiao, X.-H.; Wang, J.-B. Clinical correlation between serum cytokines and the susceptibility to Polygonum multiflorum-induced liver injury and an experimental study. Food Funct. 2022, 13, 825–833. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  28. Zheng EX, Navarro VJ. Liver injury from herbal, dietary, and weight loss supplements: a review. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2015;3(2):93–98. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2015.00006. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Herbal supplements are slowly becoming g an important part of primary healthcare worldwide with a lot of persons coming down with hepatotoxic disease of the liver. This study aims to provide a significant correlation between increased concentrations of toxic heavy metals in marketed herbal supplement in Port Harcourt and liver cells and tissues This study evaluated the hepatotoxic activity and heavy metal content of some marketed herbal supplements (Deep Seed, Omega Roots, and Jalin Herbal) in Port Harcourt which were analysed for heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Arsenic and Mercury). Sixty-six (66) albino rats, weighing 150g were randomly selected and acclimatised, after which they were grouped into different treatment groups. All treatments were administered orally once daily for 28 days. After this administration period, blood and liver tissue samples were obtained and used for the analysis of liver function parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, total protein, and albumin) using spectrophotometric methods.

Keywords : Heavy Metal, Infiltration, Liver, Marketed, Herbal Supplements.

Paper Submission Last Date
30 - June - 2026

SUBMIT YOUR PAPER CALL FOR PAPERS
Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe