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Maybin Kalubula

Maybin Kalubula

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Title: Determination of toxic heavy metals and carcinogens in ‘insunko’ Zambian herb: An important Public Health issue.

Biography

Biography: Maybin Kalubula

Abstract

Background

There has emerged an herb in Zambia called ‘insunko’ which is widely used for snuffing while females also use it vaginally to make their private part tight and warm during sexual intercourse. The consumption of ‘insunko’ Zambian herb, which has an unknown chemical composition, has brought mixed feelings among many Zambians. This study therefore aimed at determining toxicity and carcinogenicity of ‘insunko’ Zambian herb.

Methods

Samples were collected from six of the ten provinces of Zambia namely; Eastern, Lusaka, Luapula, Muchinga, Copperbelt and North Western between 4th December 2017 and 4th February 2018 after ethical clearance from the National Health Research Authority of Zambia ‘Insunko’ Zambian herb was sampled by way of purchasing from Chipata, Lusaka, Mpika, Mwense, Kitwe and Solwezi (n = 6). ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) was used for toxic heavy metals analysis. 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑐 risk = CDIing× ðµð´ð¹ × ð‘†ð¿ð¹; 𝐻𝑎𝑧𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 (𝐻𝐼) = C DIing × 𝐵𝐴𝐹. 𝑅𝑓D0

Results

Toxic heavy metals have been detected in ‘insunko’ Zambian herb in high concentration. The Mean concentration ± SD in mg kg-1 was; Arsenic = 0.07 ± 0.04, Cadmium = 0.13 ± 0.05, Cobalt = 0.49 ± 0.27, Chromium = 1.46 ± 1.04, Copper = 5.58 ± 2.91, Manganese = 77.05 ± 35.29, Nickel = 0.91 ± 0.52 and Lead = 0.79 ± 1.22. Hazard Index for Chromium, Manganese, Copper and Arsenic was greater than one (HI > 1) implying that these heavy metals are toxic and carcinogenic to consumers of ‘insunko’ Zambian herb.

Conclusions

‘Insunko’ Zambian herb is toxic and carcinogenic as in contains toxic and carcinogenic heavy metals in high concentration. These toxic metals cause cancers, GIT disorders, degenerative, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, neurologic and cognitive problems as well as male infertility. The ministry of health, ministry of agriculture and drug enforcement commission should take up the challenge and protect the ignorant users of ‘insunko’ Zambian herb.