Phytochemical Composition and Heavy Metals Analysis of Crude Ethanolic Extract of Geranium wallichianum, Elaeagnus parvifolia, and Taraxacum officinale

Abstract

Background: The aim of this research was to determine heavy-metal and phytoconstituent contents of Geranium wallichianum, Elaeagnus parvifolia, and Taraxacum officinale. Methods: An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to evaluate heavy metals in the ethanolic extract of plant crude powder. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were quantified using standard colorimetric phytochemical assays. Results: Iron was detected in all three selected medicinal plants, while copper was detected in Elaeagnus parvifolia and Geranium wallichianum and was not detected in Taraxacum officinale. Available heavy-metal concentrations are summarized in Table 2. Crude extracts of Geranium wallichianum, Elaeagnus parvifolia, and Taraxacum officinale yielded total phenolic contents of 10.2 ± 0.051, 34 ± 0.17, and 5.6 ± 0.028, whereas the total flavonoid concentrations were 31.31 ± 0.119, 60.52 ± 0.23, and 32.10 ± 0.122, respectively. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the selected medicinal plants contain measurable heavy metals and a range of secondary metabolites.