year 25, Issue 98 (8-2026)
J. Med. Plants 2026, 25(98): 78-91 |
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Keikha R, Mohammadi M. Heavy metals in henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis) from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran: dermal exposure and toxicological risk assessment. J. Med. Plants 2026; 25 (98) :78-91
URL: http://jmp.ir/article-1-3907-en.html
URL: http://jmp.ir/article-1-3907-en.html
1- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
2- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran ,mmohammadi@science.usb.ac.ir
2- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran ,
Abstract: (10 Views)
Background: Lawsonia inermis L., commonly known as henna has been used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes since ancient times. Objective: This study evaluated the potential health risks associated with arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in henna leaves collected from Dalgan and Iranshahr, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. Methods: Twenty samples were collected from each site and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES; PerkinElmer Optima DV 2000). Hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) values for dermal exposure were calculated, and statistical analysis performed using SPSS (P < 0.05). Results: Heavy metal concentrations were higher in samples from Iranshahr compared to Dalgan. Zinc levels reached 41.9 ± 18.10 µg/g in Iranshahr and 33.2 ± 8.98 µg/g in Dalgan, while lead concentrations were 1.05 ± 0.62 µg/g and 0.7 ± 0.30 µg/g, respectively. Mean arsenic concentrations exceeded international standards, measuring 6.2 ± 2.51 µg/g in Iranshahr and 3.07 ± 1.39 µg/g in Dalgan. All henna samples exceeded the WHO recommended limit for arsenic, with 45% of Dalgan and 90% of Iranshahr samples surpassing the Canadian threshold. Nevertheless, dermal HQ values for all metals and the total HI remained below 1, indicating low non-carcinogenic risk, and dermal CR values for arsenic and lead were negligible. Conclusion: Although henna use poses minimal immediate health risks, prolonged exposure to elevated arsenic, particularly in Iranshahr, may be detrimental. Quality control measures are therefore essential to ensure that heavy metal concentrations in medicinal plants remain within regulatory limits.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Medicinal Plants
Received: 2025/04/28 | Accepted: 2026/08/18 | Published: 2026/08/29
Received: 2025/04/28 | Accepted: 2026/08/18 | Published: 2026/08/29
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