Safety Evaluation of Centaurea behen Linn.: A Comprehensive Study

Background

Herbal medicines hold significant importance in traditional healthcare practices. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 70-80% of the world's population relies on traditional remedies to meet their healthcare requirements. Herbs are commonly used for both treatment and prevention of various diseases. However, growing interest in herbal products has raised concerns about their safety. While often perceived as harmless due to their natural origin, instances of toxicity and adverse effects have been reported. As per WHO guidelines, it is essential to conduct safety assessments of herbal medicines and food products to identify potential risks arising from environmental or soil contaminants.

Materials and Methods

Plants are prone to contamination by harmful substances. This study involved evaluating the safety profile of Centaurea behen Linn from the Asteraceae family by analyzing microbial load, heavy metal content through Atomic Mass Spectroscopy (AMS), aflatoxins via Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and pesticide residues using Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Results

Findings revealed that heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic were within acceptable limits as outlined by WHO standards. Furthermore, no Aflatoxins, pesticide residues, or microbial contamination were detected in the crude drug sample.

Conclusion

The safety evaluation indicates that Centaurea behen Linn. is safe for use, with no evidence of toxicity risks.