Keywords
mineral elements
X-ray fluorescence
sterility
Democratic Republic of the Congo
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction
Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to impregnate a woman. It is a public health issue among men of reproductive age. Certain minerals, such as zinc, selenium, iron, and magnesium, are essential to produce healthy sperm and for maintaining male reproductive function. Medicinal plants containing these minerals can improve sperm quality and increase the chances of conception in men suffering from infertility.
Purpose
The aim of this research was to analyze the elemental composition of four medicinal plants traditionally used for their aphrodisiac properties, with a particular emphasis on their application in the treatment of male sterility.
Methods
The mineral content of selected plants was assessed by X-ray fluorescence using Energy Dispersive XRF Spectrometer (EDXRF).
Results
The findings reveal significant concentrations of various minerals in the studied medicinal plants, providing crucial information about their elemental composition. Thirty mineral elements were identified, including six macro elements (Na, Mg, P, S, K, Ca), 15 micro elements (Al, Si, Mn, Ni, Cu, Mo, Pb, Ti, V, Cr, Hg, Br, Rb, Sr, and Cd), three important elements in the diet of spermatozoa (Fe, Zn, Mg), and seven non-relevant elements. These results can have direct implications for the medicinal properties of the plants, especially in the context of treating male sterility.
Conclusions
Among the selected medicinal plants, Mondia whitei is rich in minerals as evidenced by principal component analysis (PCA) and could potentially contribute to improving overall health and indirectly promoting male fertility. the
References
Borges, C.S., Weindorf, D.C., Carvalho, G.S., Guilherme, L.R.G., Takayama, T., Curi, N., Lima, G.J.E.O., Ribeiro, B.T. (2020). Foliar Elemental Analysis of Brazilian Crops via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. Sensors (Basel) 20(9), 2509. doi: 10.3390/s20092509.
Bruno, L., & Frédéric, A., (2016). Analyse des éléments minéraux, par la fluorescence X à la reflection totale, dans l’Euphorbia hetrophylla (Pakabe) d’Antalaha. Am.J.Innov.res appl sci, 1(1), 150-156.
Djolu, R. D., Ngbolua, K. N., Iteku, J. B., Masengo, C. A., Tshilanda, D. D., Mpiana, P. T. (2023). Profil phytochimique, pharmaco-biologique et cytotoxique des feuilles de Uvariodendron molundense (Annonaceae). Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires, 11(2), 224-235.
Dos Anjos, M.J., Lopes, R.T., de Jesus, E.F.O., Assis, J.T., Cesareo, R., & Barradas, C.A.A. (2000). Quantitative analysis of metals in soil using X-ray fluorescence. Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, 55 (7), 1189-1194.
Eberhart, J.-P. (1997). Analyse structurale et chimique des matériaux. Dunod, ISBN: 2-10-003367-0.
Latham, M.C. (2001). La nutrition dans les pays en développement. FAO, ISBN : 92-5-203818-3.
Kabuyi, M. K., Kapepula, P. M., Kabengele, J. K., Moni, B., Makengo, G., Mungitshi, P. M., ... & Fundu, T. M. (2017). Selenium content and antioxidant potential of some edible wild mushrooms from Bandundu Area, DR Congo. Natural Resources, 8(02), 103.
Kitadi, J M., Inkoto, C.L., Tshibangu, S.T., Tshilanda, D.D., Kalulu, T., Kawata P., Ngbolua, K.N., & Mpiana, P.T. (2022). Teneur en éléments minéraux et activité antifalciforme de Cyttaranthus congolensis et Hypoxis angustifolia traditionnellement utilisés pour traiter la drépanocytose dans la province du Kwilu, en République Démocratique du Congo. Journal Internationnal de recherche et de revue de Biochimie, 31(10), 81-99.
Kitadi, J.M. (2021). Détermination de la teneur en éléments minéraux et de l’activité anti-drépanocytaire des plantes médicinales utilisées dans la province du Kwilu (RD Congo). Thèse de : Doctorat, Faculté des Sciences : Université de Kinshasa, République démocratique du Congo.
Kitadi, J. M., Inkoto, C. L., Lengbiye, E. M., Tshibangu, D. S., Tshilanda, D. D., Ngbolua, K. N., Taba , K.M., Mbala , B.M., Schmitz, B. & Mpiana, P. T. (2019). Antisickling activity and mineral content of Hura crepitans L., Alternanthera bettzichiana (regle) G. Nicholson and Dissotis brazzae cogn, plants used in the management of sickle cell disease in Kwilu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 6(12), 79-83.
Loth, B. (2014). Applications de la spectrométrie de fluorescence X à l’analyse et la caractérisation des matériaux. Mémoire de Master, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran-Mohamed, Algérie.
Mallikarjuna, S. E., Ranjini, A., Haware, D. J., Vijayalakshmi, M. R., Shashirekha, M. N., & Rajarathnam, S. (2013). Mineral composition of four edible mushrooms. Journal of Chemistry, https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/805284
Martin, A. G. (2001). Caractérisation expérimentale des matériaux II, Analyse par rayons X, électrons et neutrons, Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, Lausanne, collection Traité des matériaux, 367 p.
Masengo, C. A., Ngbolua, K. N., Omeonga, S. L., Nzuzi, N. P., Ilumbe, G. B., Mpiana, P. T. (2023a). Étude phytochimique et évaluation de l’activité anti-radicalaire, anti-inflammatoire, anti-drépanocytaire et cytotoxique des feuilles de Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbenaceae). Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires, 11(3), 303-312.
Masengo, C. A., Ngbolua, K. N., Omalanga, J., Inkoto, C. L., Mpiana, P. T., Mudogo, V. (2023b). Profil chromatographique et activité anti-falcémiante, anti-inflammatoire, anti-oxydante et cytotoxique des feuilles de Ficus exasperata. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires, 11(4), 485-494.
Masengo, C.A., Bongo, N.G., Robijaona B., Ilumbe, G.B., Ngbolua, K.N., Mpiana, P.T. (2021a). Etude ethnobotanique quantitative et valeur socioculturelle de Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbenaceae) à Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques & Vétérinaires, 9(1), 93-101.
Masengo, C.A., Inkoto, C.L., Munsebi, J.M., B.L. Mandjo, B.L., Mpiana, P.T., Ngbolua, K.N. (2021b). Connaissance et usages de Quassia africana (Simaroubaceae) par les peuples Mongo, Yaka et Yombe de Kinshasa en République Démocratique du Congo. Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques & Vétérinaires, 9(4), 761-769.
Mendham, J., Denney, R.C., Barnes, J.D., & Thomas, M.J.K. (2005). Analyse chimique quantitative de Vogel. 6ème édition, De Boeck Université.
Mukeba, F., Kapepula, P. M., Bopopi, J. M., Mayangi, M., Kikweta, C., Kitwa, F., Ngbolua, K.N., Mpiana, P. (2020). Selenium content, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-sickling activities of Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild) PG Waterman (Rutaceae). Discovery Phytomedicine-Journal of Natural Products Research and Ethnopharmacology, 7(4), 145-154.
Mulwele, N.F., Ngbolua, K.N., Monizi, M., Masens B.Y.D.M., Fundu M.T., & Mpiana, T.P. (2023). Ethnobotanical, ecological and monographic study of four medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of sterility in Kenge City and its surroundings, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 188, 19868-19884.
Mulwele, F. N., Ngbolua, K. N., Yang, B. D. M. M., & Mpiana, P. T. (2016). Ethno-botanical and ecological studies of plant species used in the treatment of sterility in Kenge city and its surroundings (Province of Kwango, Democratic Republic of the Congo). International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Resarch, 26(2), 600-611.
Ndaba, M. M., Djoza, R. D., Ashande, C. M., Mawi, C. F., Lengbiye, E. M., Liyongo, C. I., Ngbolua, K.N., Mpiana, P. T. (2020). Congolese medicinal plant biodiversity as source of AntiCOVID-19 compounds: economic goods in the light of comparative advantages theory of Ricardo. Budapest International Research in Exact Sciences (BirEx) Journal, 2(3), 298-309.
Ndongo, E. I., Inkoto, C. L., Bongo, G. N., Mulenga, C. M., Ilinga, B. L., Shetonde, O. S., ... & Ngbolua, K. N. (2019). Ethno-Botanical survey and ecological study of medicinal plants traditionally used against erectile dysfunction in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bioscience and Bioengineering, 4(4), 85-91.
Ndongo, E. I., Kamalandua, B. M., Dani, T. M., & Mbala, B. (2023). Screening phytochimique , activités anti-radicalaire et cytotoxique des extraits de quatre plantes utilisées dans la prise en charge de la dysfonction érectile à Mbandaka , République Démocratique du Congo. J. Appl. Biosci., 185, 19504–19523. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35759/JABs.185.11.
Ngbolua, K.N., Rakotoarimanana, H., Rafatro, H., Urverg, R.S., Mudogo, V., Mpiana, P.T., Tshibangu, D.S.T. (2011a). Comparative antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of two Vernonia species: V. amygdalina from the Democratic Republic of Congo and V. cinerea subsp vialis endemic to Madagascar. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 5(1), 345-353.
Ngbolua, K.N., Rafatro, H., Rakotoarimanana, H., Urverg, R.S., Mudogo, V., Mpiana, P.T., Tshibangu, D.S.T. (2011b). Pharmacological screening of some traditionally-used antimalarial plants from the Democratic Republic of Congo compared to its ecological taxonomic equivalence in Madagascar. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 5(5), 1797-1804.
Ngbolua, K.N., Inkoto, L.C., Mongo, L.N., Masengo, A.C., Masens Da-Musa, Y.B., Mpiana, P.T. (2019). Etudes ethnobotanique et floristique de quelques plantes médicinales commercialisées à Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques & Vétérinaires, 7 (1), 118-128.
Ngbolua, K.N., Molongo, M.M., Libwa, M.T.B., Amogu, J.J.D., Kutshi, N.N., Masengo, C.A. (2021). Enquête ethnobotanique sur les plantes sauvages alimentaires dans le Territoire de Mobayi-Mbongo (Nord-Ubangi) en République démocratique du Congo. Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques & Vétérinaires, 9(4), 259-265.
Noël, L., Leblanc, J.C., Guérin, T. (2003). Determination of several elements in duplicate meals from catering establishment using closed vessel microwave digestion with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection: estimation of daily dietary intake. Food additives and contaminants, 20 (1), 44-56.
Parat, M. O., Richard, M. J., Béani, J. C., & Favier, A. (1997). Involvement of zinc in intracellular oxidant/antioxidant balance. Biological trace element research, 60, 187-204.
Patnaik, P. (2004). Dean's analytical chemistry handbook. McGraw-Hill Education. Poumari, M., & Balasubiramanian, K. K. (2017). Evaluation of mineral contents in some medicinal plants used by traditional hearlers. International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2(4), 30-34.
Rahmani, A., Benyaïch, F., Bounakhla, M., Bilal, E., Moutte, J., Gruffat, J.J., & Zahry, F. (2004). Étude comparative des techniques d'analyse par fluorescence X à dispersion d'énergie (ED-XRF) et à dispersion de longueur d'onde (WD-XRF), et par spectrométrie d'émission. Journal de Physique, 118 (1), 447-455.
Rouessac, F.R.A.N., Rouessac, A.M.N.I., & Cruche, D. (2004). Méthodes et techniques instrumentales modernes. Dunod, Paris. ISBN: 9782100796076.
Sykorova, M., Janosova, V., Stroffekova, O., Havranek, E. (2006). Determination of some elements in plant samples by radionucleide X-Ray fluorescence analysis. Acta Facult. Pharm. Univ. Comenianae, 53, 245-252.
Terzano, R., Denecke, M.A., Falkenberg, G., Miller, B., Paterson, D., Janssens, K. (2019). Recent advances in analysis of trace elements in environmental samples by X-ray based techniques (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure Appl Chem., 91(6), 1029-1063. doi: 10.1515/pac-2018-0605.
Tiana, R.H., Voahangilalao, R.L., Andriambololona, R., Rasolofonirina, M. (2003). Application de la fluorescence X à réflexion totale à l’étude des matières particulaires et des métaux lourds de la pollution de l’air dans la ville d’Antananarivo, Madagascar. Pollution atmosphérique, 45(178), 273-283.
Wai, Y.W., Hans, M.W.M.M., Chris, M.G.T., Roelof, M., Gerhard, A.Z., & Steegers-Theunissen, R.P.M. (2002). Effects of folic acid and Zinc sulfate on male factor subfertility : a double –blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Fertility and Sterility, 77(3), 491-498.
Yisa, J., Egila, J.N., & Darlinton, A.O. (2010). Chemical composition of Annona senegalensis from Nupe land, Nigeria. Afr. J. Biotechnol, 9(26), 4106- 4109.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.