THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS AND UV-VIS RADIATION ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as a source of traditional remedies due to their bioactive compounds, which include flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic acids. These compounds confer a range of therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities (Atanasov et al., 2015). However, the quality and efficacy of these bioactive compounds can be significantly influenced by environmental factors, including exposure to heavy metals and UV-visible (UV-Vis) radiation (Bourgaud et al., 2001). Heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), can accumulate in medicinal plants grown in polluted environments, thereby altering their phytochemical composition. These metals have been shown to induce oxidative stress in plants, which can enhance or degrade certain phytochemicals (Nagajyoti et al., 2010). Meanwhile, UV-Vis radiation, particularly in the UV-B range (280-315 nm), has been documented to cause both protective and detrimental effects on plant compounds, leading to alterations in their phytochemical profiles (Agati et al., 2013). The synergistic interaction between heavy metals and UV-Vis radiation in altering the phytochemical composition of medicinal plants is not fully understood. This study will focus on five medicinal plants (Ipomoea alba, Indigofera simplicifolia, Musa sapientum, Barbina grandiflora, and Sida rhombifolia) to evaluate the combined effects of heavy metal exposure and UV-Vis radiation on their bioactive compounds. These plants are known for their medicinal properties and are commonly used in traditional medicine across different cultures (Siddiqui et al., 2017).