Origanum species have been used as spices as well as for protection and treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine for thousands of years [1]. Aerial parts of Origanum species are used as diuretic, antitussive, antineuralgic and for improving stomach function and bronchial secretion.  Origanum species, native to Cyprus, are also traditionally used against common cold and fever, and for spasmolytic actions and antirheumatic purposes via external application [2].

Origanum sipyleum, native to western Anatolia, where it is widely used as a spice and against gastrointestinal disorders and cough. This perennial plant, commonly known as “bayırçayırı”, have been used as a medicinal tea, food additive and for the production of essential oil [3,4].

Plants assimilate elements dissolved in water through their roots. In addition to purity, safety and efficacy assessments, a part of quality control studies on medicinal plant is the detection and quantification of heavy metals. Medicinal plants are taken in different forms such as teas, capsules, syrups and tablets containing ground or powdered form of pharmaceutical materials. Extracts prepared with different solvents are also used as active ingredients.

In the present work, the aim is to obtain a better understanding of the medicinal and nutritive composition of O. sipyleum, including heavy metals and trace elements, of the powdered plant material and water extract, using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.

The aerial parts of Origanum sipyleum were collected from Spil Mountain, Manisa, Turkey. Dr Cenk Durmuşkahya from İzmir Katip Çelebi University authenticated the plant material and a voucher specimen (no. 1445) was deposited in the herbarium of Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University.

The aerial parts were collected, air-dried and ground into fine powder. Both the powdered plant material and the water extract prepared as a 2 % infusion, were analysed for heavy metals and trace element using SPectro IQ II instrument equipped with dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology at a resolution of 145 eV at 10,000 pulses for the SDD detector. Bragg crystal polarized the primary beam and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was the target; other conditions include a duration of 300 s at a voltage of 25 kV and 50 kV, 1 mA helium atmosphere and 0.5 and 1.0 mA current.

It was observed that O. sipyleum aerial parts and its water extract contain significant values of elements. The results are shown in . Major elements such as K, Ca and Na, known as macronutrients, are detected at levels of 11990, 10490 and 970 ppm in the powdered drug and 8910, 2991 and 810 (ppm) in the water extract, respectively. Except for trace elements such as Zn, Cu, Br, Mo, Mn and Ag, heavy metal contents were higher in the water extract than in the powdered material. The concentrations of toxic elements such as Pb, Cd and As were low in both the powdered material and its water extract. Aluminum also regarded as a toxic element was present at a high concentration in the powdered material but was much lower in the extract. On the other hand, the water extract contained higher levels of Cu and Zn than the powdered drug.

K and Na is crucial for life and also play important roles during excitation and transmission in nerve cells. Ca, which promotes the quality of bones and teeth, also functions in the coagulation process [5,6]. The powdered plant material contained high levels of K (11990 ppm), Na (970 ppm) and Ca (10490 ppm), but were found in lower concentrations in the water extract. Trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Mg, Mn and I, even in minute quantities in medicinal plants can have both curative and toxic effects. Mn, Cu, Cr, and Zn are essential for the effective action of insulin.

Low levels of Zn have been detected in people suffering from diabetes and osteoporosis. The deficiency of this micronutrient is associated with impairment in growth leading to dwarfism [7]. Cu, which acts as a cofactor for a number of oxydase enzymes, plays a major role in Fe metabolism. Cu deficiency results in fragile bones and rupture of major vessels. Fe is an essential element in oxygen and electron transport [8]. Zn and Cu contents were high in the aqueous extract (2832 and 879 ppm), respectively, but Fe level was 74.3 and 44.2 ppm for powdered drug and water extract, respectively.

To the best of our knowledge, thıs ıs the fırst report of the levels of some mineral and trace elements of O. sipyleum and its water extract. It should be useful to also study the levels of these elements of other traditionally used species from the same genus, as it may provide some insight into the therapeutic actions of the plant in various diseases. The findings show that O. sipyleum is a potential source of macro- and micro-nutrients and may be therefore find application as an additive in food and health supplements.