**10. Discussion**

Analysis of the present data revealed that Fe was observed with the adequate concentration in all the medicinal plants studied as compared to other trace elements recorded. The highest concentration of the Fe among the studied medicinal plants was found in *vitex nigundo* Linn*.*

Fe is the trace element plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin and oxygenation of red blood cells. It is also important for healthy immune system as well as energy production.

Fe plays an important role on immune system, the use of the medicinal plants in the treatment of skin diseases in the traditional system of medicine may be based on the amounts of Fe present in the plants.

Also, Mn is the important trace elements in immune system for regulation of immune responses of the body due to the breakdown of amino acids, production of energy, and utilization of foods.

Also, Mn is the component of the metalloenzyme manganese superoxide dismutase in the mitochondria and also the important constituent of the mitochondrial antioxidant defense system to give protection from the free radical, which are generated from the injured cells and are harmful to the skin.

Zn is also important element which is required for the metabolism of biochemical reaction in the body. It is found in tissue of plants and animals and plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin by controlling enzymes that are involved in the renewal of cells in our body. The highest concentration of the Zn among the studied medicinal plants was found in *T. foenum-graecum*, that is, 0.411%. Hence, the possible use of these medicinal plants for treating skin diseases in the traditional system of medicine can be understood.

Cu is very well known for the stimulation of immune system to fight against infection, involved in the repairing of injured tissues and promote healing. In addition, Cu is responsible for the formation of the connective tissues like cross linking of collagen and elastin. As Cu affects our immunity, so possess anti-infectant properties, so the presence of the maximum amount of Cu in all the plant samples studied support their role in curing skin diseases by the traditional practitioners in traditional system of medicine. Further, the role of V is limited and plays an important role in the treatment of diabetes, the main important function to provide protection against injury of tissues.

In the present study, Cu was found to be in varying concentrations in all the medicinal plants samples in the range of 0.024% to 0.162% with the highest concentration of Cu recorded again in the *T. foenum-graecum*.

Further, the role of V is limited and plays an important role in the treatment of diabetes, the main important function to provide protection against injury of tissues. Thus, the trace elements like Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu in addition to Co and V are responsible to defend the serious skin infections and diseases.

In this study, ED-XRF technique was used to trace the elemental composition of all the selected plants. It is evident that the elements present in the plant samples played a direct or indirect role in the control and treatment of the skin diseases and disorders.

The results of the current study suggest that the usage of medicinal plants in the traditional system of medicine for curing skin diseases since they are found to contain adequate amount of the Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and V.
