Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
The herbal drugs can act as a source for cadmium (Cd) contamination in human beings. Salvia officinalis, being a common herb with a wide range of applications in medicine and culinary fields, can be polluted with cadmium during agricultural practices. This study examines the effects of different concentrations of Cd exposure on S. officinalis, with a particular emphasis on vegetative and biochemical parameters, over a period of 30 to 90 days. The accumulation studies noted that roots have the maximum Cd content (21.43 mg/kg) compared to shoots. Results show a significant decrease in a number of plant health parameters, such as fresh and dry weight (41% and 44%), leaf count (30%), shoot length (41%), and root length (49%), in the Cd -exposed plants. Furthermore, there is a noticeable toxicity brought on by cadmium, as evidenced by the 8.7-fold increase in malondialdehyde and 18% reduction in chlorophyll levels compared to the control plants. Proline, phenol, flavonoids, total protein, and carbohydrates, as well as the antioxidant enzymes catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, are all comparably higher in Cd treated plants, suggesting that it is adapting and may be able to offset the negative effects of Cd stress. Moreover, rosmarinic acid has a major reduction of 91% in response to 200 ppm Cd for 90 days, raising the possibility that this could have implications for the plant's medicinal properties. This study underscores the intricate response of Sage plants to Cd stress, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms. In order to mitigate the detrimental effects of heavy metal contamination on plant ecosystems, future research should focus on clarifying the distinct responses seen at different Cd concentrations and exposure times.