biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)Fu HAbstract Cadmium (Cd) could pose threats to human health by affecting Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) safety. Cd enrichment trait and its effects on the active ingredient synthesis in SM remain unknown. Here we investigated the Cd concentration using ICP-MS-based method, physiologies (contents of malondialdehyde and proline, and activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase [POD], and catalase [CAT]), and LC-MS/MS-based metabolites of SM under 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1 Cd stress. The results revealed that Cd concentrations, as it rose in soil, increased in roots and leaves of SM with transfer factors and bioconcentration factors below 1 in Cd-treated groups; POD and CAT activities and proline content increased and then declined. Amino acids and organic acids (especially d-glutamine [d-Gln], l-aspaOpen life scienceshttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10224630biostudies-literatureEffects of cadmium on the synthesis of active ingredients in Salvia miltiorrhizaPMC10224630Fu HLiu RWang XYuan JfalseEffects of cadmium on the synthesis of active ingredients in Salvia miltiorrhizaAbstract Cadmium (Cd) could pose threats to human health by affecting Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) safety. Cd enrichment trait and its effects on the active ingredient synthesis in SM remain unknown. Here we investigated the Cd concentration using ICP-MS-based method, physiologies (contents of malondialdehyde and proline, and activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase [POD], and catalase [CAT]), and LC-MS/MS-based metabolites of SM under 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1 Cd stress. The results revealed that Cd concentrations, as it rose in soil, increased in roots and leaves of SM with transfer factors and bioconcentration factors below 1 in Cd-treated groups; POD and CAT activities and proline content increased and then declined. Amino acids and organic acids (especially d-glutamine [d-Gln], l-aspa2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2025-05-29T16:22:24.094Z2025-05-29T16:22:24.094ZS-EPMC10224630