The accumulation of metals in Onobrychis viciifolia Scop., their distribution in plant parts, and the impact on the content of phenols and flavonoids as well as antioxidant and genotoxic activity

This research investigated the potentially toxic elements (PTE) content and biological activities of Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. collected from a tailing site and an uncontaminated locality. Concentrations of Mn, Ni, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Cu were determined in soil and plant parts (roots, aerial parts, and inflorescences) using the wet digestion method, followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis. Bioaccumulation (BCF) and translocation (TF) factors were calculated to assess PTE uptake and distribution. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. DNA damage in human lymphocytes treated with plant extracts was assessed using the comet assay. Results revealed significantly higher concentrations of PTE in soil and plant material from the contaminated site compared to the uncontaminated locality. Plants from the contaminated soil exhibited increased bioaccumulation and translocation of PTE. Moreover, the biological activity of the extracts, including antioxidant capacity and genotoxic effects, was influenced by the exposure of plants to PTE, which affected the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Extracts from plants growing in tailing site showed stronger activity compared to those from the uncontaminated locality. This study highlights the adaptive responses of O. viciifolia to PTE-induced stress and provides insights into its potential applications in environmental monitoring and phytopharmacology.