# Mineral Composition of _Chelidonium majus_ L. and Soils in Urban Areas
## 1 Introduction  
Greater eclandine, a perennial herb native to Europe and parts of Asia, has an extended medicinal use dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome. As a medicinal plant, it has attracted the interest of researchers. The results of research on its use in various ailments have been widely published, and, recently, these findings have been summarized in articles [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Traditionally, greater eclandine was valued for its ability to treat a wide range of disorders, and its use spanned many centuries across different cultures. The plant's name is derived from the Greek word chelidon, meaning \"swallow\", as it was believed to bloom when the swallows returned in spring and wither when they left inautumn. This species is also known under many different names [4; 8; 9]. Ancient physicians used its sap to treat cataracts and other eye ailments. During medieval times, greater celandine was a prominent herb in the European pharmacopoeia. In China, _Chelidonium majus_ has been used for centuries to treat liver and digestive disorders and it is also known as a heat-clearing herb [1; 5]. The plant was also combined with other herbs to treat inflammation, abscesses, and various skin problems [6; 8]. Today, greater celandine continues to be used in herbal medicine, though with more caution due to its potential toxicity. Modern scientific studies have explored its bioactive compounds, particularly alkaloids like chelidonine, berberine, and sanguinarine, known for their medicinal effects [2]. _Ch. majus_ is still used for disorders and treatments, such as in the case of liver and gallbladder support [10], digestive tract issues, and gastrointestinal issues [11; 12]. It also has anti-microbial and antiviral effects [1; 4; 13; 14], can be used for skin treatments, and has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties [15; 16]. Although the species has significant potential medicinal properties, it also contains toxic compounds in excessive doses (like coptisine, chelerthrine, sanguinarine, chelidonine, protopine), and the alkaloids in the plant can cause damage to internal organs [4; 5; 6]. The medicinal significance of _Ch. majus_ is strictly connected with its phytochemical profile, which is complex, containing a wide variety of bioactive compounds [5; 17]. The main classes of compounds found in _Ch. majus_ include alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and various other secondary metabolites [2]. _Ch. majus_ is rich in isoquinoline alkaloids (chelidonine, coptisine), flavonoids (quercetin, rutin), phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid), and saponins, which are glycosides with surfactant properties [4; 17; 18; 19; 20], and most studies are devoted to the phytochemistry of _Ch. majus_. _Chelidonium majus_, primarily known for its alkaloids and other organic compounds, also contains various minerals that contribute to its overall medicinal value. These minerals play a key role in metabolic processes and are essential for maintaining normal physiological functions in the body. Studies have determined the concentrations of major and trace elements in various medicinal plant species from different ecological niches, focus-ing on mineral contamination in plant tissues [21; 22; 23] and the physiological significance of Mg, Ca, K, Na, Al, and Fe in the growth and development of medicinal plants [24; 25]. In the case of _Ch. majus_, similar studies were also conducted [8; 9; 26; 27; 28; 29]. The study of the mineral composition of plants and soils is essential for assessing the transfer of metals from soil to plants. The chemical composition of the soil is often mirrored in that of plants. Minerals absorbed and accumulated by plants are transported to the human body through nutrition and play an important role in the physiological processes of organisms [30; 31]. The role and importance of both trace elements and major elements in maintaining health have been known for a long time [26; 32; 33], and their monitoring is recommended, especially if it concerns medicinal plants.