Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the regulatory effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the growth, photosynthesis, biochemical properties, leaf anatomy and Rubisco gene expression in Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea, a slow-growing medicinal herb. Results showed that 20-mM H2O2 treatment increased plant height, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content of the plants by 10%, 20%, 127% and 57%, respectively, than a control plant. In addition, 20 mM H2O2 treatment significantly increased the carotene, total phenolic, total flavonoid and total sugar content than the control plant. The applications of H2O2 did not produce any negative effects on the leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, quantum yield or antioxidant activity of F. deltoidea plants. In regard to leaf anatomy, it was observed that the applications of H2O2 at 15 mM significantly improved cellular structure, leaf veins and promoted cell proliferation. Treated leaves developed a palisade layer, thickened leaf surface, the widest stomatal openings and a well-developed vascular bundle when compared to the control plant. Employing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the study showed that the Rubisco gene was expressed at a higher level in 15 mM H2O2 treatments than in 20 mM H2O2 treatments. The results indicate that H2O2 increased the Rubisco expression ratio up to 16-fold when compared to the untreated plants. It was conclusive that spraying 15 mM and 20 mM H2O2 twice a week enhanced growth, photosynthesis, the stomatal aperture, improved leaf anatomy and helped to regulate the expression of the Rubisco gene.
Highlights
Ficus deltoidea Jack, commonly known as Mas Cotek derived from the Moraceae family, has received much attention in Malaysia and has become an international favorite due to its therapeutic properties and nutritional benefits
This study shows that H2 O2 treatments promote growth in the number of leaves of Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea
The plants with 20 mM H2 O2 treatments had the highest height, which was 10% higher than the control plant (Table 1)
Summary
Ficus deltoidea Jack, commonly known as Mas Cotek derived from the Moraceae family, has received much attention in Malaysia and has become an international favorite due to its therapeutic properties and nutritional benefits. The species can be found in Malaysia, Africa, Thailand, Hawaii, Indonesia and Southern Philippines [1]. F. deltoidea can be used to treat postpartum depression, assists in the contraction of muscles of the uterus and helps heal the uterus and vaginal canal, after birth [2]. This study further describes that F. deltoidea is widely used in controlling blood pressure, sexual desire and assisting womb recovery after delivery. It is used to regulate cholesterol levels in obese patients and to suppress blood sugar levels in hypertension patients. Other common uses are as a migraine reliever, for toxin removal, for deferring menopause in women, reducing nausea, for joint
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