Abstract
Oxidative stress caused by heavy metals (HMs) has been considered as a big threat for the production of crop plants. Several emerging studies recommend that some signaling molecules could help mitigate the adverse effects of HMs. This study tested the interactive effects of H2S, and melatonin MT, on lead (Pb) homeostasis and Pb- induced oxidative injury in safflower seedlings. Seedlings from 21-day-old safflower plants were subjected to 50 μM PbNO3 individually and/or mixed with 100 μM MT and 100 μM NaHS, as H2S donor. The data showed that MT, NaHS, and especially MT+NaHS treatments were able to significantly reduce MDA and H2O2 content and lipoxygenase activity, indicating the important role of MT and H2S in alleviating oxidative stress generated by Pb toxicity. By prompting the activity of enzymes responsible for the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, MT- and NaHS ameliorated the oxidative stress caused by Pb on safflower seedlings. This indicates that H2S and MT can prevent oxidative stress by assisting the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Based on phytochelatin (PC) analysis of safflower plants exposed to Pb stress, MT and NaHS seem to be able to reduce oxidative stress caused by Pb by stimulating metal-binding ligands metabolism. The results of our study suggest that even though H2S and MT alone might ameliorate Pb-induced toxicity in seedlings of safflower plants, their combined action could substantially ameliorate Pb toxicity by reducing Pb absorption and transmission, and reducing oxidative stress.
Published Version
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