☆ 4.7 Article

Chitosan nanoparticles effectively combat salinity stress by enhancing antioxidant activity and alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (2021)

Journal

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Volume 162, Issue -, Pages 291-300

Publisher

ELSEVIER FRANCE-EDITIONS SCIENTIFIQUES MEDICALES ELSEVIER

DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.03.004

Keywords

Salinity; Chlorophyll; Lipid peroxidation; Alkaloids; Antioxidant enzymes; Gene expression

Funding

Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia [TURSP-2020/143]

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Abstract

Chitosan nanoparticles show significant potential in mitigating salt stress in Catharanthus roseus by activating antioxidant defense system and inducing gene expression, leading to higher alkaloid accumulation and better protection against salinity stress.

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) are non-toxic and biodegradable stimulants of growth and secondary metabolite production, which offer new routes to combat plant stress. Salinity is a common and significant abiotic stress that adversely affects plant growth and development. The possible benefits of CSNPs in salt stress mitigation have not yet been reported in Catharanthus roseus, an important source of anticancer alkaloids. Plants were exposed to 150 mM NaCl as a salt stress treatment, while CSNPs were applied as a foliar spray at 1% concentration. Plant growth was considerably impaired under salt stress conditions; however, CSNPs treatment significantly reversed this effect. Specifically, CSNPs retarded chlorophyll reduction and induced activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Thus, CSNPs alleviated the oxidative stress, indicated by lower levels of malondialdehyde and H2O2, thereby enabling membrane function retention and enhancing salt tolerance. Higher alkaloid accumulation was observed in salt-stressed plants following CSNP spraying than in controls. Interestingly, the expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK3), geissoschizine synthase (GS), and octadecanoid-derivative responsive AP2-domain (ORCA3) genes were significantly elevated in salt-stressed plants sprayed with CSNPs. Overall, CSNP treatment overcame the deleterious effects of salinity in C. roseus by activating the antioxidant defense system, which helps to scavenge reactive oxygen species, and inducing expression of MAPK3, GS, and ORCA3 genes, thus, leading to higher alkaloid accumulation and better protection against salinity stress.

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A vital role of chitosan nanoparticles in improvisation the drought stress tolerance in Catharanthus roseus (L.) through biochemical and gene expression modulation

E. F. Ali, A. M. El-Shehawi, O. H. M. Ibrahim, E. Y. Abdul-Hafeez, M. M. Moussa, F. A. S. Hassan

Summary: This study is the first to demonstrate the use of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) in alleviating drought stress of Catharanthus roseus by enhancing antioxidant potential and gene expression related to alkaloid biosynthesis. CSNPs increased proline accumulation and the activity of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), reducing drought-induced oxidative stress and preserving membrane integrity. Additionally, CSNPs led to increased alkaloid accumulation and upregulated gene expression associated with alkaloid biosynthesis under drought stress.