Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content

Most endemic plant species have limited altitudinal ranges. At higher altitudes, they are subjected to various environmental stresses. However, these plants use unique defense mechanisms at high altitudes as a convenient survival strategy. The changes in antioxidant defense system and accumulation o...

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Main Authors: Ahmed M. Hashim, Basmah M. Alharbi, Awatif M. Abdulmajeed, Amr Elkelish, Wael N. Hozzein, Heba M. Hassan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/7/869
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author Ahmed M. Hashim
Basmah M. Alharbi
Awatif M. Abdulmajeed
Amr Elkelish
Wael N. Hozzein
Heba M. Hassan
author_facet Ahmed M. Hashim
Basmah M. Alharbi
Awatif M. Abdulmajeed
Amr Elkelish
Wael N. Hozzein
Heba M. Hassan
author_sort Ahmed M. Hashim
collection DOAJ
description Most endemic plant species have limited altitudinal ranges. At higher altitudes, they are subjected to various environmental stresses. However, these plants use unique defense mechanisms at high altitudes as a convenient survival strategy. The changes in antioxidant defense system and accumulation of different secondary metabolites (SMs) were investigated as depending on altitude in five endemic endangered species (<i>Nepeta septemcrenata</i>,<i> Origanum syriacum </i>subsp.<i> Sinaicum</i>,<i> Phlomis aurea</i>,<i> Rosa arabica</i>, and<i> Silene schimperiana</i>) naturally growing in Saint Katherine protectorate (SKP). Leaves were collected from different sites between 1600 and 2200 m above sea level to assess the biochemical and physiological variations in response to high altitudes. At higher altitudes, the soil pH and micronutrient soil content decreased, which can be attributed to lower mineralization processes at lower pH. Total phenols, ascorbic acid, proline, flavonoids, and tannins increased in response to different altitudes. SMs progressively increased in the studied species, associated with a significant decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity. <i>R. arabica,</i> as the most threatened plant, showed the maximum response compared with other species. There was an increase in photosynthetic pigments, which was attained via the increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents. There was a significant increase in total soluble sugars and total soluble protein content in response to different altitudes. SDS-PAGE of leaf proteins showed alteration in the protein profile between different species and the same species grown at a different altitude. These five species can adapt to high-altitude habitats by various physiological mechanisms, which can provide a theoretical basis for the future conservation of these endangered endemic species in SKP.
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spelling doaj.art-26a49b466d864b35b51936b81eb5ce772023-11-20T06:16:27ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472020-07-019786910.3390/plants9070869Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites ContentAhmed M. Hashim0Basmah M. Alharbi1Awatif M. Abdulmajeed2Amr Elkelish3Wael N. Hozzein4Heba M. Hassan5Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11865, EgyptBiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk 71421, Saudi ArabiaBiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Umluj 41912, Saudi ArabiaBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, EgyptBioproducts Research Chair, Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11865, EgyptMost endemic plant species have limited altitudinal ranges. At higher altitudes, they are subjected to various environmental stresses. However, these plants use unique defense mechanisms at high altitudes as a convenient survival strategy. The changes in antioxidant defense system and accumulation of different secondary metabolites (SMs) were investigated as depending on altitude in five endemic endangered species (<i>Nepeta septemcrenata</i>,<i> Origanum syriacum </i>subsp.<i> Sinaicum</i>,<i> Phlomis aurea</i>,<i> Rosa arabica</i>, and<i> Silene schimperiana</i>) naturally growing in Saint Katherine protectorate (SKP). Leaves were collected from different sites between 1600 and 2200 m above sea level to assess the biochemical and physiological variations in response to high altitudes. At higher altitudes, the soil pH and micronutrient soil content decreased, which can be attributed to lower mineralization processes at lower pH. Total phenols, ascorbic acid, proline, flavonoids, and tannins increased in response to different altitudes. SMs progressively increased in the studied species, associated with a significant decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity. <i>R. arabica,</i> as the most threatened plant, showed the maximum response compared with other species. There was an increase in photosynthetic pigments, which was attained via the increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents. There was a significant increase in total soluble sugars and total soluble protein content in response to different altitudes. SDS-PAGE of leaf proteins showed alteration in the protein profile between different species and the same species grown at a different altitude. These five species can adapt to high-altitude habitats by various physiological mechanisms, which can provide a theoretical basis for the future conservation of these endangered endemic species in SKP.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/7/869altitudinal variationantioxidant activitybioactive compoundsendemic speciesoxidative damage
spellingShingle Ahmed M. Hashim
Basmah M. Alharbi
Awatif M. Abdulmajeed
Amr Elkelish
Wael N. Hozzein
Heba M. Hassan
Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content
Plants
altitudinal variation
antioxidant activity
bioactive compounds
endemic species
oxidative damage
title Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content
title_full Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content
title_fullStr Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content
title_full_unstemmed Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content
title_short Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content
title_sort oxidative stress responses of some endemic plants to high altitudes by intensifying antioxidants and secondary metabolites content
topic altitudinal variation
antioxidant activity
bioactive compounds
endemic species
oxidative damage
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/7/869
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