Evaluation of antioxidant changes in the medicinal plant (Conyza canadensis) under cerium and zinc nano-elicitors

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 M.Sc., Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

4 Professor, Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Elicitors are among the most effective strategies for enhancing secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of abiotic elicitors on antioxidant activity and total protein content in different tissues of Conyza canadensis. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments included cerium dioxide and zinc dioxide solutions at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/L, applied through irrigation, while water served as the control. After three consecutive treatment periods, plant samples from root, stem, and leaf tissues were collected to determine total soluble protein and antioxidant enzyme levels. Analysis of variance revealed that the treatments had significant effects on total protein content and antioxidant enzyme activity across all three tissue types. Cerium dioxide and zinc dioxide notably increased total protein levels in leaf tissue compared to the control, but no significant changes were observed in root and stem tissues. Both elicitors enhanced catalase (CAT) activity in stem and leaf tissues, while the highest ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was observed in root tissue under zinc dioxide treatment. Both elicitors increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity but significantly reduced peroxidase (POX) activity in all tissues. Additionally, cerium dioxide and zinc dioxide treatments led to a decrease in glutathione reductase (GR) activity in root, stem, and leaf tissues relative to the control, with a more pronounced reduction under cerium dioxide treatment. The highest glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was detected in root tissue treated with zinc dioxide, while the lowest level was recorded in the control.

Keywords

References

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Advanced Research in Medicinal Plants
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 4
November 2025
Pages 69-82

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 30 November 2025

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