Modulation in arsenic-induced lipid catabolism in Glycine max using proline, 24-epibrassinolide and diphenylene iodonium

Proline, 24-epibrassinolide and diphenylene iodonium are few of the novel antioxidant molecules, involved in growth regulation and abiotic stress tolerance of plants. However, these are scarcely explored in relation to their role in arsenic stress tolerance. Therefore, present study was designed to investigate the involvement of proline, 24-epibrassinolide and diphenylene iodonium in conferring tolerance to Glycine max L. against arsenic toxicity. The results showed that arsenic caused decrease in growth attributes like germination percentage, radicle length and dry mass, which were accompanied by the accumulation of arsenic. The application of arsenic steeply reduced total lipid content while increased the levels of oxidative stress markers such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, free fatty acid, conjugated diene, lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and the activities of lipase and lipoxygenase. Impressively, proline, 24-epibrassinolide and diphenylene iodonium played their roles as protective agents, and caused enhanced growth and reduced arsenic accumulation. These protective molecules enhanced the total lipid content while reduced the levels of oxidative stress markers and activities of lipase and lipoxygenase. The results indicated that proline, 24-epibrassinolide and diphenylene iodonium served as potential inhibitors of As-induced oxidative stress in Glycine max L.