Melatonin improves the survival of cryopreserved callus of Rhodiola crenulata

Abstract

An important aspect of the function of melatonin seems to be the mediation of stress caused by environmental and chemical factors. In the cryopreservation process, environmental changes including osmotic injury, desiccation, and low temperature can impose a series of stresses on plants. In this study, we evaluated the role of melatonin in stress protection during the process of cryopreservation using callus of an endangered plant species Rhodiola crenulata. The survival rate of the cryopreserved callus significantly increased when the callus was pretreated for 5 days with 0.1 μm melatonin prior to freezing in liquid nitrogen. Analysis of antioxidative activity following the pretreatment of callus with 0.1 μm melatonin showed a significant reduction in malondialdehyde production during various steps of cryopreservation. Enhanced peroxidase and catalase activity was observed in the callus after pretreatment with 0.1 μm melatonin compared to the control. These observations provide new evidence of the antioxidant/anti-stress function of melatonin, and it is the first report of its potential application in the preservation of elite endangered germplasm through the process of cryopreservation.

Influence of abiotic stress signals on secondary metabolites in plants

“…Moreover, Melatonin applied to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seeds improves germination during chilling stress. 56 Recently, Zhao et al 57 reported that melatonin improves the survival of cryopreserved callus of Rhodiola crenulata. The survival rate of the cryopreserved callus increased when the callus was pretreated with 0.1 μM melatonin.…”

Melatonin, an underestimated natural substance with great potential for agricultural application

“…As it was also observed in tomato fruits, the concentration of MEL was much higher in mature than in green ones, which may be related to the protection of fruit against intensive production of ROS during ripening . Interestingly, that pretreatment of callus of Rhodiola crenulata prior to cryopreservation protects this tissue against oxidative damage and improves its survival (Zhao et al 2011).…”

Galanthamine, an anti-cholinesterase drug, effects plant growth and development inArtemisia tridentataNutt. via modulation of auxin and neurotransmitter signaling

“…49,66 In brief, shoot tissues were extracted in 70% ethanol (0.05 g/mL), homogenized, and filtered by centrifugation (UltraFree MC, Millipore). Extracts were then separated on a Waters BEH Acquity C 18 …”

“…15 Current research indicates that MEL and 5HT may be important in plant metabolic systems such as photosynthesis 16 and physiological responses to environmental stresses such as tolerance to cold stress. [17][18][19] Ach was first described in plants in the early 1970s using bioassays and detected in plants by gas chromatography in 1974. 20 Ach occurs in all parts of plants, but higher…”