Effect of methyl jasmonate on antioxidant enzyme activities, phenolic and flavonoid compounds in Scrophularia striata cell culture

Effects of 0.1 mM MeJA as an elicitor on the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and contents of phenolics and flavonoids during 4-72 hours in Scrophularia striata cell culture were studied. Decreasing in SOD activity was observed during first 12- hours after 0.1 mM MeJA treatment and then increased. Activity of CAT enzyme was increased in 0.1mM MJ treated samples significantly in comparing to the control, while POD activity was increased 12 hours after treatment. To study of MeJA mechanism, H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation were investigated. H2O2 content was increased after 8 hour post treatment with MeJA while lipid peroxidation was not changed. The amount of total phenols in control and treated cells showed a gentle slope rising levels of phenolic compounds and 0.1 mM MeJA significantly increased total phenolic compoundes in S. striata cells culture 48 and 72 hours after treatment. Also, flavonoids significantly increased in treated cells compared with controls 24 hours after treatment toward the first 12 hours. Increasing in antioxidant capacity and phenolics and flavonoids contents after elicitation is in accordance with decreasing in oxidative stress index.