<p>Cantharidin and its analog, endothall, are known to have phytotoxic effects and their mechanism of action involves the inhibition of phosphatases. Enzymes and antioxidant compounds act as barriers against phytotoxic compounds. Catalase and peroxidase are among the most important antioxidant enzymes. <em>Cichorium intybus </em>L. has traditionally been used for its medicinal properties and contains various phytochemical and enzymatic compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the comparative effects of cantharidin and endothall with concentration of 2.5, 5.5 and 10 µg ml<sup>-1</sup> on the changes in the gene expression of catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, we assess the activities of these enzymes in the shoots and roots of <em>Cichorium intybus</em> L.. According to the findings, the expression of catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased in the samples treated with cantharidin more than endothall compared to the controls in both shoot (the most significant is in cantharidin with 2.5 µg ml<sup>-1 </sup>concentration) and root samples (the most significant is in cantharidin with 5.5 µg ml<sup>-1 </sup>concentration). In addition, the activity of catalase and concentrations of cantharidin (2.5 µg ml<sup>-1</sup>) in shoot samples led to the more intense stimulation of catalase and glutathione peroxidase compared to root samples. We suggest that cantharidin and endothall have negative effect on expression and absorption of antioxidant enzymes.</p>
Gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in rice plants, cv. BRS AG, under saline stress
