Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of the medicinal plant Ruta chalepensis L. grown under saline conditions

In this study, the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) on plant growth, phenolic content and antioxidant properties of fringed rue (Ruta chalepensis L.) was investigated. The study was carried out using seedlings subjected to 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl for 2 weeks. The negative effects of NaCl on dry biomass of leaves, stems and roots were accompanied by a significant increase in electrolyte leakage percentage and malondialdehyde formation, the effect of which was more marked at 100 mM NaCl level. Poly phenol (flavonoids and phenolic acids) production induced by NaCl was followed by an enhanced antioxidant activity of R. chalepensis, to a greater extent in leaves of plants grown at 100 mM NaCl. Analyses suggest that a cooperative action of these metabolites could be efficiently involved in the restriction of salt-induced oxidative damages.