Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: In this study, sodium nitroprusside effect as a producer of NO on growth, antioxidant enzyme activities and some physiological parameters in in vitro cultured Melissa officinalis seedlings were studied.
Material and methods: After establishment of Melissa officinalis seedling culture, seedlings were treated with different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (0, 25, 50 and 100 µM). Then, they were harvested for growth, protein content, secondary metabolites, lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant enzymes activities analysis after 10 days.
Results: Results showed that growth and protein content decreased with increasing concentration of sodium nitroprusside. Phenolic compounds amount, total flavonoids and anthocyanins increased by sodium nitroprusside. Also Malondialdehyde content as lipid peroxidation product was significantly increased. In response to oxidative stress, chatalase and peroxidase enzymes activities were respectively increased at 50 and 25 µM sodium nitroprusside while enzymes activities showed decreasing at 100 µM.
 Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that sodium nitroprusside as NO producer damage the cell membrane. Therefore reduced Melissa officinalis seedling growth and caused oxidative stress in them. To overcome produced free radical, secondary metabolites amounts and antioxidant enzymes activities were increased.