Nanoencapsulation improves the protective effects of a nitric oxide donor on drought-stressed Heliocarpus popayanensis seedlings

Author(s):Show less -

Carmo, Giovanna Camargo do ^[1] ; Iastrenski, Lorena Felix ^[1] ; Debiasi, Tatiane Viegas ^[1] ; Silva, Rafael Caetano da ^[1] ; Gomes, Diego Genuario ^[1] ; Pelegrino, Milena Trevisan ^[2] ; Bianchini, Edmilson ^[1] ; Stolf-Moreira, Renata ^[1] ; Pimenta, Jose Antonio ^[1] ; Seabra, Amedea Barozzi ^[2] ; Oliveira, Halley Caixeta ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Londrina UEL, Dept Anim & Plant Biol, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, km 380, BR-86057970 Londrina, PR - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed ABC UFABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, Av. Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY; v. 225, DEC 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Despite the important role played by nitric oxide (NO) in plants subjected to abiotic stress, NO donors application to induce drought tolerance in neotropical tree seedlings has not yet been tested. It is also worth investigating whether NO bioactivity in drought-stressed seedlings could be potentiated by NO donors nanoencapsulation. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effects of chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) containing S-nitroso-mercaptosuccinic acid (S-nitroso-MSA) on drought-stressed seedlings of neotropical tree species Heliocarpus popayanensis Kunth in comparison to free NO donor and NPs loaded with non-nitrosated MSA. Nanoencapsulation slowed down NO release from S-nitroso-MSA, and nanoencapsulated S-nitroso-MSA yielded 2- and 1.6-fold higher S-nitrosothiol levels in H. popayanensis roots and leaves, respectively, than the free NO donor. Snitroso-MSA has prevented drought-induced CO2 assimilation inhibition, regardless of nanoencapsulation, but the nanoencapsulated NO donor has induced earlier ameliorative effect. Both NO and MSA have decreased oxidative stress in H. popayanensis roots, but this effect was not associated with antioxidant enzyme induction, with higher seedling biomass, or with proline and glycine betaine accumulation. Nanoencapsulated S-nitrosoMSA was the only formulation capable of increasing leaf relative water content in drought-stressed plants (from 32.3% to 60.5%). In addition, it induced root hair formation (increase by 36.6% in comparison to well-hydrated plants). Overall, results have evidenced that nanoencapsulation was capable of improving the protective effect of S-nitroso-MSA on H. popayanensis seedlings subjected to drought stress, a fact that highlighted the potential application of NO-releasing NPs to obtain drought-tolerant tree seedlings for reforestation programs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/08194-2 - Essential oil amended with metal nanoparticles functionalized with nitric oxide as a strategy to control plant pathogens in the agriculture
• Grantee: Amedea Barozzi Seabra
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/05029-8 - Preparation, characterization and biological evaluation of nitric oxide releasing polymeric biomaterials
• Grantee: Milena Trevisan Pelegrino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate