Increasing of flavone synthase gene expression and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant enzymes activity of Cuminum cyminum by salicylic acid

Cuminum cyminum is a drug plant of Apiaceae and is full of secondary metabolite such as flavonoids and anthocyanin compounds. Salicylic acid belongs to a group of phenolic compounds acts as a key secondary messenger in activating specific defensive response of plant and also is used as inducer in provement of biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In this research the effect of salicylic acid on gene expression of flavone synthase and flavonoid and anthocyanins compounds was studied. In addition the effect of salicylic acid on malondialdehyde , hydrogen peroxide and antioxidant enzymes activity of catalase, peroxidase and superoxid dismutase are studied. Seedlings of cuminum cyminum in vegetative growth stage (21 days) were treated by 1.5 mM salicylic acid and was harvested on 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after treatment. The results showed that gene expression of flavone synthase, flavonoid and anthocyanin compounds in comparison with the control increased significantly. The most increase was observed in third day which were about twice more than control. But in fourth day was decreased but still was greater than control. In fact according to the research the positive correlation between gene expression of flavone synthase and flavonoids and anthosyanins compounds was observed. Comparing with control, the results showed that malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and antioxidant enzymes activity are increasedin different harvest stages under treatment with salicylic acid. So salicylic acid as an inducer increased antioxidant system of plant and increased flavonoid and anthocyanin compounds of cuminum cyminum by increase of flavone synthase gene expression.