Effect of drought stress (polyethylene glycol) on antioxidant and some physiological traits of Paneer-boot (Withania coagulans Dunal)

Paneer-boot, with its antifungal and antibacterial effects, blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering, immune system, and antioxidant activity, has recently received pharmacologists' attention due to its high compatibility. Due to difficult ecological conditions, it can grow in the country's tropical regions such as Sistan and Baluchestan Province .

This study was designed in a completely randomized design with four replications under laboratory conditions at Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. Concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 bar PEG were used to induce the effect of drought stress on MS medium containing BAP on secondary traits of cheese .

The results showed that the drought stress significantly increased antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, phenol, and flavonoid content membrane leakage. On the other hand, it resulted in a significant decrease in the relative humidity content, potassium ion content and potassium to sodium ratio. Also, most of the studied traits had a significant correlation.

The results showed that the Paneer-boot plant had acceptable tolerance to induction of drought stress with polyethylene glycol. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms had a significant role in reducing the adverse effects of drought stress. On the other hand, drought stress increased some metabolites, such as phenol and flavonoids, which have medicinal uses .