Effect of elicitors on physiomorphological and biochemical parameters of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) and rapeseed (B. napus)

The present investigation was aimed to assess the effect of different concentrations of elicitors viz., salicylic acid (SA) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) on physiomorphological and biochemical parameters of Brassica juncea and B. napus cultivars. The field experiment was conducted during 2012-13 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. Four different treatments of elicitors and a fungicide treatment were given to 10 week old plants up to four consecutive weeks. Content of total soluble protein, free amino acids, total sugars and reducing sugars ofleaves of both B. juncea and B. napus were evaluated after each spray. The content of total soluble protein increased, whereas the contents of free amino acids, total sugars and reducing sugars decreased in all the treatments after each spray. Among all the treatments, the combinations of elicitors, i.e., BTH (3 ppm) + SA (33 ppm) and BTH (7 ppm) + SA (17 ppm) exhibited maximum contents of total soluble protein, free amino acids, total sugars and reducing sugars than control in both the cultivars. These treatments were more pronounced in increasing plant height, internodal distance and number of pods per plant in both the cultivars. Our results suggest that the combinations of elicitors act synergistically to promote growth and metabolic activities in B. juncea and B. napus cultivars leading to the induction and regulation of disease resistance

Oxidative stress action in cellular aging

Various theories try to explain the biological aging by changing the functions and structure of organic systems and cells. During lifetime, free radicals in the oxidative stress lead to lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes, homeostasis imbalance, chemical residues formation, gene mutations in DNA, dysfunction of certain organelles, and the arise of diseases due to cell death and/or injury. This review describes the action of oxidative stress in the cells aging process, emphasizing the factors such as cellular oxidative damage, its consequences and the main protective measures taken to prevent or delay this process. Tests with antioxidants: vitamins A, E and C, flavonoids, carotenoids and minerals, the practice of caloric restriction and physical exercise, seeking the beneficial effects on human health, increasing longevity, reducing the level of oxidative stress, slowing the cellular senescence and origin of certain diseases, are discussed.<br>Diferentes teorias tentam explicar o envelhecimento biológico através da alteração das funções e estrutura dos sistemas orgânicos e células. Ao longo da vida, os radicais livres presentes no estresse oxidativo conduzem à peroxidação dos lipídios das membranas celulares, desequilíbrio da homeostase, formação de resíduos químicos, mutações gênicas no DNA, disfunção de certas organelas, bem como ao surgimento de doenças devido à lesão e/ou morte celular. Nesta revisão descreve-se a ação do estresse oxidativo no processo de envelhecimento das células, enfatizando fatores como os danos oxidativos celulares, suas conseqüências e as principais medidas protetoras adotadas para se prevenir ou retardar este processo. Testes com antioxidantes: vitaminas A, E e C, flavonóides, carotenóides e minerais; a prática de restrição calórica e exercícios físicos, que buscam efeitos benéficos sobre a saúde humana, aumentando a longevidade, reduzindo o nível de estresse oxidativo, retardando a senescência celular e a origem de certas doenças, são discutidos