Alleviation of heavy metal stress in Nyctanthes arbor-tristis under the treatment of lead

The plant release or maintain the level of antioxidants in their response toward heavy metal toxicity which is also a part of plant defense mechanism. Apart from this, the presence of antioxidants and antiradical properties is the principle reason for the popularity of medicinal plants. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis or Parijat is one of them. In the present study, various morphological, biochemical and physiochemical parameters of Parijat were analyzed under the condition of lead stress of varying strengths. An increment was recorded in the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and non-protein thiols content with the increasing concentration of lead stress, indicating that they have an essential role in coping the heavy metal stress, whereas the exogenous lead stress treatment imparted a negative effect on the content of chlorophyll and protein in the plant. It can be concluded through the present study that the plant N. arbor-tristis can be potentially used as phytoremediator for heavy metal stress due to its hyperaccumulation and antioxidant properties.