Physical and antioxidative responses of Orthosiphon stamineus towards various copper and lead concentrations

Abstract Plants normally change their physiological and biochemical properties when exposed to heavy metal stress. We investigated the response of Orthosiphon stamineus towards different concentrations of Pb (0, 2, 5, 8 mg/L) and Cu (1, 2, 4, 5 mg/L). Heavy metals left in soil, plant physical characteristics, and the level of antioxidants in O. stamineus were determined. Our results showed that the tested Pb concentrations did not significantly affect stem elongation, but at 2 mg/L, Pb increased the leaf growth. Pb at 5 and 8 mg/L increased the total plant biomass. In contrast, 5 mg/L Cu treatment affected stem elongation and the root length of O. stamineus. The concentrations of Pb and Cu in soil were significantly reduced after the plants were harvested. Biochemically, 5 mg/L Pb had significantly increased the activity of catalase, while Cu at 5 mg/L significantly reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase. Total flavonoid content increased in Pb-treated plants, but the total phenolics content decreased. Cu treatment at 2 mg/L, on the other hand increased the total phenolics content. Our results demonstrated that O. stamineus adapt to metal stress via physical changes, and scavenge oxygen radicals through enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant productions.