Adaptive Responses of Four Medicinal Plants to High Altitude Oxidative Stresses through the Regulation of Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites

The conservation of medicinal plants, particularly endangered or endemic species, is the utmost importance, especially in light inevitable climate change and its consequences. Species inhabiting high altitudes adopt exceptional defense mechanisms response to abiotic stresses as a survival strategy. objective current study was investigate effects altitudinal variations on secondary metabolite accumulation antioxidant enzyme capacity four plants (Cotoneaster orbicularis, Crataegus x sinaica, Echinops spinosissimus subsp. Spinosissimus, Tanacetum sinaicum) growing naturally Sinai Peninsula’s mountains. Plant leaves soil samples were collected from three between 1500 2250 m a.s.l. evaluate adaptive responses these species relation high-altitude oxidative stresses. results showed that at higher altitudes, electrical conductivity micronutrient contents decreased, which may be due prevalence silt clay decreasing altitudes. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, ascorbic acid, total soluble protein similar for all species. On other hand, proline, sugars, carotenoids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids increased activity levels catalase acid peroxidase significant increase aligned with while decrease obtained polyphenol oxidase. In conclusion, present findings Cotoneaster orbicularis exhibited maximum coping stresses, followed by remaining regarding level biochemical physiological responses. work will help formulate plans important