ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Salt Stress Responses in Salvia officinalis:
Role of Antioxidants, Osmoprotectants,
and Secondary Metabolites
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1
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
2
Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Mu’tah University, Mu’tah-Karak 61710, P.O. Box (7), Jordan
Submission date: 2025-04-10
Final revision date: 2025-06-17
Acceptance date: 2025-06-24
Online publication date: 2025-10-13
Corresponding author
Khalid Y. Alsharafa
Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Mu’tah University, Mu’tah-Karak 61710, P.O. Box (7), Jordan
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ABSTRACT
Salinity stress negatively impacts plant growth and physiological processes, leading to reduced
productivity and yield. This study examined the effects of different salt stress levels and exposure
durations on Salvia officinalis, focusing on photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress markers,
osmoprotectants, and secondary metabolites. Chlorophyll a content significantly decreased with
increasing salinity, with a reduction of up to 50% at 200 mM NaCl, while chlorophyll b and
carotenoids remained stable, indicating a protective regulatory mechanism. Hydrogen peroxide and
lipid peroxidation levels showed a biphasic response, increasing at lower salinity levels (25-50 mM
NaCl), stabilizing at moderate stress (100 mM NaCl), and rising again under severe conditions (150-
200 mM NaCl). Proline and soluble sugars accumulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with
proline playing a crucial role in osmotic adjustment. Total flavonoids and phenolic content significantly
increased under low to moderate salinity (25-100 mM NaCl) and short-term exposure, emphasizing
their role in antioxidant defense. These findings suggest that S. officinalis employs a complex adaptive
strategy involving pigment regulation, oxidative stress mitigation, osmoprotectant accumulation, and
secondary metabolite biosynthesis to address salinity stress. Further research is necessary to clarify the
regulatory mechanisms behind these responses.