Reduction of the phytotoxic effect of mercury chloride by rutin and evaluation of interactions by vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FTIR)

Toxic metals can cause toxicity problems in the organisms exposed to them. Many substances are able to reverse this toxicity. Among the secondary metabolites of plant origin investigated are flavonoids. To evaluate the cytoprotective activity, dry mass and possible damage to the membranes of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seedlings subjected to different concentrations of mercury chloride in association with rutin in suballelopathic concentration (8 μg/mL) were determined. It was observed that rutin gives cytoprotection to lettuce seedlings, allowing greater growth and development of the roots of these seedlings, probably through the coordination of mercury with the rutin molecule. The interaction of rutin with mercury chloride was evidenced through vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FTIR). Although mercury chloride causes cytotoxicity in several plant species, its complex with rutin can mitigate these effects.