Exogenous hydrogen sulfide and methylglyoxal alleviate cadmium-induced oxidative stress in Salix matsudana Koidz by regulating glutathione metabolism

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic element for plant growth. In plants, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and methylglyoxal (MG) have emerged as vital signaling molecules that regulate plant growth processes under Cd stress. However, the effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a donor of H(2)S) and MG on Cd uptake, physiological responses, and gene expression patterns of Salix to Cd toxicity have been poorly understood. Here, Salix matsudana Koidz. seedlings were planted in plastic pot with applications of MG (108 mg kg(− 1)) and NaHS (50 mg kg(− 1)) under Cd (150 mg kg(− 1)) stress. RESULTS: Cd treatment significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but decreased the growth parameters in S. matsudana. However, NaHS and MG supplementation significantly decreased Cd concentration, ROS levels, and MDA content, and finally enhanced the growth parameters. Cd stress accelerated the activities of antioxidative enzymes and the relative expression levels of stress-related genes, which were further improved by NaHS and MG supplementation. However, the activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) were sharply decreased under Cd stress. Conversely, NaHS and MG applications restored the MDHAR and DHAR activities compared with Cd-treated seedlings. Furthermore, Cd stress decreased the ratios of GSH/GSSG and AsA/DHA but considerably increased the H(2)S and MG levels and glyoxalase I-II system in S. matsudana, while the applications of MG and NaHS restored the redox status of AsA and GSH and further improved glyoxalase II activity. In addition, compared with AsA, GSH showed a more sensitive response to exogenous applications of MG and NaHS and plays more important role in the detoxification of Cd. CONCLUSIONS: The present study illustrated the crucial roles of H(2)S and MG in reducing ROS-mediated oxidative damage to S. matsudana and revealed the vital role of GSH metabolism in regulating Cd-induced stress. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-023-04089-y.