The accumulation of heavy metals and their effect on photosynthetic pigments, proline, glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs-SH) were studied in the leaves of two mangrove plants seedlings (Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) grown for 30 days in the nutrient solution containing four different concentrations of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ (T-1, T-2, T-3 and T-4). An increase in Cd. Pb and Hg content was found in the leaves of both species exposed to multiple heavy metal stress, whereas higher heavy metal levels (>T-1) led to a remarkable breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaves of both species. The content of proline, GSH and PCs-SH in the leaves of both species exhibited a significant increase in response to heavy metal stress, at least under most of experimental conditions. Increased contents of proline. GSH and PCs-SH in metal-treated plants suggest that metal tolerance in both K. candel and B. gymnorrhiza might be associated to the efficiency of these antioxidants. Moreover, proline, GSH and PCs-SH in K. candel may play more important role in ameliorating the effect of heavy metal toxicity than those in B. gymnorrhiza. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.