Abstract : In the present study, we attempted to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the ameliorative effects of α-tocopherol on faba bean plants grown under different Cd levels. The effect of α-tocopherol on cell membrane stability, soluble sugar, glutathione, proteines contents, H2O2 and free proline. These were studied in plants grown in a nutrient solution supplemented with different concentrations of Cd (0 or 150μmol/l) and sprayed with α-tocopherol at concentrations of 0, 50 and 100 mg/l. Heavy metal stress caused an increase in proline content , but electrolyte leakage, total soluble carbohydrates, proteine content, and bean glutathione were strongly depressed at relatively high Cd levels Antioxidant activities are enhanced, helping to reduce oxidative damage and develop tolerance to heavy metal stress in α-tocopherol-treated bean plants. This α-tocopherol-induced increase in tolerance to heavy metal stress was evidenced by improvements in membrane stability index and consequently carbohydrate content. The results show that treatment with α-tocopherol reduced the adverse effects of Cd stress on bean plants and may play a key role in stress tolerance.