Zygophyllaceae R.Br. is a family with a high level of variability in plasticity that results in many conflicts about its taxa ranking and authenticating processes. Five selected Egyptian species belonging to genera, Fagonia, Tribulus, and Zygophyllum were applied for a comparative chemical and molecular study to assess their range of variations. The plants were evaluated for their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry profiling of the aqueous methanol extracts of the investigated plants and Global Natural Product Social molecular networking tentatively identified 174 compounds belonging to various chemical classes. Flavonoids are predominant, and myricetin derivatives were reported for the first time from Fagonia glutinosa. Diethyl ether extract analysis with gas chromatography with flame ionization detection detected 10 unsaturated and 13 saturated fatty acids. T. terrestris possessed the largest concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (up to 76.39%) whereas Z. simplex had the highest concentration of the saturated ones (76.82%). DNA fingerprinting was performed using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat markers and variations with 75.32% polymorphism were detected. Chemical and molecular data suggest the distinction of Tribulus sp. from the other studied taxa and grouping Fagonia close to Zygophyllum. Moreover, the DPPH assay showed weak to moderate radical scavenging activity at 500 µg/mL with cell viability ranging from 63.5% to 90.1%.

Tribulus pentandrus Forssk. belongs to the genus Tribulus L., a genus that was previously considered one of the main genera of Zygophyllaceae R. Br. but later, it was transferred to the newly established family Tribulaceae Hadidi. Several databases were searched to collect data for this review within the scope of phytochemistry, bioactivity, and plant taxonomy such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Reaxys, and Jstor from 1890 until now. Several chemical classes were previously reported from T. pentandrus extract, with flavonoids and steroidal saponins being the most commonly reported classes of compounds. Other reported chemical classes included amides, fatty acids, alkaloids, derivatives of cinnamic acid, and phytosterols. The plant's medicinal value was also reviewed with declaring the conflicts that occur while identifying this plant and the possible consequent biological application inefficiency. This is the first integrated review to cover the chemical, biological, molecular, and botanical previously reported literature.

Salvia lanigera Poir. is a small herbaceous perennial species with violet flowers that grows in low-altitude deserts, and sandy loam. During the collection of S. lanigera, unusual populations with white flowers were found. Therefore, the two populations (violet- and white-flowered) were subjected to comparative investigations, including DNA fingerprinting, chemical composition, and biological evaluation. The two populations showed DNA variations, with 6.66 % polymorphism in ISSR and 25 % in SCoT markers. GC/MS and UHPLC/HRMS of aqueous methanol extracts, led to the tentative identification of 43 and 50 compounds in both populations. In addition, the structures of nine compounds, including four first-time reported compounds in the species, were confirmed by NMR. Furthermore, the total extracts exhibited weak radical scavenging activity against DPPH and a lower inhibitory effect towards acetylcholinesterase. In conclusion, the obtained data suggested that the white-colored flower could be an additional important character record for the Egyptian S. lanigera.

By using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the pollen grains and foliar epidermal morphology of four species and two varieties of Egyptian Oxalis Linnaeus, 1753 belonging to three sections of the subgenus Oxalis Linnaeus, 1753 were studied. The objective was to determine the importance of pollen and foliar epidermal characters as taxonomic evidence. The current study revealed that the pollen grains of all taxa examined are monads, radially symmetric, isopolar, and of medium size; the shape varied from sub-spheroidal to subprolate. The pollen apertures were tricolpate with ornamented colpal membranes (rugulate, warty, congregated granules). Exine is semi-tectate, with micro-reticulate to reticulate ornamentation, perforate in O. debilis Kunth, 1822. The study also revealed the presence of four types of stomata: actinocytic, anisocytic, anomocytic, and an unusual 4-celled anisocytic. Both abaxial and adaxial epidermal cells were irregular or polygonal in shape, with undulate or straight anticlinal walls and semi-swollen to swollen periclinal walls with dispersed epicuticular wax. Two forms of non-glandular, unicellular trichomes were observed: short clavate and long with a tapering apex and papillate surface. The study further discussed numerical results based on combined morphological, palynological, and foliar epidermal characters. This study is the first report dealing with anatomical and palynological features of the genus Oxalis in Egypt.

Tribulus terrestris L. is a cosmopolitan annual herb that grows under various ecological conditions, reflecting the variation in its morphological, chemical, and biological features. T. terrestris was collected from three different populations (I, II, III) in Egypt and subjected to comparative investigation to evaluate the morphological, metabolomic, and genetic variations among these populations. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the collected specimens was assessed. Significant variations in vegetative morphology were observed among the three populations. Detailed microscopic examination revealed unique traits in the foliar epidermal and pollen grains characteristics of each population. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of aqueous methanol extracts led to the tentative identification of 101 compounds across 17 different chemical classes from which flavonoids are predominant and represented by 28 compounds; Polymethoxylated flavones were reported for the first time in the three investigated extracts. GC/FID analysis of diethyl ether extracts identified 12 saturated and 8 unsaturated fatty acids, with linolenic acid being the major component, constituting 52.21 %, 65.71 %, and 49.52 % in populations I, II and III, respectively. The DNA fingerprinting showed variations with 54.54 % polymorphism in ISSR markers, confirming the existence of two distinct genotypes among the studied T. terrestris plants. Furthermore, the extracts from the three populations exhibited weak antioxidant activity against DPPH. The obtained data revealed considerable morphological, metabolomic, and genetic diversity among the three populations of T. terrestris. These findings suggest treating T. terrestris (I) as a distinct variety of T. terrestris and enhancing the understanding of the plant's diversity, which is essential for its effective application in traditional and modern medicinal practices.

Matthiola longipetala subsp. livida is an annual herb in Brassicaceae that has received little attention despite the family’s high reputation for health benefits, particularly cancer prevention. In this study, UPLC-HRMS-MS analysis was used for mapping the chemical constituents of different plant parts (i.e., flowers, leaves, and roots). Also, spectral similarity networks via the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) were employed to visualize their chemical differences and similarities. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity on HCT-116, HeLa, and HepG2 cell lines was evaluated. Throughout the current analysis, 154 compounds were annotated, with the prevalence of phenolic acids, glucosinolates, flavonol glucosides, lipids, peptides, and others. Predictably, secondary metabolites (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates) were predominant in flowers and leaves, while the roots were characterized by primary metabolites (peptides and fatty acids). Four diacetyl derivatives tentatively assigned as O-acetyl O-malonyl glucoside of quercetin (103), kaempferol (108 and 112), and isorhamnetin (114) were detected for the first time in nature. The flowers and leaves extracts showed significant inhibition of HeLa cell line propagation with LC50 values of 18.1 ± 0.42 and 29.6 ± 0.35 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the flowers extract inhibited HCT-116 with LC50 24.8 ± 0.45 µg/mL, compared to those of Doxorubicin (26.1 ± 0.27 and 37.6 ± 0.21 µg/mL), respectively. In conclusion, the flowers of M. longipetala are responsible for the abundance of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic properties.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06205.].

Plants of the Asteraceae family are widely used all over the world as traditional medicinal taxa for the therapy of various ailments. This study aims to investigate the chemical profiles of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. essential oils (EOs) from four different natural habitats; canal habitat (CH), urban habitat (UH), agricultural habitat (AH), and wadi habitat (WH), in addition to evaluating their antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects. The EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation method and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique. Fifty-six compounds have been identified, sesquiterpenes being the major components of the EOs with 69.62% (CH), 60.68% (UH), 78.27% (AH), and 94.87% (WH). The predominant sesquiterpenes were 6-epi-shyobunol (26.38%, WH), aromadendrene (16.72%, CH), c-muurolene (14.51%, CH), himachalol (13.48%, UH), tau-muurolol (12.5%, WH), cubebol (9.78%, WH), cubenol (9.39%, WH), and caryophyllene oxide (8.27%, WH). Moreover, the antimicrobial effects of the investigated EOs were studied against ten pathogens, including three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutants), three Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus vulgaris), and four fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Syncephalastrum racemosum) using standard agar disc-diffusion technique. Among the studied organisms, C. neoformans showed significant antimicrobial potency for the EOs from the four habitats. Furthermore, EOs of the four habitats exhibited potential cytotoxicity against the colon carcinoma cell line (HCT116) with LC50 of 29.4 (CH), 23.6 (UH), 18.0 (AH), and 16.1 (WH) & mu;g/ml, respectively. No effects were observed for breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. EOs extracted from P. dioscoridis, especially for (WH) could be used as alternatives to synthetic antifungal and anticancer agents.

Plant-natural products are used in several cosmetic applications as whitening agents. However, various Col-chicum species rich in bioactive secondary metabolites that possess antioxidant and significant anti-tyrosi-nase activities. Nevertheless, there are few phytochemical investigations with no reports of biological assessment of Colchicum palaestinum (Baker) C. Archer (Colchicaceae). Consequently, the aqueous methanol (AM) extract of the whole plant of C. palaestinum has been subjected to relevant biological activities; antioxi-dant, wound healing, and anti-tyrosinase assays. Where AM extract showed DPPH radical scavenging inhibi-tion at 71.8%, with an IC50 of 66.0 mg/mL. The wound scratch assay revealed a migration rate 11.7% of the human normal fibroblast cell line (BJ-1) while, the anti-tyrosinase IC50 activity value of the extract on the L -tyrosine substrate was 29.75 +/- 4.60 mg/mL compared to kojic acid (control) with IC50 47.48 +/- 2.67 mg/mL. For inclusive phytochemical profiling of C. palaestinum whole plant, AM extract was fractionated using petro-leum ether (PE) afforded, PE fraction, and defatted aqueous methanol (DAM) extract. PE fraction was investi-gated by GC/MS analysis and led to the detection of 35 compounds. Similarly, the UPLC-MS/MS analysis of DAM extract assisted with molecular networking through the GNPS platform, revealing the annotation of 65 metabolites. Besides, nine phenolics were isolated and identified from the DAM extract. Except for two com-pounds, all non-polar and polar constituents were reported for the first time in the investigated species. These findings imply that due to its chemical constituents, C. palaestinum meets the requirements as a com-petitive antioxidant andwound healing with anti-tyrosinase properties.(c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper provides a full taxonomic revision of the genusOxalis for the flora of Egypt.The study was carried out on herbarium specimens as well as fresh materials.The study revealed the presence of five species and one variety belonging to three sections by adding O. corymbosa and O. latifolia.Oxalis corniculata is a polymorphic taxon in Egypt which led to the recognition of O. corniculata L. with its type var.corniculata and O. corniculata L. var.repens (Thunb.)Zucc.The species are mostly weed of cultivation along Mediterranean and Nile Valley with the exception of O. anthelmintica which is restricted to southeastern corner of Egypt.Among the studied taxa, variation in the presence or absence of stem, bulb characters, leaflets shape and color of flowers were found significant diagnostic characters for delimiting the taxa.For each taxon, update nomenclature, synonyms, type, amended descriptions, distribution (local and global), representative specimens are given.Photographs and diagnostic key to the species are provided to assist in identification.

This study aims to evaluate the successive extraction of the active ingredients and their antioxidant activity, anti-arthritic as well as anticancer activity of aerial parts (stem, leaves, and flowers) of Chenopodium murale L. Therefore, C. murale plants were extracted using four solvents with a wide range of polarities: n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts. Chemical analysis proved it to be a potential source of protein, fat, carbohydrates, the results showed the percentages were: moisture content (92.45%), ash content (18.19%), crude protein (30.42%), crude lipid (2.86%), and carbohydrate (48.3%) respectively of the C.murale. Methanol extracts showed the highest content of total phenolic (TP), total flavonoid (TF), and total tannin (TT). The active ingredients were assessed as well employing gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds confirmed that the methanol extract of C.murale detected high amounts of coumarin, 3, 4, 5 methoxy-cinnamic, and pyrogallol respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of C.murale herb displayed a rise cytotoxic effects on MCF7 (89.30 %), aqueous HCT116 (81%), methanol (60.70%) as well as n-hexane (39.80) respectively at 37°C for 48 h of exposure and concentration 100 µg/ml. In anti-arthritic activity at a dose-dependent, the Ethyl acetate successive fraction proved to be the most significant where it produced a percentage of inhibition ranging from 51.73 to 95.77 % followed by methanol fraction 47.70 to 90.02 % at (P ≤ 0.05), compared to Diclofenac as standard 91.22 to 96.44 %. Thus, our findings highlight the potential of this plant for its possible clinical use to oppose malignancy development against especially breast and colon cell lines with anti-arthritic effects as a bioagent in pharmaceutical industries.

Three medicinally promising Oxalis species, namely O. pes-caprae, O. corymbosa & O. latifolia were collected from Egyptian flora and their methanolic extracts were subjected to LC-QTOF-MS analysis to annotate their chemical profiles. Subsequently, 50 compounds belonging to various chemical classes were identified and characterized, of which 34 compounds were first reported from Oxalis L.. Moreover, five flavone compounds were separated and identified from O. pes-caprae; their structures were elucidated using acid hydrolysis, UV/vis, 1H-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS. The chemotaxonomic relationship of the studied species was evaluated and the extracted data were statistically analyzed and classified Oxalis sp. into two distinct clusters. Each cluster was characterized by special chemical features that helped in distinguishing between them.

This study aims to evaluate the successive extraction of the active ingredients and their anticancer activity of arial parts (stem, leaves and flowers) of S. oleaceous. Therefore, Sonchus oleraceus aerial parts were subjected to a successive extraction by using solvent of different polarities; each fraction was evaluated for its anticancer. Each active extract was farther biogided fractionated to determine and identify the active compound/s present in each sub-fraction. All the tested species were extracted using four solvents: hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Phenols, flavonoids and tannins were quantified for all extracts. The chemical analysis proved it to will be a good source of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The results showed that the percentages of moisture content (92.72%), ash content (15.14%), crude protein (25.94%), crude lipid (4.05%) and carbohydrate (54.87%) respectively of the S. oleraceus L. the highest content of total phenolic (TP), total flavonoid (TF) and total tannin (TT) was obtained by methanol fraction. The active ingredients were evaluated as well employing gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data showed the identification of ten volatile compounds in hexane fraction of the Sonchus oleraceus, among them two were found to be the major components 9 Octadecenamide (CAS) 40.92% and 1 Hexacosanol 21.01%. The HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds confirmed that the water fraction of Sonchus oleraceus L detected high amounts of pyrogallol and chlorogenic respectively. The result showed that pronounced cytotoxic activity of cancer cells at 100 μg/ml in aqueous fraction in breast cancer (94.8%), while in Methanol extract in Colon Carcinoma (88%) On the other hand, ethyl acetate fraction of the Sonchus Oleraceus showed the highest percentage of colon cancer cells (82.6%) and breast cancer (80%), while the ethyl acetate extract in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line showed moderate effect (46.3%). Thus, our results highlight of Sonchus oleraceus L for its possible clinical use to oppose malignancy development against mostly breast and colon cell line as a bio agent in pharmaceutical industries.

Five Oxalis L. plants belonging to three different sections were collected and subjected to GC-MS analysis to evaluate and understand the relationship between them from the chemosystematic point of view. The GC-MS analysis revealed the identification and characterization of thirty seven compounds belonging to different non-polar chemical classes of which nine compounds (two aliphatic hydrocarbons, one diterpene, one fatty acid, four fatty acid esters and one fatty alcohol) were identified before from the genus while, the rest compounds were identified for the first time. The GC-MS results were chemosystematically significant among Oxalis species and were found to be a good parameter in finding a tangible demarcation between O. corniculata and O. corniculata var. repens, on the other hand it is difficult to differentiate between Oxalis sections by the obtained data.

Background: The plant kingdom is considered one of the most common sources for structural and biological diversity. In particular, the wild category acquires our attention to investigate the phytochemical and the biological evaluations. Methods: Dobera glabra was exposed to phytochemical examination using HPLC-ESI-MS analysis. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, whereas both the central and peripheral analgesic activities were tested via hot plate test in rats and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, respectively. Results: Twenty phenolic compounds of D. glabra aqueous leaves extract were emphasized by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Moreover, D. glabra exhibited both anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic activities. Furthermore, D. glabra significantly decreased the immune expression of MMP-9, TNF-α and TGF-β1 in the hind paw of rats. Conclusion: D. glabra possess peripheral anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rats mediated through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The activity of D. glabra leaves extract might be attributed to the presence of hydroxy and keto structures.

Brachychiton australis (Schott and Endl.) A. Terrac and Brachychiton discolor F.Muell.(Malvaceae) are widely grown in Egypt and observed as important biological species.Based on chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, chemical studies of 70% methanol/water extracts of the leafy branches of both species resulted in the isolation and identification of twelve phenolics.Eight isolated flavonoids (vicenin, schaftoside, violanthin, isoviolanthin, luteolin 7-O-β-glucuronide, apigenin 7-Oβ-glucuronide, apigenin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside, and acacetin) were characterized for B. australis while three phenolic acid derivatives (trans-p-coumaric acid, trans-p-coumaric acid-O-glucoside, chlorogenic acid) and one flavonol glycoside (rutin) are considered for B. discolor.Except rutin, all compounds were reported for the first time in each species.The LC-ESI-MS assay of both extracts revealed the annotation of additional nineteen compounds including eight flavonoids, five phenolic acids, two organic acids, two fatty acids, one saccharide, and one amino acid.Most of the characterized bioactive compounds could be useful for further pharmaceutical applications.Moreover, this study presents a step forward for approaching chemosystematic revision of the examined species within the genus Brachychiton.

Asphodelus species are among many plants used in traditional medicine, they are used by native peoples for various pathologies. Asphodelus aestivus Brot. is one of Asphodelus species which is considered an important wild medicinal plant growing mainly at Mediterranean region. The present study aims to investigate the chemical constituents and cytotoxic evaluation of A. aestivus flowers. Petroleum ether extract was analyzed by GC/MS assay which revealed the characterization of twenty nine compounds, representing 93.13% of total extract. Also, the chromatographic investigation of the hydromethanolic extract led to the isolation of ten phenolics. They were identified as kaempferol (1), kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (2), kaempferol 3,7-di-O-glucoside (3), luteolin 7-O-glucoside (4), isoorientin (5), isoorientin 7-O-glucoside (lutonarin) (6), caffeic acid (7) emodin (8), apigenin 7-O-glucoside (9) and isovitexin-7-O-glucoside (saponarin) (10), from which, five compounds ((2, 3, 6-8) have been isolated for the first time from A. aestivus. Furthermore, LC-ESI-MS chemical profiling managed to detect the minor contents and led to the annotation of thirteen additional metabolites. In addition, the petroleum ether and the hydromethanolic extracts were investigated against four human carcinoma cell lines; HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7 and A549 at concentration of 100 mg/mL. The results showed moderate % of inhibition against MCF-7 (63.8 and 68.4) followed by HepG2 (52.3 and 65.7), respectively. Both extracts showed weak inhibition (5.7-14.3%) on HCT-116 and A549. To the best of our knowledge, this is considered the first report of the chemical analysis and biological evaluation of A. aestivus flowers.

Verbascum species (family: Scrophulariaceae) have a wide range of medicinal properties; one of these species is Verbascum letourneuxii which is an important rarely distributed plant in Egypt. The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the 70% aqueous methanol extract and the four successive fractions (diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol) were evaluated. The results of the DPPH assay (100 mu g/mL) suggested differential scavenging properties as ordered in descending: methanol > aqueous methanol > diethyl ether > chloroform > ethyl acetate with % values of 85.7, 80, 76, 64 and 23, respectively, compared to ascorbic acid (98.4%). Moreover, the diethyl ether and the chloroform fractions showed significant cytotoxic effects (100 mu g/mL). The diethyl ether fraction showed IC50 52.5 mu g/mL against HepG2, while the chloroform fraction revealed IC50 70.1, 63.6 and 73.4 (mu g/mL) against HepG2, MCF-7 and PC3 compared to doxorubicin with IC50 27.4, 28.2 and 28.7 (mu g/mL), respectively. The analysis of the GC/MS for diethyl ether and chloroform fractions led to detection and recognition of 53 chemical compounds, while the LC-ESI-MS analysis of the MeOH fraction revealed the identification and characterization of 21 compounds (eight iridoid glycosides, five phenylethanoids, five phenylpropanoids and three flavonoids). Additionally in this study, a first protocol for in vitro propagation of V. letourneuxii was established for conservation of this plant.

The Eremobium aegyptiacum (Spreng.) Schweinf.et Asch.ex Boiss aqueous extract (EAAE) was subjected to phytochemical investigation using LC–ESI–MS analysis. Twenty-seven compounds (one organic acid, two phenolic acids and twenty-four flavonoids) were characterized and tentatively identified. Among the detected compounds, acyl triglycoside derivatives of kaempferol and isorhamnetin are identified in the current study by using LC–MS technique for the first time from this species. EAAE was evaluated for its anti-Alzheimer activity. EAAE dose (156 mg/kg bw/day) was administrated for 6 weeks orally to female adult rats prior treated with AlCl3 (50 mg/Kg b.wt) to induce Alzheimer disease. AChE level, lipid profile (TC, TG and LDL-C) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated. EAAE exhibited significant reduction in AChE level (58.57 ± 9 µMSH/min/mg protein) in comparison with AlCl3 group (97.88 ± 9.87 µMSH/min/mg protein). Also, GSH level was increased to 100.09 ± 25.51 mg/g tissue and MDA level was decreased to 1.26 ± 0.1 µmol/g tissue, compared to AlCl3 rats (57.05 ± 12.56 mg/g tissue and 1.96 ± 0.29 µmol/g tissue, respectively). Additionally, lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-C) levels were significantly reduced to 35.15 ± 4.74, 18.16 ± 3.07 and 35.75 ± 4.17 µmol/g tissue, in comparison with AlCl3 group (65.20 ± 5.54, 27.93 ± 3.51 and 63.84 ± 6.98, respectively). Briefly, EAAE succeeded in amelioration of the increased AChE activity and the antioxidant activity which considered as an important defense mechanism to control the brain injury in AlCl3 rats. This amelioration was parallel to its effect on total cholesterol triglycerides and LDL levels.