Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Pharmacy - Department of Pharmacognosy

Echinochloa crussgalli, Phalaris canariensis and Panicum milliaceum (Family Poaceae) are problematic annual weeds found in rice fields and moist soils. The grains are known as fodder for livestock and as millet for people in many Asian countries. They are known traditionally to reduce body weight, blood sugar, treat hypertension and help to detoxify liver and kidney. Genetic profiling of the three plants (RAPD-PCR technique) was used for obtaining genetic markers for indicating their genetic variability. Investigation of nutritional profile revealed that the grains of the plants could provide a good source of iron, folate, selenium and vitamins; the most protective elements against the chronic diseases. It is worth mentioning that 100 g grains afford the recommended daily dietary requirements of the essential amino acids for child and adult like wise. Spectrophotometric determination of the flavonoid and phenolic contents revealed that the grains of E. crussgalli contain higher percentage of flavonoids and phenolic acids than those of grains of P. canariensis and P. milliaceum calculated. Chromatographic seperation of the extracts of E. crussgalli led to isolation of eight phenolic compounds (flavone, 5,7-dihydroxy-3\,4\,5\-trimethoxy flavone, tricin, quercetin, apigenin-8- C-Sophoroside, quercetin-3-O-Ý-D-glucopyranoside, 4-hydroxy-2-methoxy cinnamic acid, p- coumaric acid) and three saponins (diosgenin, tigogenin, tigogenin diglycoside). The alcoholic extract of E. crussgalli showed the highest antioxidant activity than that of P. canariensis and P. milliaceum, respectively. Total alcoholic extracts of E. crussgalli, P.canarinesis and P.milliaceum grains and also, fractions and isolated compounds of E. crusgalli grains alcoholic extract were assessed for their potential cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines; MCF-7(breast carcinoma), HCT-116 (colon carcinoma), HELA (cervical carcinoma), and HEPG-2 (liver carcinoma) by sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay

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