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

Araucaria bidwillii Hooker., Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex D. Don and Araucaria heterophylla (Salisburry) Franco, are ornamental plants in Araucariaceae family. The aim of this study was to investigate these species from the phytochemical and biological points of view. DNA fingerprinting was done for identification of the three plants. Biological studies were performed on the alcoholic extracts of the three species. Invitro antiaging, anti-Alzheimer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities were estimated for the three species. A. cunninghamii and A. bidwillii showed promising anti-inflammatory results. In addition phytochemical study, including phytochemical screening, investigation of phenolic content, metabolomics analysis by LC/MS/MS was performed using negative mode comparing the three species resulting in identification of twenty two compounds and GC-MS analysis of the head space volatile constituents was carried for A. cunninghamiiresulted in identification of 31 volatile constituents whereas (-)-Ü-Pinene and p-Menthan-1-ol represented 32.95% and 25.02% respectively. Molecular docking studies were done for further investigation of possible targets involved in the biological action of the three species according to the dereplicated and the studies showed a significant low binding energies of amentoflavone and bilobetin glucoside against SARS-CoV-2. secondary metabolites against COVID-19 and other various activities

Issued also as CD