Echinops spinosus and Fagonia mollis were two plants collected from Wadi Hagul, Eastern desert, Egypt during spring and autumn season. Secondary metabolites were at their highest levels in both tested plants during autumn season, and the antioxidant capabilities of these secondary metabolites were physiologically relevant to plant stress response systems. The invitro studies revealed that both plants have antioxidant properties and a promising cytotoxic activity against a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Based on the least of IC50 value of this extract and fractions, GC/ MS analysis was done for E. spinosus and F. mollis methylene chloride fractions and F. mollis crude extract. The GC/MS analysis disclosed that both E. spinosus and F. mollis methylene chloride fractions and their crude extracts, have predominant phytochemical compounds that have cytotoxic activity. The presence of pentanoic acid, 4-oxo-, butyl ester in E. spinosus methylene chloride fraction, and mome inositol and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester components in F. mollis crude extract as well as phytol and (-)-loliolide in its methylene chloride fraction.
Key words: Wadi Hagul, Echinops, Fagonia, Metabolic activities, Cytotoxic activity.
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