الفهرس 
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Abstract
The Aizoaceae is the largest succulent plant family in the world. The Family Aizoaceae comprises 128 genera and about 1850 species distributed mostly in the arid and semi-arid regions of Africa and few of them are distributed in Asia, Australia and the central Pacific regions. Majority of the species (96%) are endemic to southern Africa.
This study includes two plants: Aptenia cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L. Aptenia is a small genus in family Aizoaceae. It is native to South Africa and naturalized in Australia, it contain four species cultivated as ornamentals in different regions of the world. Mesembryanthemum is a genus of about 100 species distributed along the coasts of western North America, southern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Several species are grown as ornamentals.
The present study work includes the following:
Chapter I: Botanical study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Chapter II: Phytochemical study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Chapter III: Biological study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Chapter I: Botanical study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Part 1: DNA fingerprinting of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
The two species of Aizoaceae were subjected to random polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to assess the genetic variability and similarity at the molecular level. A set of ten primers was amplified successfully to evaluate the degree of diversity and similarity between the two species.
A total of ten primers were used in RAPD-PCR analysis, all of them provided at least one polymorphic band or more, the fragments of amplified DNA band seizes ranged from about 100 to 1000 base pairs (bp), the average number of bands per primer was 8.3, the highest number of polymorphic bands was (6) produced by the primer A02 and the lowest number was (0)produced by the primer A16, A01 and A13.The amplification products were scored to build a binary matrix, encompass a total of 83 bands generated by the ten primers were used and 136 scorable bands for the 2 species under investigation.
All the ten random primers produced distinguishable polymorphic bands in each of the DNA sample. The RAPD experiments produced a total of 83 bands of which 30 bands were polymorphic. The percentage of total polymorphic loci was (36.1%) indicating a lower level of polymorphism which partially due to the strict genetic relationships of the two species in this study.
Part 2: Macroscopical study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
I. Macroscopical study of Aptenia cordifolia:
A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. is a succulent herb, spreading up to 120 cm long. Stem is prostrate, procumbent, and woody. Leaves are widely spaced in pairs or singularly arranged and petiolate. Lamina is simple, broadly ovate, with entire margin, acute apex and with cordate base. Flowers are solitary, axillary and terminal. Calyx tube is obconical and 4-lobed. Staminodes are purple and linear. Ovary is obconical. Stigmas are white and sub sessile.
II. Macroscopical study of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum:
M. nodiflorum L. is fleshy, 4-35 cm tall. Stem is prostrate and procumbent. Leaves are opposite towards base. Lamina is simple with entire margin, obtuse apex and with amplexicaul base. Flowers are solitary and axillary. Calyx is turbinate and 5-lobed. Petaloid staminodes are numerous and linear. Stamens are epipetalouss. Ovary is half-inferior, 5-angled and conical. Stigmas are sessile.
Part 3: Microscopical study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
I. Microscopical examination of Aptenia cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br.:
1. Leaves:
The transverse section shows that the leaf has a very soft consistency and a loose structure. The epidermis Consist of compact layer covered with moderate layer of cuticle, disturbed by long lacunar cells in both upper and lower epidermis and showing a few number of stomata and simple unicellular hairs. The transverse section of mesophyll shows a loose structure. The layers represent large cholerenchymatous cells disturbed by lignified parenchyma and contain raphides of calcium oxalate. The midrib consists of homogenous tissue of chlorenchyma contains inverted open collateral vascular bundle.
2. Petiole:
The transverse section of the petiole shares the same loose structure of the leaf. The epidermis consists of compact layer of rounded cell covered with cuticle, disturbed by rounded lacunar cells and showing a few stomata and a few unicellular hairs. The layers of the mesophyll represent globose cholerenchymatous cells disturbed with lignified parenchyma. The midrib consist of chlorenchyma contain inverted open collateral vascular bundle. The vascular bundle of petiole is larger than that of leaf.
3. Stem:
The Outline of stem is square- shaped. The epidermis is formed of one layer of rounded enlarged parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces at some parts; it shows no cuticle, no stomata and no hairs. The cortex consists of 2-4 rows of chlorenchyma lying beneath the epidermis followed by several layers (up to 15) of polyhedral parenchymatous cells. Small vascular bundles disperse inside the cortical parenchyma in addition to many crystals of calcium oxalate. The endodermis consists of one layer of barrel cells. The Pericycle consists of several layers of rounded cells. The Stele structure consists of a continuous ring of lignified parenchymatous cells disturbed by a few number of open collateral vascular bundles. The Pith consists of a wide region of polyhedral parenchymatous cells.
II. Microscopical study of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L.:
1. Leaves:
Upper and lower epidermis showed one layer of rounded cell and not showed stomata, hairs and cuticle. The mesophyll consist of parenchyma of loose structure enclosing abundant intercellular spaces, also showing many groups (2-4) of lignified cells act as supporting tissue and showing many solitary calcium oxalate crystals. Ground tissue at the midrib region consists of irregular rounded parenchyma with small intercellular spaces. There is one vascular bundle appeared in the midrib region, it is inverted and collateral, consisting of radiating lignified xylem that located upward, the upper epidermis and phloem is located downward.
2. Stem:
Outline of stem is rounded, slightly elongated. The epidermis is formed of one layer of rounded enlarged parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces at some parts; it shows no cuticle, a few stomata and a few simple unicellular hairs. There are 2-4 rows of chlorenchyma just beneath the epidermis followed by several layers (up to 12 layers) of polyhedral parenchymatous cells which contain raphides of calcium oxalate crystals. The endodermis consists of one layer of parenchymatous cells. The pericycle consists of several layers of rounded cells. Stele structure consists of a continuous ring of lignified parenchymatous cells disturbed by a few numbers of open collateral vascular bundles. The pith consists of wide region of polyhedral parenchymatous cells.
Chapter II: Phytochemical study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Part 1: Preliminary Phytochemical screening of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
The results of the phytochemical screening show the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols and /or terpens, tannins and saponins. Volatile substances and cardiac glycosides are absent in both species.
Part 2: Investigation of lipoidal matter of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
• GC-MS analysis of the unsaponifiable matter of Aptenia cordifolia:
GC/MS analysis of the unsaponifiable matter of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. revealed the identification of 15 compounds constituting87.93% of the total composition of the unsaponifiable fraction of the plant extract. The major compounds representing (75.94%) is ethane.
Total identified hydrocarbons were 3 compounds, representing 76.97% of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract, mainly attributed to ethane (75.94%).
Total identified oxygenated hydrocarbons were 5 compounds, representing 4.62% of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract, mainly attributed to1, 1-diethoxy ethane (1.77%).
Total identified terpens were 3 compounds, representing 3.7% of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract, mainly attributed to neophytadiene (2.77%). •
• GC-MS analysis of the unsaponifiable matter of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum:
GC/MS analysis of the unsaponifiable matter of M. nodiflorum L. revealed the identification of 17 compounds constituting 94.24% of the total composition of the unsaponifiable fraction of the plant extract. The major compound representing (16.93%) is octadecane. Total identified hydrocarbons were 7 compounds, representing 58.35% of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract, mainly attributed to octadecane (16.93%).
Total identified oxygenated hydrocarbon were 4 compounds, representing 20.43 % of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract, mainly attributed to 2-ethyl hexanol (14.29%).
Total identified terpenes were 5 compounds, representing 13.78% of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract, mainly attributed to betulin (5.38%).
The detected phytosterol was Stigmasterol which represented 1.68% of the total identified unsaponifiable compounds of the plant extract.
• GC-MS analysis of saponifiable matter of Aptenia cordifolia:
The GC-MS analysis of the saponifiable matter of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. revealed identification of 18 compounds constituting 98.5% of the total composition of the saponifiable fraction. Generally the percentage of the total identified saturated fatty acids (76.25%) is higher than the percentage of total identified unsaturated fatty acids(22.33%).The results showed that the the palmitic acid is the most abundant saturated fatty acid.
• GC-MS analysis of saponifiable matter of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum:
The GC-MS analysis of the saponifiable matter of M. nodiflorum L. revealed identification of 12 compounds constituting 82.13% of the total composition of the saponifiable fraction. Generally the percentage of the total identified saturated fatty acids (63.6%) is higher than the percentage of total identified unsaturated fatty acids (18.53%). The results showed that the palmitic acid is the most abundant saturated fatty acid
Part 3: HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS analysis of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Fifty six compounds had been tentatively identified by LC-MS from the alcoholic extracts of A. cordifolia. The structural types include twenty two flavonoids, six phenolic acid and other phenol derivatives, thirteen terpens, two alkaloids, five sterols, two lignans, two glucosinolates, three polyprenol lipids and one coumarin compound.
Forty two compounds had been tentatively identified by LC-MS from the alcoholic extract of M. nodiflorum. The structural types include twelve Flavonoids, ten phenolic acids and other phenolic derivatives, ten terpens, four sterols, three alkaloids, two lignans and one hydrocarbon.
Part 4: Quantitative determination of total flavonoids and phenolics of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum aerial parts using colorimetric assay
Concentration of total flavonoid content of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. was 0.034 g/100g while concentration of total flavonoid content of M. nodiflorum L. was 0.072. Flavonoid content of M. nodiflorum L.is more than that of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br.
Concentration of total phenolic content of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. was 0.123 g/100g while concentration of total phenolic content of M. nodiflorum L. was 0.334g/100g. Phenolic content of M. nodiflorum L. is more than that of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br.
Chapter III: Biological study of Aptenia cordifolia and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Part 1: Biological studies
I. Toxicological studies
The Median lethal dose (LD50) of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. ethanolic extract is 8.4g/kg b.wt. While the Median lethal dose (LD50) of M. nodiflorum L. is 5.6 g/kg b.wt.
II. Antihyperglycemic activity
The 70% ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. and M. nodiflorum L. have a significant hypoglycemic effect as well as the reference drug metformin. The %of change of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. ethanolic extract was more potent than M. nodiflorum L. ethanolic extract.
III. Antioxidant activity:
Percent of change of diabetic is 41.4% while two ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of A. cordifolia and M. nodiflorum are 4.3% and 3.2% which are nearly similar to percent of change of vitamin E 1.3%.The percent of change of A. cordifolia is more potent than M. nodiflorum.
IV- Analgesic activity:
Results of analgesic activity showed that the reference drug Indomethacin® give inhibition percent 58.2%.While ethanolic extract of M. nodiflorum L. cause inhibition by 43% which is more potent than ethanolic extract of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. that cause inhibition by 31.3%.
V- Anti –inflammatory:
The 70% ethanol extracts of the aerial parts of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. and M. nodiflorum L. have a significant anti-inflammatory effect as well as the reference drug indomethacin. . The %of change of A. cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. ethanolic extract was more potent than M. nodiflorum L. ethanolic extract.
VI. Hepatoprotective activity
A. cordifolia has more hepatoprotective effect more than M. nodiflorum.
Part 2: Cytotoxic Activity:
Aptenia cordifolia (L. fil) N.E.Br. showed low inhibitory activity against colon, cervix, liver, larynx and normal melanocyte carcinoma. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L. extract showed significant inhibitory activity against colon, cervix, and liver and normal melanocyte carcinoma; while showed low inhibitory activity against larynx carcinoma. Both extracts showed no activity against breast carcinoma.