Given the lack of adequate research on (Dioon spinulosum) Dyer Ex Eichler, this study was conducted focusing on different biological activities and phytochemical investigation of D. spinulosum for the first time. D. spinulosum showed strong protective activity against DNA damage and potent activity against VERO cell line. It also presented antimicrobial and hepatoprotective activity. Phytochemical investigation of the leaves resulted in isolation of two new flavonoids, apigenin 7-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (15) and amentoflavone 7-O-α-Lrhamnopyranoside (16) were isolated from Dioon spinulosum leaves in addition to fifteen known compounds: phytone (1), trans-phytol (2), β-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), oliveriflavone (5), 7,4′,7″,4″′-tetramethylamentoflavone (6), 7,4',7''-trimethylamentoflavone (7), scaidopitysin (8), bilobetin (9), isoginkgetin (10), aromadendrin (11), sotusflavone (12), engeletin (14) and eriocitrin (17) for the first time together with amentoflavone (13). Compounds (11) and (13) displayed very strong cytotoxic activity and showed the highest protective activity against DNA damage.

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Toxoplasmosis and cancer are serious worldwide diseases, and the available drugs cause serious side effects. Investigation for new alternative therapies from natural sources is now an increasing concern. Herein, we carried out, for the first time, an in vitro screening of Cycas rumphii Miq. leaves for toxoplasmocidal effect, using Viruluent RH Toxoplasma gondii, and cytotoxic activity against HEPG-2, HCT-116 and HELA cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction was the most effective against T. gondii, with an EC50 of 3.51 ± 0.2 µg/mL compared to cotrimoxazole (4.18 ± 0.01 µg/mL) and was the most potent against the tested cell lines, especially HEPG-2, with an IC50 of 6.98 ± 0.5 µg/mL compared to doxorubicin (4.50 ± 0.2 µg/mL). Seven compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction by extensive chromatographic techniques and fully elucidated using different spectroscopies. Compound (7) is an undescribed 4′, 4′′′ biapigenin di-C-glucoside, which showed a strong cytotoxic activity. Four known biflavonoids (1, 2, 4 and 5) in addition to a phenolic acid ester (3) and a flavonoid glycoside (6) were also isolated. Compounds (1, 3 and 6) were reported for the first time from C. rumphii.

Atropa belladonna L is most important commercial source of pharmaceutical tropane alkaloids. Initiation of callus culture on MS solid media with different concentrations of growth regulators as BA and 2,4 D from different explants shows that 2,4-D only at 1.0mg/L and 2.0mg/l gave the highest callus formation score after 21 days. The highest concentration of atropine (376.62 µg/g DW) and scopolamine (103.16 µg/g DW) were obtained from leaf callus on MS medium supplemented with 2,4 D at 0.5 mg/L after 28 days. The effect of elicitors and precursor feeding on tropane alkaloids production in callus culture were examined. Accumulation of both alkaloids; atropine and scopolamine in callus were enhanced after 8 days with jasmonic acid at concentrations (50 µM), after 15 days with yeast extract at concentrations (0.5 g/L) and after 21days with ornithine at 1mM in comparison with control callus. Salicylic acid inhibits callus growth and accumulation of atropine and scopolamine in treated callus.