The essential oils of the fresh leaves of M. ericifolia, M. leucadendron, M. armillaris and M. styphelioides were isolated by a hydrodistillation method and analysed by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique. The essential oil of M. ericifolia contained methyl eugenol (96.84%) as a major constituent, whereas M. leucadendron was rich in 1,8-cineole (64.30%). The essential oil of M. armillaris was rich in 1,8-cineole (33.93%) followed by terpinen-4-ol (18.79%), whereas M. styphelioides was rich in caryophyllene oxide (43.78%) and (-) spathulenol (9.65%). The essential oils of these species possessed antimicrobial and antifungal activities. M. ericifolia exhibited the highest inhibitory effects against Bacillus subtiles and Aspergillus niger. The antiviral activities of the essential oils against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were studied in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) by a plaque reduction assay. The volatile oil of M. armillaris was more effective as a virucidal (up to 99%) than that of M. leucadendron (92%) and M. ericifolia (91.5%). The effects of the essential oils on the antioxidant system status in carbon tetrachloride treated animals were studied. The essential oil of M. armillaris exhibited a marked antioxidant effect, it improved vitamin E, vitamin C and superoxide dismutase parameters so it can be used as a free radical suppressor.

Sweet marjoram (German type) was grown in Egypt under the conditions of organic and traditional agriculture. Mature compost was used as an organic fertilizer, while ammonium sulphate was used as a chemical fertilizer. Two levels of each fertilizer were used during plant growth. The crops were harvested and hydrodistilled in June and September, the isolated essential oil was fractionated into oxygenated and hydrocarbon fractions, then each fraction was analysed by GC and GC-MS. The results showed that the fresh herb of marjoram plants positively responded to increased levels of either organic or chemical fertilizers. The herb yield was the highest in the September harvest. Although the higher level of organic fertilization negatively affected the oil content in the fresh herb, however, the total oil yield per plant remained comparable with the lower levels of both organic or chemical fertilization. Regarding the oil composition, the results showed that marjoram (German type) grown in Egypt belongs to the cis-sabinene hydrate/terpinene-4-ol chemotype. The chemical composition of marjoram essential oil did not change due to the fertilization type or level, but rather the relative percentage of certain constituents were affected. The highest concentration of cis-sabinene hydrate (24.1%), under organic treatment was reported for a June crop fertilized at level I, while the highest concentration of terpinene-4-ol, (39.5%), under the same treatment, was detected in a June crop at level II fertilization. Other components showed different concentrations depending on season of harvesting, treatment, and level of fertilization.

Flavonoid glycosides, orientin and apigenin 3, 8-di-C-glycosides in addition to, iridoid compound, aucubin were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Vitex agnus-castus fruits. Their structures were identified on the basis of the spectroscopic data. The estrogenic activity of the ethanolic extract in two dose levels 0.6 and 1.2 g kg(-1) per body weight (b.w.) was studied by the vaginal smear, and uterine weight methods for normal and ovariectomized female rats. The extract induced significant increase in the uterine weight of ovariectomized rats at two dose levels comparable to that of control group. The percentages of the total average number of scores were increased significantly too. Significant increases in plasma progesterone and total estrogens levels were shown at the two dose levels when compared to that of control group. On the other side, the extract induced significant reduction in luteinizing and plasma prolactin hormones.

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