Z. F. A h m e d , F. M. H a m m o u d a , A. M. R i z k and G. M. W a s s e l T h e authentication as well as the chemical investigation (glucides and alkaloids) of the Egyptian Plantago species have been previously reported by the authors (A h m e d et al., 1965). The study of the lipids of plantain seeds has been a subject of interest to some investigators (P e n d s e and S i k i b h u s h a n , 1935; P e n d s e , 1937; K a s h i m o t o , 1955). T h e fixed oil of Plantago ovata has been used in the form of sodium psylliate injection (N.F. 1955; Extra Pharmacopoeia 1958), as a sclerosing agent in the treatment of varicose veins and of internal hoemoroids that are not prolapsed o r thrombosed. T h e present work deals with the investigation of the fixed oils of the most common Egyptian Plantago species. Experimental and Results Material 'The seeds of the following species1 viz. P. notata, P. crypsoides, P. coronoprrs, P. cylindricn, P. albicnns and P. ovatn, were collected by the end of the flowering season in April, while thc seeds of the other two species viz. P. crassijolin and P, major were collected during the early srlnimer in June. Preparation of the Oil The seeds were, separately, dried at 60' C, powdered and exhausred with redistilled petroleum cther (b. p. 70-80' C) in a continuous extraction apparatus and the oil, in petroleum ether, was treated with Fuller's earth. The latter was removed by filtration and the solvent was removed by distillation. The residual oil was heated at 70' C in a vacuum oven to remove the last traces of solvent. The percentages of the oil, as well as the unsaponifiable matter and the total fatty acids were determined and the results obtained are listed in Table 1. A. Fatty Acids Gas-liquid chro~natography as well as the permanganate oxidation and spectrophotometric techniques were applied in the study of the fatty acids. The systematic identification o f the plants was carried out by Dr. K. H. B a t a n o u n y ,

By z.'F. A h r n e d l , A. M. R i z k , F. M. H a m m o u d a and M. M. S e i f E l-N a s r Glucosinolates Glucosinolates, a uniform class of thioglucoside anions (I) (K j a r , 1968), sulphur glucosides o r isothiocyanates producing glucosides are different names of a group of naturally occurring glucosides which contain sulphur atom in its building structure. Glucosinolates are usually hydrolysed with the enzyme myrosinase to mustard oils (isothiocyanates), glucose and sulphate ions. T h e occurrence of pungent principles in numerous higher plants, particularly those belonging to the family Cruciferae, has been recognized since ancient times and has motivated the extensive application in several parts of the world of such plants as potherbs, condiments and remedies (K j z r , 1961). More than a hundred years ago, the sulphur-containing compounds responsible for the production of the biting principles of black and white mustard were isolated in a crystalline form. T h e glucosides encountered thus far have invariably contained D-glucose as the sugar moiety, a fact justifying their designation as glucosides in a stricter sense. I t has been customary to attribute trivial names to the individual parent compounds indicating their botanical provenance and preceded by the prefix gluco-(e.g. glucoiberin (ex lberis), glucotropaeolin (ex Tropaeolurn) etc.). T h e classical glucosides sinigrin and sinalbin represent exceptions to rhis general system of naming. lsothiocyanate Glucosides Occurrence and Distribution Foremost among botanical families containing mustard-oil-producing glucosides are the Cruciferae, Capparidaceae, and Resedaceae (K j a r , 1960; E t tl i n g e r and K j z r , 1967; G m e l i n and K j z r , 1970a and c) generally regarded as a phylogenetic alliance. Sporadic appearance of such glucosides in species belonging t o the families Tropaeolaceae, Saluadoraceae, Caricaceae, Limnanl Deceased in 30. l. 1971.

PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN CESTRUM SPECIES General Analysis, Lipids and Triterpenoids ByM. S. K a r a w y a , A. M. R i z k , F. M. H a m m o u d a , A. M. D i a b and Z. F. A h m e d T h e Cestrum species (Solanaceae) are mostly cultivated shrubs or small trees which have been introduced rather recently into Egypt for ornamental purposes. Beside their reputation for their bright, attractive and fragrant flowers, most of Cestrum species find several applications in folk medicine. C. laevigatum is applied as a sedative dressing to wounds and ulcers and taken as an antispasmodic and diuretic, C. parqui is used in Chile as antifebrile, while C. nocturntlrn is said to be poisonous (W a t t and B r e y e r-B r a n d w i j k , 1962), and reported also to be used for epilepsy and as a stupefying charm medicine in West Indies. C h a t t e rf e e and R a y (1964) studied the saponin from the leaves of C. diurnum for its possible cardiotonic property, and found that it caused an initial stimulation of the amplitude of the heart followed by a decrease in the amplitude till the heart stopped in diastole, an effect similar to that produced by the saponin of C. nocturnum. Like cardiac glycosides, saponins of C. ditrrnurn cause an initial stimulation of cardiac output but not of the rate of outflow. Certain Cestrum species have been a subject of interest to some investigators from the phytochemical point of view particularly their steroid alkaloids and saponins (C a n h a m and W a r r e n , 1950; S i l v a et al., 1962; C h a k r a v a r t i et al., 1962, 1963; K a r a w y a et al., 1970). C. parqui and C. diurnum were reported to contain triterpenic acids (C h a k r a v a r t i et a]., 1963). This part of work deals with the general analysis, lipids and triterpenoids of certain Cestrum species growing in Egypt vi z. C. nurantiacum Li n d l., C. diurnum L. and C. purpureum S t a n d. Experimental and Results Plant Material The plants were collected from the Ornamental Plants Farm, Horticulture Dept., Cairo University in Apri1.l The plants were kindly authenticated by Prof. V. Tick h o 1 m , Faculty o f Science, Cairo University.

The toxic triterpenes of Lantana camara L. were given particular attention. L o u w (1943) and B a r t o n et al. (1958) contributed to the elucidation of their structure. B a r t o n et al. (1954) stated that these constituents are variable and could not be traced in the plant growing in South Africa. For this reason it was deemed of interest to investigate the triterpenes of the plant grown in Egypt. Moreover, during the preliminary chemical screening, compounds with unsaturated lactone ring or keto group were revealed. This paper deals with the study of these two groups of compounds in the plant cultivated in Egypt. Experimental and Results Material The stems, leaves and flowers of Lantana camara L. cultivated in different localities of Egypt (Assiut, Cairo), were collected. The plant organs were air dried and then reduced to No. 40 powder.

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