Few studies thoroughly investigated different Yucca species introduced to Egypt. As a part of our ongoing investigation of the Yucca species; Yucca aloifolia and its variety Yucca aloifolia variegata, Yucca filamentosa, and Yucca elephantipes (Asparagaceae) were extensively subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation. Yucca species cultivated in Egypt showed no antimicrobial effect. GC/MS of the lipoid contents of Y. aloifolia variegata was carried out. Twenty-six fatty acids were identified. Saturated fatty acids established almost twice the unsaturated ones and constituted 64.64% of which palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid signifying 58.28% and 30.98%, respectively. Hydrocarbons were 21 constituting 39.64% of the unsaponifiable fraction. Only three sterols 42.36% were detected, major was γ-sitosterol. LC–MS/MS comparison of the 4 plant extracts imply that Y.aloifolia variegata L extract was the richest, which was apparent through its superior biological activity. LC–MS/MS analysis of the total alcoholic extract (Alc) of the leaves of Y.aloifolia variegata L. was performed using MS-techniques at different voltages; equal to 35 and 135 eV. Negative and positive-ion modes analyses at low fragmentation energy allowed the tentative identification of 41 and 34 compounds, respectively. The LC–ESI–MS/MS analysis in the positive mode proved to be better in the identification of saponins.

In silico exploration of 12 Tecoma phytocompounds that could serve as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV entry to host cells.

Yucca aloifolia, Y. aloifolia variegata, Y. elephantipes and Y. filamentosa were investigated. DNA sequencing was performed for the four plants and a genomic DNA fingerprint was obtained and provided. The cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines were investigated. The ethanolic extracts of leaves of Y. aloifolia variegata prevailed, especially against liver cancer HepG-2 and breast cancer MCF-7. In vivo assessment of hepatoprotective activity in rats also revealed the hepatoprotective potential of the ethanolic extracts of the four plants against CCl- induced rats' liver damage. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the flavonoid and phenolic content of the promising species was performed using HPLC. The analysis identified and quantified 18 flavonoids and 19 phenolic acids in the different fractions of Y. aloifolia variegata, among which the major flavonoids were hesperidin and kaemp-3-(2-p-coumaroyl) glucose and the major phenolic acids were gallic acid and protocatechuic acid.

Abstract. Tecoma genus is a medicinally-valuable member in Bignoniaceae family comprising fourteen defectively-demarcated species with overlapping vegetative characters. Our study aimed to explore the micro-morphometric, phytochemical and genetic diversity among eight cultivated Tecoma plants. The variabilities existing in three data matrices derived from micro-morphometric features of powdered leaves, high performance liquid chromatographic fingerprints and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints were explored by multivariate analysis. The microscopical measurements of non-glandular trichomes, i.e. collapsed multicellular and branched, and glandular trichomes were revealed to be the significant botanical discriminatory features of the powdered plant specimens, however species-specific phytochemical markers were identified to be gallic acid, catechin and chlorogenic acid for T. radicans, T. grandiflora, T. capensis var. yellow, respectively. Sinapic acid was enriched in T capensis and its varieties i.e. pink, red and harmony. RAPD primers i.e. OP-B02, OP-C04 and OP-K2 served as molecular descriptors producing the highest polymorphism among the plants. The variabilities within two trumpet creeper plants “T. radicans and T. grandiflora” were unveiled via their micro-morphometric features as well as genetic fingerprints. Tecoma hybrid “Tecoma ×smithii” was more micro-morphometrically similar to the Chinese “T. grandiflora.” than T. capensis which is one of its parent plants, and proved to be more genetically related to it. This is the report for biodiversity in botanical, chemical and genetic aspects of Tecoma plants which are essential for the comprehensive authentication and differentiation among the studied plants assisted by multivariate analysis. The presented approach provides a competent and time-saving tool for simultaneously-discriminating among closely-related species.   Resumen. El género Tecoma es un miembro medicinalmente valioso de la familia Bignoniaceae que comprende catorce especies demarcadas defectuosamente con caracteres vegetativos superpuestos. Nuestro estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar la diversidad micromorfométrica, fitoquímica y genética entre ocho plantas de Tecoma cultivadas. Se exploraron mediante análisis multivariado las variabilidades existentes en tres matrices de datos derivadas de las características micromorfométricas de las hojas en polvo, las huellas dactilares por medio de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución y las huellas dactilares de ADN polimórfico amplificado al azar (RAPD). Las mediciones microscópicas de tricomas no glandulares, esto es, tricomas multicelulares colapsados ​​y ramificados, y tricomas glandulares mostraron ser las características significativas de discriminación botánica de las muestras en polvo de plantas. Se identificaron marcadores fitoquímicos específicos para algunas especies como ácido gálico, catequina y ácido clorogénico para T. radicans, T. grandiflora, T. capensis var. amarillo, respectivamente. El ácido sinápico está enriqueció en T capensis y sus variedades, esto es, rosa, rojo y armonía. Los cebadores RAPD, esto es, OP-B02, OP-C04 y OP-K2 sirvieron como descriptores moleculares que producen el polimorfismo más elevado entre las plantas. A través de sus características micromorfométricas y sus huellas genéticas se determinó la variabilidad en dos plantas trepadoras de trompeta “T. radicans y T. grandiflora.” El híbrido de Tecoma “Tecoma × smithii” es micromorfométricamente más similar al chino “T. grandiflora” que a T. capensis, que es una de sus plantas progenitoras, y mostró estar más relacionada genéticamente con ella. En esta investigación de biodiversidad en aspectos botánicos, químicos y genéticos de las plantas de Tecoma que son esenciales para la autenticación y diferenciación integral entre las plantas estudiadas con la ayuda del análisis multivariado. El enfoque presentado proporciona una herramienta eficiente y que ahorra tiempo para discriminar simultáneamente entre especies estrechamente relacionadas.