Abstract (eng)
The following thesis is based on the analysis and effects of essential oils and extracts from five
different Egyptian plants (Nigella sativa, Salvia officinalis, Moringa peregrina, Salvia aegyptiaca
and Artemisia judaica). The essential oils and extracts were isolated from different plant parts,
different growth locations and different growth phases and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Some of
the ingredients were specific for some plants and their occurrence in high percentages, have been
demonstrated by several studies. Nigella sativa was rich in p-cymene, which is responsible for
many medical properties such as antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory and analgesic,
gastroprotective, anticancer, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic effects. Camphor, 1,8-cineole and
α-thujone were found in Salvia officinalis and have shown an anticarcinogenic effect in human lung
cancer A549 and NCI-H226 cells. Moringa Peregrina has shown an antiproliferation activity by
inhibiting the growth of three cancer cell lines, hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), breast
adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and colon carcinoma (HCT-116). β-Caryophyllene, bornyl acetate
and selina-4,11-diene were found in Salvia aegyptiaca, and indicated a protective activity against
liver and kidney damage. Artemisia judaica contained piperitone, trans-ethyl-cinnamate and ethyl-
3-phenyl propionate which showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels. As the medical
effect of plant essential oils were positively confirmed, there are more studies that need to be done
in order to explain their effects in therapy.