Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITES OF THYMUS DECUSSATUS BENTH. GROWING IN EGYPT

Nevein M. Abdelhady, Atef A. EL-Hela*

Abstract

Liquid chromatography coupled with ion spray mass spectrometry in the tandem mode (LC/MS/MS) with negative ion detection was used for identification of a variety of phenolic compounds in methylene chloride fraction of methanol extract of Thymus decussatus Benth. growing in Egypt using gradient elution analysis. Standard solutions of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, were studied in negative ion mode where MS/MS product ion scans revealed that 3, 4'-dimethoxychrysin is the major component of methylene chloride fraction of Thymus decussatus Benth., in addition to isolation of salvigenin, apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and rutin respectively, moreover, structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was carried out by spectroscopic (UV, IR, 1D-NMR) methods. The antimicrobial study of the methanol extract showed strong effect against the selected microorganisms where screening of cytotoxic activity revealed the significant cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EAC), as well as two human cancer cell lines (U251) brain- tumor and (Hepg2) liver carcinoma cell –lines) respectively.

Keywords: Thymus decussatus Benth., Egypt, phenolic, liquid chromatography, antimicrobial and cytotoxic.