Assessment of genetic diversity in some endangered ecotypes of Solenostemma Argel sp. in Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Solenostemma argel (Argel) in the Aselepiadaceae is a monotypic genus distributed widely in the Arabian Desert, North Africa and Palestine (Jafri et aI., 1977). It is the only species found in Egypt (El-Hadidi et al., 1994). It is an erect shrub 60-100 em high, with profuse branching especially in favoured places (Hanna et aI., 2001). It is a vulnerable species which has a limited distribution in Egypt being endangered because of its intensive overuse. Solenostemma argel is a wild perennial plant commonly growing in the eastern desert (Tackholm, 1974). It is used as medicinal herbalism within the family Dogbane. The leaves are used in herbal medicine herbal for the treatment of some diseases such as of liver and kidney and allergies. It is an effective remedy for bronchitis and is used to treat neuralgia and sciatica (Innocenti et aI., 2005). In addition, the plant is used in herbal mixtures for the treatment of viral B and C hepatitis, as an immunostimulant, and in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (Shawkat, 1997) Climatic changes over the years are usually responsible for drastic changes of some habitats, the western and eastern desert of Egypt, which enjoyed a savanna Egypt. J. Genet. Cylol., 39: 115-129. Jan., 2010 and grassland vegetation during the pluvial period up to some 6,000 years ago, are now is a part of the arid zone of the Sahara (Boulos and Barakat, 1998).

Summary in Arabic.

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