Studies on acclimatization and some biological activities of plectranthus ambiguus in Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present work was carried out to study the effect of the temperature on acclimatization and the growth of Plectranthus ambiguus Family Lamiaceae (Labiatae) in a greenhouse of controlled temperature, as well as studying the effect of different seasons in and out normal greenhouse conditions, The results clearly showed the effect of temperature on the survival percentage of plants during acclimatization with significant difference (p<0.05), as the highest significant percentages of survival were obtained with the degrees 30 and 35 ºC compared to the other treatments. Interestingly, the results indicated that the summer and autumn showed higher percentages of survival and growth rate compared to the other seasons. However, the best result was observed in the summer. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds and flavoniod contents were investigated in plants grown in and out the normal greenhouse. The obtained results outside the greenhouse were 30 %, 70 μg and 30 μg %, while the results inside the greenhouse were 25 %, 55 μg % and 28μg %, respectively. The genotoxic investigation on the cultivated plants outside the greenhouse was also carried out by feeding rats with 20 % dried leaves containing diet daily for four weeks. The results indicated that there were no significant genotoxic effects on the level of DNA damage.

Summary in Arabic.

1