Abstract:
The present study attempts to explore the phytochemical constituents of different extracts from Cynara
cornigera and Cichorium endivia plant materials. The two species studied are native in Egypt. Five different
solvents, viz., aqueous, methylene chloride, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol were
used. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, sterols (stigmasterol and betasitosterol),
terpenes (α-amyrin, ursolic and oleanolic acid), and hydrocarbons (n-alkane), the latter found
in low amount. The ethyl acetate and water extracts of C. cornigera root showed lower mass fractions of
phenolic compounds ranged from 20 to 81 g/100 g, and higher amounts in ethyl acetate extract of the
inflorescences and butanol extract of the root where values ranged from 195 to 399 g/100 g. The
β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were present in all plant extracts. Oleanolic and ursolic acids were detected
in roots, leaves and inflorescences of C. cornigera and in C. endivia shoot. The ethyl acetate extracts from
C. cornigera leaf and inflorescence attained higher chemical diversity than the other extracts.
Alternatively, sterols and triterpenes were the major constituents. The high chemical diversity of active
constituents justifies the future potential use of the two species at commercial level.
