Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Alhagi graecorum Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxicity and Antifungal Activity

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using different plant parts has shown a great potential in medicinal and industrial applications. In this study, AgNPs were in vitro green synthesized using A. graecorum, and its antifungal and antitumoractivities were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image result indicated spherical shape of AgNPs with a size range of 22-36 nm indicated by using Image J program. The functional groups indicated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) represented the groups involved in the reduction of silver ion into nanoparticles. Alhagi graecorum AgNPs inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer cell line growth in increased concentration depend manner, significant differences shown at 50, 100, and 150 μg/ml concentrations compared to the control. Strong antifungal activity against Candida species (C. albicans., C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicales, and C. krusei) was observed and the inhibition zone range from 14-22 mm at a concentration of 0.01 mmol/ml and from 17-27 mm at a concentration of 0.02 mmol/ml. Based on our findings, it is concluded that synthesized silver nanoparticles from A. graecorum can be used as a potential antitumor and antifungal agent for various therapeutical applications.

Weed Flora of Fayoum (Egypt), One of the Oldest Agricultural Regions in the World

ABSTRACT: Fayoum region is the most fertile agricultural land in Egypt and one of the oldest agricultural city in the world. The present study aimed to determine its weed flora composition and its distribution through different habitats. Results recorded 175 species of vascular plants belonging to 124 genera and 35 families distributed in eight habitats. The richest families were Poaceae, Asteraceae (Compositae) and Fabaceae (Leguminoseae), while genera with the highest number of species were Euphorbia, Amaranthus and Cyperus. Cynodon dactylon and Alhagi graecorum were the present species, recorded at all habitats. Old cultivated lands recorded the highest species number followed by orchard habitats, on the contrast road side and wasteland habitats recorded the lowest species numbers. Therophytes were the dominant life form, while Phanerophytes were the smallest group in this study, 5%. The highest Jaccard similarity index was recorded between healthy land and orchard habitats, which supported also by ward classification.