الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present study provides a detailed description for the floristic and ecological features of eight medicinal and aromatic plant species of family Zygophyllaceae that growing naturally in Egypt. In addition, assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of aqueous leaf extract of the selected Zygophyllaceae species using Allium cepa test (var. Giza 20). Also shed light on their economic potentialities by studying primary composition, mineral content, secondary metabolites and biological activities. These Zygophyllaceae species included Fagonia arabica L., Fagonia bruguieri DC., Fagonia cretica L., Fagonia mollis Delile, Zygophyllum aegyptium Hosny, Zygophyllum coccineum L., Zygophyllum decumbens Delile, and Zygophyllum simplex L.The present study aims at the following objectives: 1- Study the floristic features of the selected Zygophyllaceae species and their associates in the study area. 2-Quantitative analysis of vegetation structure for the selected species and their associates using multivariate analysis (classification and ordination). 3-Analysis of variations in the edaphic factors to determine the effective factors controlling the abundance and distribution of the selected species and their associates in the study area 4- Evaluation of the economic potentialities of the selected species by studying: Primary composition and mineral content, Secondary metabolites, Biological activities by screening: 5- Cytological studies include assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of aqueous leaf extract of the selected Zygophyllaceae species using Allium cepa test. 6-Biochemical studies include SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to identify protein profiles. 7- Molecular studies include: DNA finger printing using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) analysis, DNA finger printing using SCoT (Start codon targeted) analysis. The sampling was carried out in 38 sampled stands within two types of deserts in Egypt; the inland Eastern desert and the coastal desert of Mediterranean Sea coast to investigate the floristic features and chorological affinities of the selected species with their associates in relation to soil variables. For conclusion, the aerial parts of the studied Zygophyllaceae species are good sources of nutrients, minerals and secondary metabolites. These findings may promote their uses in plant-based antioxidants and folk medicine. By comparing with other studied Zygophyllaceae species, Fagonia cretica could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidant. On the other hand, the results in the present study suggested that the aqueous extracts of the selected Zygophyllaceae species possess inhibitory, mito-depressive effects on cell division and chromosome behavior of Allium cepa, so there is a demand for the use of these plants in the health systems in order to prevent the danger of the hazardous effects of medicinal plants and achieve a greater health care coverage.