Withania somnifera is a wild plant that shows great activity and safety against several human diseases. The current research explored the plant's chemical composition and allelopathic effects on Rumex dentatus (recipient plant). Moreover, anticancer activity is also tested against four types of human cancer cell lines. Chemical analysis of W. somnifera showed a high percentage of saponins and tannins, while glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids occurred in the second order. Results of the allelopathic experiments revealed significant inhibition of the R. dentatus plumule and radicle lengths as well as their relative dry weights. In addition, significant reductions in some primary metabolites of R. dentatus, like non-reducing and total sugar as well as soluble proteins, were determined. Cytotoxic potentiality of W. somnifera was also proved against four different cancer lines, namely; human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (A549), human breast cancer cell line (MCF7), and colon cancer cell line (CaCo2) with IC₅₀ value of about 38, 19, 27, and 24 𝜇g/ml, respectively.

Olea europaea L. (olive, Oleaceae) constitutes a source of many bioactive compounds, which have recognized benefits for both human health and technological purposes. The present article was carried out to evaluate the biological activity of oleuropein (an ester of 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) ethanol (hydroxytyrosol) which has the oleosidic skeleton that is common to the secoiridoid glucosides of Oleaceae). It occurred in leaf extracts of the four olive cultivars (Chemlali, Manzanilla, Picaul and Toffahi) as a source for some anticancer and antioxidant agents and their consequences on the action of Hordeum vulgare (barley). The total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were extracted from olive leaves by ethanol 95% then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The study evaluates the anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of olive leaves against breast and hepatocellular carcinoma cells showing high values. Also, the extract exhibited highly consequence on the antioxidant potentiality of barley which was assessed using the diphenyl picryl hydrazyl method (DDPH). These results pave the way for utilization of olive leaves as a source of natural anticancer and antioxidant agents.

Launaea is a polymorphic genus with inter- and intraspecific inconsistencies. The study aimed to revise the classification and identification of Launaea species in Egypt. The study also aimed to assess the inter- and intraspecific variation among taxa using macro- and micromorphological characters. Numerical analysis was carried out on 156 specimens, which were collected from 63 sites in Egypt. The results revealed that L. arabica, L. capitata, L. intybacea and L. spinosa were significantly (p-value < 2.2 × 10^{−16 ***}) discriminated from the other species at a high dissimilarity level. Launaea acanthodes was correctly identified as Lactuca orientalis. The study supported the inclusion of L. intybacea, L. massauensis and L. nudicaulis within section Microrhynchus, the separation of L. angustifolia and L. arabica in two distinct species. Two biotypes of L. nudicaulis were morphologically differentiated. Launaea fragilis subsp. fragilis showed considerable plasticity and variability in various characters; therefore, L. tenuiloba was considered to be merely an ecotype of L. fragilis. Launaea mucronata comprises two subspecies; cassiniana and mucronata, differentiated by their pappus type, conspicuous secondary ribs of the inner achenes, and the number of spines on the polar area of pollen grains.

ETHNO-PHYTOTECHNOLOGY combines ethnobotany and biotechnology. This study evaluated the ethnobotanical role, anticancer potential, and allelopathy of Tribulus terrestris L. The ethnobotanical survey of twenty informants used an open-ended questionnaire. T. terrestris contains steroids, saponins, antioxidants, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, proteins, and amino acids. The study investigated cytotoxic effects using six carcinoma cell lines. Hordeum vulgare and Lepidium sativum were used as recipient species in the allelopathy experiments. We found that 95% of the informants stated that T. terrestris is an aggressive species that injures livestock, reduces biodiversity, leads to soil dryness, consumes large amounts of space during the vegetative season, and affects soil pH and the absorption of minerals. Ethanolic extracts produced a significant effect on the prostate (PC3), breast (MCF 7), lung (A549), and liver (HEP-G2) carcinoma cell lines, with IC50 values of 19, 22, 33, and 33μg/mL, respectively. The intestinal carcinoma cell line (CAco2) had an IC50 60μg/mL. The colon (HCT) carcinoma cell line had an IC50 value of 68 μg/mL. Water extracts inhibited the seed germination, plumule length, radicle growth, and fresh and dry matter production of the recipient species. This study demonstrated that T. terrestris is potentially valuable as an anticancer agent and an herbicide against harmful weeds.

Endometritis is a postpartum uterine inflammation caused by bacterial infection often linked to complications such as abortion. The current study aims to manage microbial endometritis in cattle using the antimicrobial effects of probiotics, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and biophysical factors. The antimicrobial effects of some selected commercial Bacillus probiotic strains -divided into seven groups and biosynthesized AgNPs (1–5 mM) against various pathogenic strains were investigated. Experiments included AgNPs characterization (SEM/EDX, UV–Vis, and FTIR), and disc diffusion assays. The impact of UV, IR, and 50 Hz sinusoidal EMF at 5 mT on pathogen viability; both alone and in combination with AgNPs; was assessed followed by ultrastructural analysis (TEM). Group 1 (G1) probiotics showed the highest inhibition (16.57 ± 5.59 mm), especially against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. AgNPs (5 mM) synthesized from G1 achieved maximum antimicrobial activity (up to 52 mm for E. coli), with IR + AgNPs reducing bacterial counts by over 75%. In contrast, UV and EMF treatments, especially when combined with AgNPs, unexpectedly increased fungal growth. This study highlights the potent antimicrobial effects of probiotics and biosynthesized AgNPs, with the combination of IR and AgNPs demonstrating the strongest inhibitory activity, particularly against bacteria. In contrast, UV and EMF treatments were less effective and, in some cases, appeared to promote fungal growth.