pharmaacognostical study of the roots of cultivated ammi majus l

ABSTRACT

A phytochemical study of the successive extractives of the roots of Ammi majus L. [Apiaceae] was carried out in comparison with the fruits. Stigmasterol was found as a major constituent, in addition to a sugar alcohol [mannitol], beta-sitosterol and long chain hydrocarbons. The main furanocoumarins present in the fruits of Ammi majus L. [xanthotoxin, imperatorin and bergapten] could not be traced in the root extractives. A macro- and micromorphological study of the roots of Ammi majus L. grown in Egypt was presented. Also, the anti- microbial activity of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of this plant organ was carried out