A Pharmacognostical Study of Phyllanthus Boj.HoRT.Maurit.Family Euphorbiaceae Cultivated in Egypt

<Phyllanthus is a widespread tropical genus of the familyEuphorbiaceae which is characterized by the presence of manybiological active compounds such as: sterols, terpenes, flavonoids,tannins, lignans and polyphenolic compounds beside the presence ofsome alkaloids.So, this thesis comprises a phamacognostical study of a plantfrom this family and belong to genus Phyllanthus which wascultivated in Egypt, namely Phyllanthus atropurpureus Boj. Hort.Maurit. to perform:1. Botanical study of its different organs to facilitate theidentification of the plant in both entire and powderedforms.2. Isolation and characterization of its chemical constituents.3. Biological study of the plant extracts as well as isolatedcompounds.I- Macro- and Micromorphological study of different organs wascarried out to characterize the plant; as a result the followingcharacters comprises the main diagnostic features:1. The plant is a perennial monoecious shrub with dark olive greenpetiolated leaves showing red, purple or white colourations.2. The flower is unisexual, green or purple small axillary one.3. The rhizome of the plant is vertical showing dark reddish-brownrough, longitudinally wrinkled outer surface, giving 4 main rootson its lower end.4. Leaves are dorsiventral and its epidermis shows paracytic stomata ,conical-shaped papillae and no hairs.