ABSTRACT
The unsaponifiable fraction afforded by the pet. ether extract of the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum coronarium [var. discolor] was analysed by GLC. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[13]-C[29] in addition to cholesterol, stigmasterol and the triterpenoids alpha-amyrin and Beta-amyrin were identified. The GLC analysis of the fatty alcohol fraction revealed presence of 9 waxy alcohols, also analysis of the fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 14 fatty acids in which. linolenic acid represent the main component [19.42%]. The flavonoid constituents isolated from the flowers and leaves were identified as quercetin, luteolin-4'-methyl ether, quercetin-3-O-rhamnosyl from the flowers and luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide,quercetin-7-O-glucoside and quercetin -3-O-rhamnogalactoside from the leaves . Their identity was proved by m.p, TLC, PC, UV, [1]H-NMR and MS analysis. GLC analysis of the volatile oil of Chrysanthemunt coronarium [Var. discolor] allowed the identification of 27 compounds which represent [79.5%] of the oil. The oil is characterized by a high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which are limonene [19.3%] and alpha-pinene [11.14%] were the major compounds. Sesquiterpene compounds, either hydrocarbons or oxygenated, were detected as minor or trace amount. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed a strong antioxidant activity, using DPPH, while the volatile oil showed moderate activity, also the flavonoidal compounds isolated from the plant showed significant antioxidant activity compared to Trolox [standard antioxidant compound]. The different extracts and the isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma cell line, while the volatile oil which showed moderate activity