The Response of Galega officinalis Plant to Different Nitrogen Sources and their Effect on Active Ingredients and Biological Activity

Galega officinalis, goat′s rue, a plant native to Euro-Asia and North Africa was introducing to Egypt as an objective for introducing important medicinal plants. The plant claimed to be useful in diabetic treatment, reduce weight and as anti platelet aggregation. Plant density and different nitrogen sources (organic, bio and chemical fertilizers) were tried to evaluate their effect on growth, yield, active ingredient, and its biological activity as anti diabetic. The results revealed that wide propagation distance produced higher growth and yield than the narrower one. The mineral nitrogen proved to be the effective source followed by compost then cattle manure on growth and yield of leaves, whole plant, flower, and sucker number. Total alkaloid was determined in leaves and it fluctuated with no clear trend, however was higher in sample taken at June. The fertilization had no effect on alkaloid accumulation. Goat′s rue total alkaloid showed the highest reduction percentage in blood glucose level after 2 hours in diabetic rats. [S. El-Gengaihi, Abeer Y. Ibrahim, S.F. Hendawy, and S. R. Abd El-hamid. The Response of Galega officinalis Plant to Different Nitrogen Sources and their Effect on Active Ingredients and Biological Activity. Journal of American Science 2011;7(3):388-398]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org.