Mineral and Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Herbal Material from Two Temperate Astragalus Species

Nutritional, Chemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Screening of Astragalus cicer L. and Astragalus glycyphyllos L. Different Morphological Parts

The chemical composition and biological activity of A. glycyphylos and A. cicer are scarcely investigated. In this study, the nutritional and chemical profiles of A. cicer and A. glycyphyllos, considering their different morphological parts (leaves, fruits and roots), were assessed together with their antioxidant and antibacterial potential. Our results showed that carbohydrates are the major macronutrients in both Astragalus species (above 62 g/100 g dry weight-DW). High amounts of ash (above 4.6 g/100 g DW) and protein (above 13.0 g/100 g DW) were also identified, particularly in leaves and fruits of A. cicer and A. glycyphyllos. Moreover, A. cicer was richer in sugars than A. glycyphyllos, while roots of both Astragalus species were the richest of fatty acids. Ten phenolic compounds were identified, with gallic acid and quercetin being predominant, above 49.84 and 37.27 μg/g DW, respectively. The mineral analysis revealed zinc and iron as the major constituents. Regarding the plants' antioxidant and antibacterial activity, both Astragalus species had antioxidant potential, and their water extracts showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Altogether, these results provide insight into the potential of A. glycyphyllos and A. cicer as a source of nutritional benefits and active phytochemicals for many people, and they can be applied in the food sector as foods and as promising sources of natural ingredients.

Chemical Composition and Therapeutic Effects of Several Astragalus Species (Fabaceae)

The review integrates information on the component composition and biological activity of some Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) species from studies reported over the past 5-7 years. The aerial and underground parts of 34 Astragalus species contain triterpene saponins, flavonoids, polysacharides, tannins, free organic acids, higher fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements, and other constituents. Among the Astragalus species, A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is the best studied in terms of component composition and biological activity. Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anticancer, cardioprotective, and hepathoprotective activities have been experimentally detected in total bioactive substances, fractions, and individual compounds extracted from various parts of A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus in vitro and in vivo. The composition and biological effects of other Astragalus species are still poorly understood. The review summarizes the recent advances in studying new compounds extracted from Astragalus species and their biological activities.

Characterization of Phenolic Profile and Biological Properties of Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge Commercial Samples

Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge (syn. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge) is one of the notable medicinal and food plants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to calculate the phenolic composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial, as well as enzyme inhibitory [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and tyrosinase (TYR)] activities with chemometric approaches of the hydromethanolic and water extracts of commercial A. membranaceus samples. Ten individual phenolic compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and only quercetin was found at a level of above 80 µg/g DW in both extracts. Moreover, the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays was found in the sample containing the roots in loose form from USA. A. membranaceus extracts displayed the inhibition zone diameters within the range from 10 to 22 mm antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, while there were no inhibition zones in any extracts in case of E. coli. The extracts of A. membranaceous showed an inhibition rate below 40% against TYR, and among tested extracts, only two samples were able to inhibit BChE with IC50 values of above 30 µg/mL. Correlation analysis showed a highly positive relationship between their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. Concluding, the obtained results confirmed that A. membranaceus commercial samples could be an important dietary source of natural antioxidants.

Can Isoflavone-Rich Legume Plants Be Useful in the Chemoprevention of Hormone-Dependent Cancers?-A Systematic Review

Plants from the Fabaceae family are widely distributed around the world, especially in Europe, Asia and North America. They are a rich source of isoflavones, compounds with estrogen-like activity, which are suspected of having a chemopreventive effect against hormone-dependent cancers. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review aimed at assessing the impact of Fabaceae plant extracts on hormone-dependent cancer cells and the content of active compounds in plant raw materials. We analyzed the results of 63 articles from in vitro and in vivo studies describing the effect of plant extracts containing isoflavones on cancer cells, along with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. In the process, we determined the research limitations and future research directions. The collected results indicate the plant species with potentially high contents of phytoestrogens and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. They point to the potential use of plants in the diet as a source of compounds offering cancer prevention.

Chemical and Biological Properties of Biochanin A and Its Pharmaceutical Applications

Biochanin A (BCA), an isoflavone derived from various plants such as chickpea, red clover and soybean, is attracting increasing attention and is considered to have applications in the development of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties. To design optimised and targeted BCA formulations, on one hand there is a need for more in-depth studies on the biological functions of BCA. On the other hand, further studies on the chemical conformation, metabolic composition and bioavailability of BCA need to be conducted. This review highlights the various biological functions, extraction methods, metabolism, bioavailability, and application prospects of BCA. It is hoped that this review will provide a basis for understanding the mechanism, safety and toxicity of BCA and implementing the development of BCA formulations.

Effect of dietary biochanin A on lactation performance, antioxidant capacity, rumen fermentation and rumen microbiome of dairy goat

Biochanin A (BCA), an isoflavone phytoestrogen, is a secondary metabolite produced mainly in leguminous plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of BCA on lactation performance, nitrogen metabolism, and the health of dairy goat. Thirty mid-lactation Saanen dairy goats were divided into three groups randomly: control, 2 g/d BCA group, and 6 g/d BCA group. After 36 days of feeding, 30 dairy goats were transferred to individual metabolic cages. Subsequently, milk yield, feed intake, total feces, and urine excretion were recorded and samples were collected continuously for 3 days. Blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected over the subsequent 4 days. Milk yield, milk protein, fat content, and the feed conversion ratio of dairy goat were significantly increased by the BCA treatment. The levels of serum 17β-estradiol, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, glutathione peroxidase activity, and total antioxidant capacity were also increased significantly by BCA, indicating that BCA enhanced the antioxidant capacity of dairy goat. Amino acid degradation was significantly inhibited, while the ammonia nitrogen content was reduced significantly by BCA. Total volatile fatty acids was significantly increased by BCA supplementation. In addition, the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiota was decreased significantly. However, the growth of nitrogen metabolism and cellulolytic bacteria was significantly increased under BCA treatment, including Prevotella sp., Treponema sp., Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Ruminobacter amylophilus. In conclusion, supplementation with BCA improved the milk production performance, nitrogen metabolism, rumen fermentation and antioxidant capacity, and regulated the rumen microbiome of dairy goat.

In Vitro and In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Astragalus floccosus Boiss. (Fabaceae)

Estrogens are a group of sex hormones which have receptors on the skin and lead to increased cells and wound healing. Normally isoflavonoids are present in Astragalus floccosus Boiss. (Leguminosae). Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of isoflavonoids in A. floccosus' rich fraction of flavonoid and evaluate its wound healing effect accordingly. Flavonoids were evaluated by LCMS. Scratch was conducted and the medium culture was treated with the Astragalus' rich fraction of flavonoid (RFF) and was compared with nontreated culture during 48 hours. In addition, in vivo full-thickness wound healing evaluation was performed on rats. The rats were put into four groups and treated on a daily basis for 21 days with a cream containing 1.5% of the RFF (group 1), silver sulfadiazine (group 2), and Vaseline (group 3) separately. The nontreated group (group 4) was created for a better comparison. During the examination, wound size was evaluated and histopathological examination was performed. Herbal analysis detected 11 flavonoids, including 2 isoflavonoids, Calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside and Formononetin, in the RFF. In vitro scratch wound healing showed significant improvement with RFF treatment in comparison to nontreated medium. Furthermore, in vitro drug release of Astragalus ointment showed a stationary line during 24 h and 0.14 mg/ml of flavonoid penetrated the skin. In vivo wound size evaluation showed significant improvement in the group treated with the RFF in comparison to other groups. Histopathological results indicated that congestion, edema, inflammation, necrosis, and angiogenesis decreased during the examination and fibroblast proliferation fibrosis epithelization was increased especially in the RFF group in comparison to the silver sulfadiazine and free groups. In conclusion, A. floccosus showed that wound healing activity in both in vitro and in vivo analyses can be attributed to the presence of isoflavonoids with estrogen-like activity in this plant.

Investigation of Photoprotective, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant Capacities and LC-ESI-MS Phenolic Profile of Astragalus gombiformis Pomel

Plant-derived compounds have recently been gaining popularity as skincare factors due to their ability to absorb ultraviolet radiations and their anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this light, this work aimed to evaluate in vitro the pharmacological activities of the butanolic extract prepared from the aerial parts of Astragalus gombiformis Pomel, an endemic species to southern Algeria. The sun protection factor was used to assess the photoprotective effect (SPF), the protein denaturation method to determine the anti-inflammatory activity, and brine shrimp nauplii and OxHLIA assay, respectively, to assess the cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacity of A. gombiformis. In addition, LC-ESI-MS analysis was employed for the characterization of the phenolic constituents of A. gombiformis. The results showed that A. gombiformis had high capacity for absorbing UV radiations with an SPF of 37.78 ± 0.85 and significant anti-inflammatory activity with a percentage inhibition of 75.38% which is close to that of diclofenac and ketoprofen. In addition, A. gombiformis was found to have effective cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii with a DC50 value of about 44.7 µg/mL, but a weak hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes. LC-ESI-MS results detected the presence of 17 phenolic compounds with a predominance of cirsiliol, silymarin, quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside), and kaempferol. Taken together, these results suggest that A. gombiformis extract could be used as a skincare agent in cosmetic formulations, providing excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, allowing the treatment of skin conditions, as well as a pharmaceutical agent with multidimensional applications.

Astragalus species: Insights on its chemical composition toward pharmacological applications

Astragalus L. is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus is widely used in folk medicine and in dietary supplements, as well as in cosmetics, teas, coffee, vegetable gums, and as forage for animals. The major phytoconstituents of Astragalus species with beneficial properties are saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Astragalus extracts and their isolated components exhibited promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities, including antiaging, antiinfective, cytoprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabesity, and immune-enhancing properties. Considering their proven therapeutic potential, the aim of this work is to give a comprehensive summary of the Astragalus spp. and their active components, in an attempt to provide new insight for further clinical development of these xenobiotics. This is the first review that briefly describes their ethnopharmacology, composition, biological, and toxicological properties.

Biochanin A: A novel bioactive multifunctional compound from nature

Natural products (NPs) will continue to serve humans as matchless source of novel drug leads and an inspiration for the synthesis of non-natural drugs. As our scientific understanding of 'nature' is rapidly expanding, it would be worthwhile to illuminate the pharmacological distinctions of NPs to the scientific community and the public. Flavonoids have long fascinated scientists with their remarkable structural diversity as well as biological functions. Consequently, this review aims to shed light on the sources and pharmacological significance of a dietary isoflavone, biochanin A, which has been recently emerged as a multitargeted and multifunctional guardian of human health. Biochanin A possesses anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and hepatoprotective properties. It combats cancer development by inducing apoptosis, inhibition of metastasis and arresting cell cycle via targeting several deregulated signaling pathways of cancer. It fights inflammation by blocking the expression and activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines via modulation of NF-κB and MAPKs. Biochanin A acts as a neuroprotective agent by inhibiting microglial activation and apoptosis of neurons. As biochanin A has potential to modulate several biological networks, thus, it can be anticipated that this therapeutically potent compound might serve as a novel lead for drug development in the near future.

Chemical Profiling and Biological Properties of Extracts from Different Parts of Colchicum Szovitsii Subsp. Szovitsii

Like other members of the Colchicum genus, C. szovitsii subsp. szovitsii is also of medicinal importance in Turkish traditional medicine. However, its biological properties have not been fully investigated. Herein, we focused on the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects of flower, root and leaf extracts, obtained using different extraction methods. In addition, a comprehensive (poly)-phenolic and alkaloid profiling of the different extracts was undertaken. In this regard, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) allowed us to putatively annotate 195 polyphenols and 87 alkaloids. The most abundant polyphenols were flavonoids (83 compounds), whilst colchicine and 2-demethylcolchicine were some of the most widespread alkaloids in each extract analyzed. However, our findings showed that C. szovitsii leaf extracts were a superior source of both total polyphenols and total alkaloids (being, on average 24.00 and 2.50 mg/g, respectively). Overall, methanolic leaf extracts showed the highest (p < 0.05) ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) reducing power (on average 109.52 mgTE/g) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (on average 90.98 mgTE/g). Interestingly, each C. szovitsii methanolic extract was more active than the water extracts when considering enzymatic inhibition such as against tyrosinase, glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Strong correlations (p < 0.01) were also observed between polyphenols/alkaloids and the biological activities determined. Multivariate statistics based on supervised orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) allowed for the detection of those compounds most affected by the different extraction methods. Therefore, this is the first detailed evidence showing that C. szovitsii subsp. szovitsii might provide beneficial effects against oxidative stress and the associated chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanisms of action need to be further investigated.

Microwave-Assisted Extraction Combined with In-Capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-CE-DAD to Screen Active Components with the Ability to Chelate Ferrous Ions from Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Flos Sophorae)

An efficient microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) combined with in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-capillary electrophoresis-Diode Array Detector (in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-CE-DAD) was developed to screen active components with the ability to chelate ferrous ions and determine the total antioxidant activity. The MAE conditions, including methanol concentration, extraction power, extraction time, and the ratio of material to liquid, were optimized by an L₉(3⁴) orthogonal experiment. Background buffer, voltage, and cartridge temperature that affect the separation of six compounds were optimized. It was found that rutin and quercetin were the main components chelating ferrous ions in Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Flos Sophorae) by the in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)₃]²⁺-CE-DAD. The recoveries were ranged from 95.2% to 104%. It was concluded that the MAE combined with in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)₃]²⁺-CE-DAD method was a simple, reliable, and efficient tool for screening active components from the complex traditional Chinese medicine samples and evaluating their ability to chelate ferrous ions.

Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds of Western Siberia Astragalus danicus in different regions

The potential of phenolic compounds of medicinal plants including Astragalus danicus L is determined by but not limited to their antioxidant activity. Their anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and other useful properties are known, which allows using these phytochemicals within preventive activities to reduce the risk of many serious diseases. Chromatographic analysis of the Astragalus danicus L. biomaterial from the plant samples collected in three regions of the Kemerovo region (Western Siberia, Russia) established the presence of compounds of flavonols (isorhamnetin glucoside, kaempferol glucoside), flavones (apigenin 7-glucoside), phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid) in the aerial part of plants. The total content of phenolic compounds in plant samples ranged from 100.75 ± 3.87 mg/g (Yashkinsky district) to 190.95 ± 7.34 mg/g (Belovsky district). The content of chlorogenic acid in the studied samples was from 0.14 ± 0.01 mg/g to 1.16 ± 0.04 mg/g. Isorhamnetin glucoside was found only in samples of plants from two districts - Prokopievsky (41.39 ± 1.58 mg/g) and Belovsky (95.0 ± 3.66 mg/g). The content of glucosides of kaempferol ranged from 0.38 ± 0.01 mg/g to 0.55 ± 0.02 mg/g. Its content is almost twice as high as the content in the well-known analogues of Astragalus. Apigenin-7-glucoside was isolated in Astragalus samples for the first time, in a small amount (3.34 ± 0.13 mg/g) in a sample of plants of one growing zone. Studies have confirmed that the content of flavonoids in plants significantly depends not only on the genetic characteristics of plants, but also on the hydrothermal regime, the climatic conditions of different botanical and geographical areas of the habitat. This work shows that Astragalus danicus L. growing in Kemerovo region is a promising raw material for pharmacological preparations.

Small-Seeded Legumes as a Novel Food Source. Variation of Nutritional, Mineral and Phytochemical Profiles in the Chain: Raw Seeds-Sprouted Seeds-Microgreens

Growing public concerns about health haves prompted the search for novel food sources. The study is focused on the seeds, sprouted seeds and microgreens of Trifolium pratense, T. medium, Medicago sativa, M. lupulina, Onobrychis viciifolia, Astragalus glycyphyllos and A. cicer species as a potential source of value-added food ingredientsr. The samples were analysed for nutritional (wet chemistry, standard methods) and mineral (atomic absorption spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry) profiles, isoflavones (ultra-performance liquid with diode array detector ⁻UPLC-DAD), coumestrol (UPLC-DAD), condensed tannins (CT) (vanillin-H₂SO₄ assay) and triterpene saponins (UPLC with triple-stage quadrupole MS). In our study, each species displayed high, but species-dependent nutritional, mineral and phytochemical value. All counterparts of legumes were mineral and protein rich. A. glycyphyllos samples, especially seeds, were abundant in iron. Trifolium spp. were found to be important sources of isoflavones, Medicago spp. of coumestrol and saponins, and O. viciifolia of CT. The protein and phytochemical contents increased and total carbohydrates decreased from seeds to microgreens.Our findings proved for the first time that seeds, sprouted seeds, and especially microgreens of small-seeded legumes are promising new sources of ingredients for fortification of staple foods with bioactive compounds, minerals and nutrients.

Pancratium triflorum Roxb. (Amaryllidaceae) and Molineria trichocarpa (Wight) N.P. Balakr (Hypoxidaceae): Cytotoxic and antioxidant activities

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Pancratium triflorum Roxb and Molineria trichocarpa were collected from South Vagaikulam, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India. The antioxidant activities of P. triflorum extracts were as follows with the IC₅₀ values methanol (228.13 μg/mL) > chloroform (311.33 μg/mL) > acetone (398.08 μg/mL) > petroleum ether (410.16 μg/mL). The antioxidant activities of P. triflorum and M. trichocarpa extracts were as follows with the IC₅₀ values methanol (80.93 μg/mL) > acetone (98.02 μg/mL) > chloroform (186.84 μg/mL) > petroleum ether (209.64 μg/mL). Among the various extracts of P. triflorum, methanolic extracts showed the strongest phosphomolybdenum reduction (140.56 g AA/100 g). Among the tested extracts, acetone extracts of M. trichocarpa showed maximum inhibition with 71.36 ± 5.86%. In P. triflorum, chloroform extracts showed maximum inhibition (69.51%). The petroleum ether extract of M. trichocarpa was found to be most effective at which 50% mortality (LC₅₀) and 90% mortality (LC₉₀) of brine shrimp nauplii were found to be 29.22 and 184.82 mg/mL. This study results revealed the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of P. triflorum and M. trichocarpa. Further investigations are needed to isolate and validate the active principles of the extract responsible various pharmacological properties.