LC-MS/MS and GC-MS analyses of three endemic Astragalus species from Anatolia towards their total phenolicflavonoid contents and biological activities

Present work aims to determine the chemical profile and some biological activity of three endemic Astragalus species from Anatolia. The chemical contents of Astragalus leporinus var. hirsutus, Astragalus distinctissimus and Astragalus schizopterus were characterised by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS. In terms of biological activity; the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were determined. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of the major components were also determined and compared to the antioxidant capacities of these extracts. The most abundant flavonoids in these Astragalus species were determined as rutin (1028.276-13351.76 µg/g extract) and hesperidin (1604.348-9695.435 µg/g extract). A high amount of quinic acid (111302.774 µg/g extract) was detected in A. schizopterus methanol extract. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was found to be the major compound in A. leporinus var. hirsutus (32.9%), A. distinctissimus (32.5%), and A.schizopterus (23.4%). A. schizopterus methanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant effect in lipid peroxidation (19.62±0.29), DPPH free (54.61±0.38) and ABTS cation radicals scavenging activity (22.01±0.07), and CUPRAC assays. Among all of the extracts, only A. leporinus var. hirsutus petroleum ether extract showed moderate inhibitory activity against acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes. The methanol extracts of the plants exhibited moderate activity against C. albicans. A. leporinus var. hirsutus methanol extract indicated the most viability against L929 fibroblast cells, and the highest cytotoxic effect against A549 cells. In consideration of our findings , these Astragalus species used as animal feed could be a source of naturally, biologically active agents that can be used in food and pharmaceutical industry.