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DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282933
Saponins from Astragalus pycnocephalus var. pycnocephalus FISCHER and their α/β-glucosidase inhibitory effects
The genus Astragalus belonging to the Leguminosae family is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the world. In the flora of Turkey, this genus is represented by 445 species [1,2]. The roots of Astragalus are used in traditional medicine as an antiperspirant, diuretic and tonic drug. It has also been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, nephritis, leukemia and uterine cancer [3]. Astragalus species are known to be rich in two major classes of biologically active compounds, polysaccharides and saponins. Also the indolizidine alkaloids, the nitro compounds and flavonoids were isolated from the genus [4–6].
Inhibition of glycoside hydrolases has widespread application in the treatment of diabetes, viral infections, lysosomal storage diseases and cancers. As part of our ongoing research of new bioactive compounds from Turkish Astragalus species, we carried out a study on A. pycnocephalus Fischer var. pycnocephalus. In the present work, four known secondary metabolites namely trojanoside H, astragaloside IV, astragaloside VIII, and astrasieversianin X were purified by various chromatographic techniques and their inhibitory effects on α- and β-glucosidases were investigated. The compounds showed strong inhibition against α-glucosidase whereas they had moderate activity against β-glucosidase. This is the first phytochemical and biological activity investigation reported on A. pycnocephalus var. pycnocephalus.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/plantamedica/201112/pm176.jpg)
Figure 1
Keywords: Astragalus, Saponin, Cycloartane, alpha-glucosidase inhibition, beta-glucosidase inhibition
References: 1. Davis PH (1970) Flora of Turkey and East Aegean Islands. University Press. Edinburg.
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