Planta Med 2011; 77 - P_102
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273631

Biological Activities of Cycloartane-type Triterpenes from Astragalus species

A Nalbantsoy 1, 5, T Nesil 1, S Erden 2, O Yimaz-Dilsiz 3, G Aksu 4, SI Khan 5, 6, IA Khan 5, 6, 7, I Calýs 8, E Bedir 1
  • 1Ege University, Faculty of Engineering, Bioengineering Department, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
  • 2Ege University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
  • 3Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
  • 4Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
  • 5National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
  • 6Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
  • 7Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 8Near East University, Dept Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceut Bot, Fac Pharm, Nicosia, Cyprus

Astragalus L., the largest genus in the family Leguminosae, is represented by about 400 species in the flora of Turkey. The roots of Astragalus species are well-known for its usage in folk medicine as an immunostimulating agent. It has also been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, nephritis, leukemia and uterine cancer [1]. In continuation of our comprehensive phytochemical studies and evaluation of biological activity of the roots of Astragalus species, three main components namely Astragaloside VII, Macrophyllosaponins B and D were purified and screened in vitro and in vivo for a wide range of biological activities which included the effects on the immune response cytokines (IL-1β, TGF-1β, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ), induction of the surface receptor production in spleen and lymph node cells [IL-2Ra (CD25), CD69], anti-inflammatory activity, and hemolytic and adjuvant properties.

Acknowledgements: Thanks go to the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, project 109T637), Ege University Science and Technology Center (project 0162010), The Council of Higher Education (YOK) from Turkey and National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) University of Mississippi, USA.

References: [1] Yesilada E, Bedir E, et al. (2005) Ethnopharmacol, 96: 71–77.