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Some interesting Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) specimens that have short stems, long stipules and short yellow petals were collected from Nallıhan, Ankara. In the careful examination made, it was seen that the specimens resemble Astragalus ovinus Boiss., A. fabaceus M.Bieb. and A. angustiflorus K.Koch belonging to the section Caprini, but it was determined that there is a difference due especially to some generative characters. After comparison with the closest taxa, it was decided that it is new for science and was named Astragalus nallihanicus. It grows at altitudes between about 850-1050 meters a.s.l. in a pine forest clearing. The size of some morphological features such as stipules (lower ones 17-22 mm long), calyx teeth (8-9 mm long), standards (19-22 mm long), wings (16-18 mm long), legumes (8.3-10.5 mm wide) and the dimensions of the seeds (3.5-4.1 × 2.1-2.5 mm), allow Astragalus nallihanicus to be distinguished from the closest taxa. Here, a description of the new species, comparison with similar taxa, informative photographs, and some ecological preferences have been given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus nordizensis Fırat (sect. Hymenostegis Bunge), is described as a new species from Gürpınar district of Van province, Türkiye. From the morphological point of view, the new species appears to be most similar to Astragalus zohrabi Bunge and A. rubrostriatus Bunge, but it differs in several morphological characters including peduncle indumentum, inflorescence shape, leaf and flower, fruit and seed morphology, etc. A comprehensive description of this new species is provided, including detailed photographs, geographical distribution map, habitat and ecology, vernacular name and IUCN conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Astragalus L. is the largest flowering genus of the Fabaceae family and is represented by approximately 3000 species worldwide. This study aims to determine the anti-aging and anti-diabetes effects of Astragalus leporinus, A. distinctissimus, and A. schizopterus, three endemic species in Anatolia. The anti-aging effects against elastase and collagenase enzymes and the anti-diabetic effects against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes were determined. Some triterpene contents were also determined by GC-MS. Ursolic acid (85.86 mg/g extract) and oleanolic acid (49.11 mg/g extract) were detected in the acetone extract of A. schizopterus species, and only (2.10 mg/g extract) oleanolic acid was detected in the ethanol extract. α-Amyrin (5.46 mg/g extract), oleanolic acid (6.09 mg/g extract), and ursolic acid (8.95 mg/g extract) were identified in the acetone extract of A. distinctissimus species. In terms of anti-aging, A. leporinus var. hirsutus ethanol extract has shown the highest activity in elastase and collagenase inhibition activity methods (inhibition %: 17.26±0.18 and 11.47±0.15, respectively), standard reference substances (oleanolic acid and epicatechin gallate, inhibition %: 43.80±0.76, 84.08±0.49, respectively). When it is evaluated in terms of anti-diabetic, it was determined that acetone extracts of A. schizopterus and A. distinctissimus species inhibited α-glucosidase at a higher level than acorbose, which was used as the standard reference substance, at all concentrations. In addition, it has also been observed that both acetone and ethanol extracts of the three species studied showed moderate inhibitory activity against the α-amylase enzyme. When the results obtained were evaluated, it is possible to state that A. schizopterus and A. distinctissimus species used as animal feed should be subjected to more detailed studies to be used for the pharmaceutical industry, as they are rich in oleanolic and ursolic acids and show anti-diabetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, ethanol/water (70% ethanol), and water extracts of Astragalus aduncus aerial parts were investigated for their antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activity (anti-acetylcholinesterase [AChE], anti-butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], antityrosinase, antiamylase, and antiglucosidase) and antiproliferative effect (against colon adenocarcinoma cell line [HT-29], gastric cancer cell line [HGC-27], prostate carcinoma cell line [DU-145], breast adenocarcinoma cell line [MDA-MB-231], and cervix adenocarcinoma cell line [HeLa]). In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extracts was evaluated using validated spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectroscopy methods. Generally, the 70% ethanol extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties, and it was the richest source of total phenolic constituents. Our findings indicated that the ethyl acetate extract was the most potent BChE inhibitor (11.44 mg galantamine equivalents [GALAE]/g) followed by the ethanol extract (8.51 mg GALAE/g), while the ethanol extract was the most promising AChE inhibitor (3.42 mg GALAE/g) followed by the ethanol/water extract (3.17 mg GALAE/g). Excellent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (66.25 mg kojic acid equivalent/g) was observed in ethanol/water extracts of the aerial part of A. aduncus. Тhese results showed that the most cytotoxic effects were exhibited by the ethyl acetate extract against HGC-27 cells (IC 50 : 36.76 µg/mL), the ethanol extract against HT-29 cells (IC 50 : 30.79 µg/mL), and the water extract against DU-145 cells (IC 50 : 37.01 µg/mL). A strong correlation was observed between the highest total flavonoid content and the highest content of individual compounds in the ethanol extract, including rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside (delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside), and kaempferol-3-glucoside (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside). In the present study, the A. aduncus plant was considered a new source of antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, and anticancer agents and could be used as a future health-benefit natural product., (© 2024 Deutsche Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft.)

In this study, we performed DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis using one nuclear (ITS) and two chloroplast DNA regions (matK and rbcL) of endemic Astragalus nezaketiae A. Duran & Aytaçand Vicia alpestris Stev. subsp. hypoleuca (Boiss.) Davis taxa in Turkey. PCR reactions were performed using universal primers. Sequences of the PCR products were edited using BioEdit and FinchTV software and contigs were obtained. All contigs were Blasted at NCBI and similarities were analysed. Using the MEGA 6.0 program, maximum likelihood trees were constructed including some sequences retrieved from NCBI. For Astragalus nezaketiae; in the ITS analysis, Astragalus nezaketiae appeared separately from other species, and for matK, Astragalus nezaketiae appeared together with Astragalus cicer L. However, rbcL tree was polytomic. For Vicia alpestris subsp. hypoleuca; in ITS, rbcL and matK results Vicia alpestris subsp. hypoleuca were found together with Vicia cracca L., Vicia benghalensis L. and Vicia villosa Roth species. Analysis of the combined data revealed similar results with all barcode regions for Vicia alpestris subsp. hypoleuca while different phylogenetic results were obtained for Astragalus nezaketiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the new species Astragalus oksutdagensis (A. sect. Eustales) from Kayseri, Turkey. The species is compared morphologically to the two similar species A. flavescens and A. vestitus, considering also pollen micromorphology. The geographical distribution of A. oksutdagensis, A. vestitus and A. flavescens is mapped. The phylogenetic relationships between the new species and other closely related species in the genus are inferred based on DNA data from the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and it is shown that A. sect. Eustales is monophyletic but closely related to A. sect. Tragacantha. The new species is assessed as critically endangered (CR) following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomical, palynological and leaflet and fruit micromorphological properties of two Astragalus L. species, namely A. falcatus Lam. and A. odoratus Lam. attributed to the section Uliginosi Gray (Fabaceae) from Turkey were considered via light (LM) and scanning electron microscopies (SEM) in order to determine their these characteristics and to assess the diagnostic value of these properties as taxonomic evidence. The leaflets type in terms of the anatomy, the type of stomata and trichomes, the shape and aperture of pollen grains and also the surface ornamentation of the fruits and trichomes are similar in these two species. Anatomical features such as the shape of the stem and petiole, the absence or presence of pith cavity in the stem and the number of vascular bundles in the petiole possess a systematic importance. Bifurcate trichomes are present on both surfaces of the leaflets. The ornamentation of trichomes is verrucate. The surface pattern of fruits is reticulate. The pollen grains are isopolar, radially symmetrical, trizonocolporate and prolate-spheroidal. Exine sculpturing is found to be a valuable characteristic for separating these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus nurhakdagensis, a new species from the south of Turkey was described, illustrated, and compared to the closest taxa Astragalus hirsutus, A. dumanii and A. cataonicus from which it is set apart by a longer calyx length (13-14 mm) and calyx teeth (7-9 mm, longer than tube), white corolla colour, longer bracts (13-15 mm) and black hairy stripes below the stem nodes. In A. hirsutus, the calyx length (6-10 mm) and calyx teeth are much smaller (2-3 mm long, shorter than tube), with yellow corolla colour and without black hairy stripes. It also differs from A. dumanii with its longer stipules 9-13 mm (not 5-8 mm), bracts 13-15 mm (not 4-6 mm), calyx length 13-14 mm (not 7-10 mm) and calyx teeth 7-9 mm (not 2-4 mm), and also with spreading hairs (not adpressed) on the calyx and 7-9 pairs of leaflets (not 3-7 pairs). It is also differentiated from A. cataonicus with a white corolla colour (not lilac to pink), longer stipule 9-13 mm (not 5-7 mm), bracts 13-15 mm (not 6-12 mm), and longer calyx teeth 7-9 mm (not 5-7 mm). Prolate (A. nurhakdagensis, A. hirsutus and A. cataonicus) and subprolate (A. dumanii) shapes were determined in the tricolporate pollen grains. Perforate, granulate, and reticulate ornamentation types were observed in the pollen grains in SEM. The seed shapes were reniform-globose in A. nurhakdagensis and A. dumanii, whereas they were reniform in A. hirsutus and A. cataonicus. Surface ornamentation of the seeds differed slightly: rugulate in A. nurhakdagensis and A. hirsutus, reticulate-rugulate in A. dumanii and reticulate-striate in A. cataonicus. Taxonomic description, micrographs of seeds and pollen surfaces and geographical distribution of the new species were provided. Conservation status was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus aybarsii H. Duman & Aytaç (Fabaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Kastamonu province (Turkey). The new species grows in open areas of Pinus brutia Ten. forests. Diagnostic and morphological charactersof the new species are compared with its close relatives, A. setulosus Boiss. & Balansa and A. eubrychioides Boiss. Also, some notes on the ecology, biogeography, conservation status and the pollen morphological and leaflet micromorphological features of the new species are presented. The geographical distribution of this new species and its allied species is mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition and biological value of honey vary depending on its producing flora. The botanical, chemical and biological active properties of honey determine the geographical authenticity of the honey. In this study, geographic fingerprints of thirty Astragalus (Astragalus microcephalus Willd.) honeys from Erzincan region were investigated. The honey consists of Astragalus pollen more than 65% and others were Salix spp., Cistaceae, Trifolium spp., Thymus spp, Rosaceae, Papaveraceae, Onobrychis spp. etc. The characteristic color of the analyzed honeys was bright/light yellow, Hunter color values (L, a, b) were found to be as L: 72-78, a: 7-16 and b: 58-78, respectively. Total polyphenol content of the honeys was 38.20±4.60 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g, it was found to be rich in some phenolics such as chrysin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, myricetin, pinocembrin, luteolin, and gallic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus sertavulensis is described as a new species from Karaman in south Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is closely related to A. mesogitanus Boiss. & Balansa and A. lycaonicus Hub.‐Mor. & Reese and is one of only three species in the section that have a hairy corolla. However, while only the standard is hairy in A. mesogitanus, and all the corolla parts are hairy in A. lycaonicus, only the standard and keel are hairy in A. sertavulensis. Furthermore, A. sertavulensis is the only member of the section where the stipules are close to the internodes, at least at the base. A taxonomic description as well as pollen and other morphological characters of the new species were presented. In addition, the geographical distribution of A. sertavulensis, A. mesogitanus and A. lycaonicus is mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the phenolic compositions, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of four Astragalus species, two of which are endemic to Turkish flora. Methods: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of methanol extracts obtained from four Astragalus species were detected using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric assays. Their phenolic compositions were identified by Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antioxidant activity was assayed with phosphomolybdenum, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide scavenging, β-carotene bleaching activity, ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) and cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Antimicrobial activities of the extracts were studied by agar well-diffusion assay. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts on MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell lines) were determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide) method. Results: The extracts exerted moderate antioxidant and reducing activity with low phenolic contents. The main component in the extracts was determined as ferulic acid. The extracts demonstrated no antibacterial activity except P. aeruginosa. A. talasseus showed the highest cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 during 48 h. Conclusion: It is believed that the results of this study will contribute to research recently increasing for the use of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds in many industrial fields such as food, pharmacy and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synopsis ofthe sect. Hymenocoleus Bunge, sect. Hymenostegis Bunge, and sect. Macrophyllium Boiss. belonging to Astragalus L. in Turkey is given based on a revisional study carried out in Turkey. As a result of this study, an account of 19 species including keys and general distribution as well as their conservation status in Turkey is given. It is determined that A. narmanicus Karaman & Ayta is new to science and A. expetitus Maassoumi, A. pereshkhoranicus Maassoumi & F.Ghahrem., and A. marivanensis Maassoumi & Podlech do not exist in Turkey. Additionally, the name of the sect. Hymenocoleus is preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus topalanense Behçet & İlçim sp. nov. (section Malacothrix Bunge) is described as a new species from Bingöl Province, East Anatolia in Turkey. The new species is similar to Astragalus macrouroides Hub.-Mor., a species endemic to Turkey, and A. macrourus Fisch. & C.A.Mey. The diagnostic characters and taxonomic comments on the species are presented. Seed and pollen characteristics are investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Notes are also presented on its ecology. A distribution map of the new and related species is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the genus Astragalus have a great interest as a source of natural bioactive compounds on a scientific platform. To provide multidirectional insights into three Astragalus species (A. setulosus, A. anthylloides, and A. ovalis), the current work focused on the chemical characterization and biological properties of their extracts (aerial parts and roots). The chemical characterization of the extracts was detected by HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The biological properties were evaluated by antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic parameters. Assays for radical quenching, reducing capacity, and metal chelation were also used to evaluate antioxidant properties. To test the enzyme inhibitory effects of the extracts, cholinesterases, tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase were utilized as target enzymes. Two cancer cell lines, (MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line) and HeLa (Human cervix cancer cell line), were selected to evaluate cytotoxic effects. Generally, 5- caffeoylquinic acid (2.43–283.92 μg/g extract), hyperoside (4.33–216.22 μg/g extract) and rutin (1.09–184.98 μg/g extract) were the main constituents. The extracts from aerial parts and roots of A. anthylloides showed stronger radical scavenging and reducing power abilities compared to A. setulosus and A. ovalis. The best AChE and BChE inhibitory effects were determined in the aerial parts of A. setulosus (2.18 mg GALAE/g) and roots of A. ovalis (4.76 mg GALAE/g), respectively. The extracts of A. ovalis had the highest tyrosinase inhibitory abilities. The extract from aerial parts of A. setulosus showed stronger cytotoxic effects compared to other extracts. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the presence of some compounds (resveratrol, p-coumaric, 5-caffeoylquinic, and ferulic acids, etc) was linked to the observed biological activities. Molecular docking was also provided for the possible interaction of enzymes as well as protein targets of the tested cell lines. Our findings provide a scientific basis for the Astragalus species, which may serve as a source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds for health-promoting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the morphological, anatomical, palynological, and cytological characteristics of the section Alopecuroidei DC. species belonging to genus Astragalus L. in Turkey were studied. As a result of this study, the members of the Alopecuroidei section represented by 22 taxa were evaluated under 24 taxa. While 3 taxa were reduced to synonyms, 4 new taxa have been added to the literature. Those are Astragalus aytatchii Akan & Civelek, A. ovabaghensis Akan & Aytaç, A. bahcesarayensis Akan, Fırat & Ekici, and A. ekicii H.Duman & Akan. In addition, it was determined that A. edmondi (Kuntze) Sheld. and A. maximus Willd. var. dasysemius Chamb. & Matthews were synonymies of A. decurrens Boiss. and A. alopecurus Pall., respectively. Although A. macrocephalus Willd. subsp. macrocephalus, A. erythrotaenius Boiss., and A. bracteosus Boiss. & Noé were previously stated to be endemic for Turkey, they are now found not to be endemic. Moreover, it was decided that Astragalus trichocalyx Trautv. is illegitimate and the name of A. petropolitanus Sheld. is valid. In this study, Astragalus genuflexus Freyn & Sint. was reevaluated as a distinct species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative molecular phylogenetic study using nrDNA internal transcribed spacer region ( ITS) sequences was carried out on species from three Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) sections from Turkey (Old World species) and the New World. A total of 56 taxa (179 accessions) including 30 species from Incani DC., 15 species from Hypoglottidei DC. and 11 species from Dissitiflori DC. section were used in the current study. The total length of the ITS region was 642 bp with 56 (8.7 %) parsimony-informative and 9 insertion\deletion sites. The constructed phylogenetic tree suggested that the section Incani had the most conserved ITS region among the studied Astragalus sections, evolutionarily separated from other sections and monophyletic. Also, DNA sequences of several New World (Neo-) Astragalus species analyzed comparatively with those from the current study indicated that New World aneuploid species of Astragalus clearly formed a monophyletic group separated from the species of the Old World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus silifkeense Dinç, Aytaç & Doğu, sp. nov. (Fabaceae, sect. Astragalus Bunge) is described as a new species from Silifke (Mersin Province), in southern Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is closely related to A. columnaris Boiss., endemic to Denizli in western Anatolia, and A. gilvus Boiss. in Ankara Province, Turkey. Taxonomic descriptions, as well as pollen and seed characters of the new species, are presented. The new species grows in an open Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière forest. The geographical distribution of the new species, along with that of A. columnaris and A. gilvus, is shown. The new species is compared with is relatives A. columnaris and A. gilvus. Key words: Astragalus, Leguminosae, taxonomy, Turkey Astragalus silifkeense Dinç, Aytaç & Doğu, sp. nov. (Fabaceae, sect. Astragalus Bunge) is described as a new species from Silifke (Mersin Province), in southern Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is closely related to A. columnaris Boiss., endemic to Denizli in western Anatolia, and A. gilvus Boiss. in Ankara Province, Turkey. Taxonomic descriptions, as well as pollen and seed characters of the new species, are presented. The new species grows in an open Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière forest. The geographical distribution of the new species, along with that of A. columnaris and A. gilvus, is shown. The new species is compared with is relatives A. columnaris and A. gilvus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatty acid compositions of root and shoot samples of some Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) taxa [A. gossypinus Fisch., A. amblolepis Fisch., A. edmondi (Kuntze) Sheld., A. tigridis Boiss., A. aleppicus Boiss., A. suberosus Banks & Sol. subsp. suberosus Banks & Sol., A. gummifer Labill., A. diphtherites Fenzl var. diphtherites Fenzl, and A. gymnalopecias Rech.f.] growing in the east and southeast of Turkey were determined by gas chromatography. Astragalus species contained palmitic (C 16:0) (20.13%-53.8%), linoleic (C 18:2ω- 6) (13.25%-41.06%), oleic (C 18:1ω-9) (5.78%-25.7%), linolenic (C 18:3ω-3) (6.1%-22.89%), and stearic acid (C 18:0) (5.16%-13.1%) in the roots and linolenic (8.9%-51.42%), palmitic (20.16%-44.88%), linoleic (7.34%-27.57%), oleic (2.45%-17.91%), and stearic acid (4.28%-8.31%) in the shoots as major components. In this study the fatty acid composition of Astragalus species showed uniform fatty acid patterns. Palmitic and stearic acids were the major saturated and linoleic and linolenic acids were the major unsaturated fatty acids in the roots and shoots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the wound healing effects of the four chief saponins of Astragalus species [cycloastragenol (CA), astragaloside IV (AG), cyclocephaloside I (CCI) and cyclocanthoside E (CCE)]. Material and methods: Effects of cell viability and proliferation of the isolated compounds were evaluated by the MTT assay on human keratinocyte. The wound healing activity was studied by using in vitro wound healing, proliferation and migration scratch assay. In order to see in vivo effectiveness of the compounds, an animal study with Sprague–Dawley male rats at the age of 12 weeks was carried out, and then the main histological outcomes were investigated to observe reepithelization, neovascularization, and presence of inflammatory cells, granulation tissue amount and maturation. Results: All the compounds increased both fibroblast proliferation and migration, but the effects were much superior for CA at 1ng/ml concentration. Among the compounds, based on the histological findings, 5% CA preparation was found to be the most remarkable in vivo wound healing agent showing greater cell density, more regularly organized dermis and more newly formed blood vessels. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that the cycloartane-type saponins are the principal constituents responsible for wound healing activities of the roots of Astragalus species substantiating its use in traditional medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Forty-eight species of Astragalus L. sections Onobrychoidei DC., Uliginosi Gray and Ornithopodium Bunge (Fabaceae) in Turkey were studied in order to describe and investigate their seed morphologies and to evaluate the diagnostic value of this character using a stereoscopic microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM pictures of seeds were taken as a whole and in detail. The systematic implications of the findings are discussed. Six main seed types were observed. A key to identifying the different seed types is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Astragalus L., A. trabzonicus (section Onobrychoidei DC.), is described and illustrated from north-east Anatolia in Turkey. The diagnostic, pollen morphological, and chromosomal characteristics are discussed. A distribution map and conservation status are given. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157, 741–747. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron (B) concentrations were investigated in both shoots and roots of Euphorbia macroclada, Verbascum cheiranthifolium, and Astragalus gummifer grown in soil of the Keban, Turkey, Lead-zinc-copper-fluoride mining area, which has an arid climate. Soil B concentrations were also investigated. Plants and their associated soil samples were collected and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total B concentrations of soils in the study area were very low (mean: 4.97 mg kg-1) as compared with those in surface soils in other countries. Boron concentrations of plant organs were several times higher than those in their associated soils. The mean values of B concentrations in roots of E. macroclada, V. cheiranthifolium, and A. gummifer were 25, 70, and 69 mg kg-1, respectively, while those in shoots were 75, 115, and 77 mg kg-1, respectively. Results indicate that roots and shoots of plants grown in soils with low B concentrations can be used both as biomonitors for environmental contamination and biogeochemical indicators for B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revised the section Hololeuce Bunge of the genus Astragalus L. (Leguminosae) in Turkey. The section used to contain 20 taxa in Turkey, but in this study it has been reduced to 15. A new species (Astragalus dumanii Ekici & Aytaç) has been described. In addition, we concluded that A. vuralii H.Duman & Aytaç, A. cylindraceus DC., A. alindanus Boiss., A. paecilanthus Boiss. & Heldr. and A. squalidus Boiss. & Noë are synonyms of A andrasovszkib Bornm., A. globosus Vahi, A. hirsutus Vahl, A. sibthorpianus Boiss. and A. amoenus Fenzl respectively. The pollen grains are tricolporate, prolate, subprolate or prolate sphaeroidal and the ornamentation is reticulate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The members of the genus Astragalus have great interest as traditional drugs in several folk systems including Turkey. In this sense, the present paper was aimed to explore the biological properties and chemical profiles of different parts (aerial parts, leaves, flowers, stems, and roots) of A. macrocephalus subsp. finitimus. Antioxidant (radical quenching, reducing power, and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory (α-amylase and tyrosinase) effects were investigated for biological properties. Regarding chemical profiles, individual phenolic compounds were detected by LC-MS, as well as total amounts. The leaves extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant abilities when compared with other parts. However, flowers extract had the best metal chelating ability. Hyperoside, apigenin, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids were identified as main compounds in the tested parts. Regarding enzyme inhibitory properties, tyrosinase inhibitory effects varied from IC50: 1.02 to 1.41 mg/mL. In addition, the best amylase inhibition effect was observed by leaves (3.36 mg/mL), followed by aerial parts, roots, stems, and flowers. As a result, from multivariate analysis, the tested parts were classified in three cluster. Summing up the results, it can be concluded that A. macrocephalus subsp. finitimus could be a precious source of natural bioactive agents in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]