Research Information System
EL RUHA 13th International Conference on Scientific Research 02-07 July 2025 Sharm El Sheik, EGYPT , Qina, Egypt, 2 - 07 July 2025, pp.67-74, (Full Text)
The genus Astragalus, scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his work Species Plantarum, is one of the largest genera of the legume family (Fabaceae), comprising over 3,000 species worldwide. According to The Flora of Turkey, 425 Astragalus species are distributed across Turkey. Within this rich biological diversity, Astragalus membranaceus stands out particularly for its prominence in traditional Chinese medicine and its considerable potential in modern pharmacology.
Phytochemical investigations have identified major constituents of Astragalus membranaceus, including flavonoids, triterpene saponins, polysaccharides, sterols, and essential oils. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory properties of these compounds. Notably, it has shown cellular-level efficacy against common cancers such as breast cancer through its regulatory effects on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Moreover, studies related to gastric and colon cancers have revealed that Astragalus extracts exhibit pro-apoptotic and tumor growth-inhibitory effects.
Furthermore, Astragalus polysaccharides, present in the plant, possess immune-supportive properties that are particularly protective against chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. Extracts derived from the dried roots of the plant display free radical-scavenging antioxidant activity, and silver nanoparticles synthesized via green chemistry methods demonstrate strong antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These features highlight Astragalus membranaceus as a versatile pharmaceutical resource.
In conclusion, the Astragalus genus, particularly Astragalus membranaceus, is not only significant for Turkey’s botanical diversity but also holds great potential in the development of natural anticancer agents demanded by modern medicine. This study details the plant's rich phytochemical composition (polyphenols, polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, and essential oils), and explores its multifaceted therapeutic effects.
Keywords: Astragalus; Astragalus membranaceus; Anticancer; Antioxidant, Phytotherapy; Food Supplement