PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN ASTRAGALUS SPECIES GROWN IN EGYPT

Abstract

The plants belonging to genus Astragalus have been extensively studied, particularly in the last few years, and their immunostimulant, anticancer, antiviral and hepatoprtective properties have been attributed to the presence of the biologically active metabolites, including cycloartane saponins, oleanene • saponins, polysaccharides, polyphenols, aliphatic intro compounds and alkaloids. This finding prompted us to carry out a phytochemical investigation of two Astragalus plants namely, Astragalus kahiricus DC. and Astragalus hamosus L .This thesis consists of three parts: Part I : Phytochemical study of the roots of Astragalus kalliricus DC. Part II : Phytochemical study of Astragalus llamosus L. Part III : Immunostimulant activity of some isolated cycloartane saponins

Part I

Phytochemical study of the roots of Astragalus kahiricus DC.

Five materials were isolated from the different extracts of the roots of Astragalus kahiricus DC. , from the methylene chloride extract one isoflavan Kl and two cycloartane saponins K2, and K3 were isolated. Two saponins K4, KS were isolated from the ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts respectively. Material Kl

Orange prismatic crystals, m.p. 168° (benzene- petroleum ether), was identified as 8-methoxy vestitol .