Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Endemic Astragalus argaeus Boiss. from Turkey

In this study, phenolic compound, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, in vitro antioxidant, antiradical, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, metal chelating, total reducing power, iron ion reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), copper (II) ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) activities of the extracts obtained from underground and aerial parts of Astragalus argaeus, which is endemic to Turkish flora were investigated. The ferulic acid has been identified as main compound in the both extracts. Both extracts showed weak antioxidant activities. The extracts showed weak antibacterial activity against only Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the 15 microorganisms by agar well diffusion assay. The cytotoxic effects of extracts on MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell lines) and fibroblast cells during 24 and 48 hours were determined by MTT method. The extracts showed weak cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 after 24h.