Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Biological Activities of the Essential Oil of Astragalus alopecurus Pall. Fruits from Northern Iran

Abstract

This research investigates the chemical componds of Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits essential oil, and evaluates the antimicrobial effects of fruits on different plant pathogens. The essential oil of Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits was analyzed by GC/MS. Antimicrobial effect was examined on 14 microorganisms, containing eight bacteria and six fungi, utilizing disk diffusion and MIC methods. Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits were also exposed to screening for feasible antioxidant activity with utilizing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and guaiacol peroxidas, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. Forty four compositions were recognized representing 94.13% of the total oil; with α-pinene (18.41%), humulene epoxide II (12.84%) and α-humulene (11.81%) being the major ingredients. The essential oil indicated considerable activity on Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 50 μg/mL) and Pyricularia oryzae (MIC = 12.5 μg/mL). Moreover, the analysis of free radical scavenging activities of the Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits indicated antiradical activity of 146.59 μg/mL in DPPH, 3.853 mmol activity/mg protein in guaiacol peroxidase, 1.655 U/mg protein in superoxide dismutase and 28.644 μmole activity/mg protein in catalase. In addition, the phytochemical analysis demonstrated medium to well amounts of phenolic (53.61 mg/g), flavonoid (115.64 mg/g) and alkaloid (0.11 mg/g) compositions in Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits. Gained results propose that this plant can applay as a potential source of biocide for inexpensive and environmentally friendly disease control methodes.

Key words:

• Antifungal activity
• antibacterial effect
• antioxidant effect
• plant pathogens