An analysis of the anti-diabetic and oxidative damage protective effects of Astragalus microcephalus Willd. and Astragalus plumosus Wild. species plants avaiblable in

Gumushane has been under the influence of various climates due to its geographical location. Such influence has caused the province to be rich in flora and to host various Astragalus species. Astragalus species belonging to the Fabaceae family has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-aging and anti-viral activities which are reported to be arising from the phenolic compounds and the saponins. The chemical and bioactive features, total polyphenolic content, total flavonoid content, ferric reducing power, haemolysis inhibition, alpha glucosidase inhibition and serum oxidative damage analysis of the leaf extracts of the species were determined by using spectrophotometric methods. The highest total polyphenol content of the plant extracts studied was found to be 13.9 mg per gram sample in the ethanol extract of Astragalus plumosus and to be 14.8 mg gallic acid equivalent in the ethanol extract of Astragalus microcephalus. The highest total flavonoid content of the plants was found to be 4.19 mg per gram sample in the PBS extract of A. plumosus and to be 6.18 mg quercetin equivalent in the aqueous extract of A. microcephalus. The highest ferric reducing power activity of the plants was found to be 13 mg per gram sample in the PBS extract of A. plumosus and to be 13.8 mg trolox equivalent in the aqueous extract of A. microcephalus. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of the plant extracts was found to be 14.6% in the aqueous extract of A. plumosus and to be 19% in the PBS extract of A. microcephalus. The highest alpha glucosidase inhibition of the A. plumosus and A. microcephalus 25 mg/mL ethanol extracts was found to be 39.9% in A. plumosus extract. In PBS extracts of A. plumosus and A. microcephalus plants prepared in three different concentrations, the highest haemolysis inhibition value was found to be 97.7% in A. plumosus extract. In PBS extracts of A. plumosus and A. microcephalus plants, TAS values were 1.41 and 1.44 mmol trolox equivalent, respectively; TOS values were 25.8 and 24.7 µmol H2O2 equivalent and OSI values were 1.83 and 1.71 µmol H2O2 Eq/L, respectively. The study concluded of plant extracts inhibited alpha-glucosidase enzyme and hemolysis and that oxidative damage in serum was eliminated by plant extracts. In the light of these results, it is suggested that our plants can be used as food and medicine in the treatment of diseases caused by oxidative damage as an alternative and complementary product in the field of biotechnology.