Flavonoids as chemosystematic markers of Astragalus bombycinus Boiss. and Astragalus peregrinus Vahl growing in Egypt

The genus Astragalus is represented by 2500 species, which are widespread in temperate and tropical regions. Astragalus species contain mainly flavonoids (isoflavones) and triterpenes, whereas phenolic acids and polysaccharides are of less distribution. The biological activities such as hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular activities have been reported for numerous species of the genus. On the basis of various botanical characteristics, two Astragalus spp. (Astragalus bombycinus Boiss. and Astragalus peregrinus Vahl), native to Egypt, are very closely related species. Their flavonoid constituents were surveyed to find the interrelationships between them. The flavonoids were reported as six flavones, three flavonols, one C-glycosyl flavonoid, and three isoflavones. The flavonoid profile supports the placement of the two species together in one section (Platyglottis) but as two distinct species.