Analysis of some phytochemical characteristics of Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss. in natural habitats of South Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran

Sarcocolla(Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss.), belonging to Fabaceae family, is a medicinal plant distributed in the south of Sistan and Baluchestan province. Due to presence of compounds like saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, it has an effective role in treating heart disease and cancer and eliminating chemotherapy and improving immunity. In this study, plant samples including eight A. fasciculifolius were collected from different habits in the province, and some phytochemical properties of root, leaves (total phenol, total flavonoid, and polysaccharide) and of flowers (total phenol, total flavonoid, and anthocyanin) were analyzed in the plant flower. The results of variance analysis showed a significant difference among different habitats (α>0.01). Phytochemical studies revealed significant amounts of phenolic compounds in the leaf with the highest rate recorded in Poshtkooh (14.62-32.55 mg GAE/g). In the root, the highest value was in Anjirok (20.39-53.84 mg GAE/g) and in the flower, the highest value was in BAirk (5.11-15.82 mg GAE/g), representing flavonoid compounds in the leaf in which the highest value was in Nahook (8.76-12.72 mg QE/g). Also, in root, the highest value was in Panjangosht (10 fingers) (0.25-1.03 mg QE/g). In the flower, the highest value was in Nahook (6.35-9.28 mg QE/g). In the polysaccharide compounds of the leaf, the highest value was in Anjirok (60.89-93.29 mg/g). In root, the highest values were in Pangangosht (94.33-209.38 mg/g) and anthocyanin of flower had the highest values in Pangangosht (36.34-77.58 mg/g). The results of this study represent the ability of different habitats of the province in producing valuable herbal compounds. Besides, because of its high levels of phenolic and polysaccharide compounds, this plant has a remarkable capability to be used in food and pharmaceutical industries.