Biochemical Analysis and Mineral Elements Composition of Methanolic Extract of Astragalus Gummifer

Traditionally, gum obtained from Astragalus gummifer are consumed as analgesic agent. Current study focused on the proximate, phytochemical and elemental analysis of methanolic extract of A. gummifer. In proximate analysis different nutritional constitutes like moisture, ash and total acidity in methanolic extract of A. gummifer was detected. In proximate screening highest ratio of ash (35.1 ± 2.0 %) indicating a richest bio-resource of vitamins. While the values for moisture (13.5±1.10%) and total acidity (0.009±0.0001%) indicating its valuable properties. Phytochemical screening was implemented for the identification of different bioactive compounds i.e. tannins, flavonoids, gum and mucilage, phenols, saponins, protein & amino acid, alkaloids in methanolic extract of A. gummifer. The results indicated that flavonoids, phenolic compounds, proteins & amino acids and gum & mucilage were present in the extract while saponins and tannins were not found. Mettalic screening was carried out for the quantification of different mineral elements i.e. Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu and Ni. The highest ratio was documented for Ni (8.69 ppm) followed by (4.73 ppm) for Cr. The lowest concentration was found for Mn measuring (5.30 ppm) while the values for Fe and Zn were recorded as (6.50 ppm and 6.04 ppm) respectively. The results obtained in this study clearly indicated that methanolic extract of A. gummifer is the rich source of secondary metabolites and certain mineral elements which support the use of this plant as stabilizing agent in the food, textile, leather, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industries.


Introduction
Essential metals are valuable and show a unique role in the functional and structural integrity of the organization of living systems. Even though minerals encompass only 4-6% of the human body and do not play a part proficiently in fulfilling the energy necessities, however their significance can be recognized from their participation in a large number of physicochemical processes of supreme significance which occurs incessantly in living organisms [1,2]. Furthermore, minerals are generally classified as micro (zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co)) or macro (calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and phosphorus (P)) elements that generally depend on their requirements to the body and it has been found that approximately more than 100 mg/dl of the macronutrients and less than 100 mg/dl of the micronutrients are essential on daily basis [3,4]. Insufficiencies of the mineral elements are the prime public health problem in lots of underdeveloped countries with women and infants [5]. Researchers have exposed that brutal cases of anaemia most likely because of mineral deficiencies are a direct cause of child and maternal mortality. The herbal medicines are the best source of these fundamental minerals which can be consumed both for nutritional and therapeutic purposes [6].
Astragalus gummifer (Labill.) belongs to the family Fabaceae, is a naturally producing complex, synthesized from the shrubs of the Astragalus plant and is commonly known as gond katira. Gum tracaganth is a native shrub found in arid regions of the eastern Mediterranean and South Western Asia [7]. Literature reported that Tragacanth gum could be used as laxative, antitussive, antidiarrheic and as an aphrodisiac. Moreover, it is used as a binding agent in the formation of capsules, prescriptions and tablets, as an emulsifying agent in the production of creams, balms as an adhesive agent in pastes and as a thickener in the formulation of cosmetics, toothpastes, syrups, jellies, mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces, liqueurs, candy and ice creams [8]. Literature further exposed that most of edible gum obtained from Astragalus genus has an extensive variety of applications in the pharmaceutical [9], cosmetic [10], and food industries [11][12][13], as a thickening emulsifying and gelling agent as they produce gel like viscous solution when added in water.
In addition, pharmaceutical uses of gums as formulary mediator, the polysaccharides present in these gums also have potential biological actions [14,15]. Different polysaccharides contain various immunomodulatory properties depending on its structure including antioxidant [16], anticoagulant [17], hypocholesterolemic [18], antiviral [19], anti-inflammatory [20,21], keratinocytes, DNA repair [22] and antitumor [ss23-25] properties. Furthermore, scientist performed an experiment on mice culture which is infested by Punta Toro Virus (PTV), Tragacanthin polysaccharides were introduced in the infected mice. The presence of these polysaccharides protected the majority of mice from mortality by activating the murin peritoneal macrophages, which proves that A. gummifer act as an immunomodulators and inhibit the multiple growth of cancer cells and viruses [26]. General survey highlighted that A. gummifer shows a potent allergenic effect and causing severe allergic responses. Further studies demonstrated that oral consumption or ingestion causes severe reactions. The immunogenicity of A. gummifer was established in mice that show cell-interceded immunity by performing swelling a test upon foot pad. Sanitization of the gum contended to a distinct decrease of the immune reaction [27]. No adverse effects were observed from hematological measurements and histological studies [28].

Sample Collection and Identification
The plant was selected from the local market of Peshawar, identified at the Shaheed Benzir Bhutto Women University Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtoonkwha, Pakistan) and kept in polyethylene bags till analysis.

Nutritional Profile
The nutritional profile i.e. ash, moisture and total acidity of methanolic extract of A. gummifer was determined using the standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemist

Nutritional Profile
The nutritional profile (ash, moisture and total acidity) of methanolic extract of A. gummifer in percent is given in (Figure 1).

Metallic Content
The quantifiable mineral composition of A. gummifer shrubs was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) for detection and estimation of metals including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu and Ni as presented in Figure 2, which estimated that the evaluated elements were present in different fractions. respectively. Literature reported that Fe is a major constituent of hemoglobin and transferrin which is present in the blood cells and in plasma portions of the blood, respectively. Iron is also present in various portions of hemoglobin,' myoglobin and cytochromes, and also serve as a succinate dehydrogenases as well as a co-factor for enzymes which take part in the production of neurotransmitters