Harnessing the Phytochemical Diversity of the Genus Astragalus for Evolving Cosmeceutical Applications

The genus Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) comprises approximately 3000 species with a rich history of use in traditional medicine worldwide. While Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge is globally recognized as an ingredient in dietary supplements, the cosmetic potential of the broader genus remains largely underexplored. Hence, the current review aims to systematically evaluate 20 Astragalus species selected for their documented or prospective applications in the cosmeceutical industry. We examine the diverse phytochemical profiles of these species, highlighting the principal groups of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), saponins (astragaloside IV), and polysaccharides (arabino-3,6-galactan). These compounds have been reported to be associated with critical dermatological benefits, including potent antioxidant activity, skin-lightening effects, anti-inflammatory activity relevant to conditions such as atopic dermatitis, and stimulation of collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis for anti-aging benefits. By bridging the gap between traditional ethnobotanical use of the selected Astragalus species and modern evidence-based scientific formulations, this review provides a roadmap for integrating diverse Astragalus species into sustainable, high-performance cosmetic products. Unlike the existing literature, which focuses primarily on A. membranaceus, this review provides, to our knowledge, the first systematic comparative analysis of 20 diverse Astragalus species, mapping their unique phytochemical markers to specific molecular pathways for advanced cosmeceutical applications.