How does astragalus work?

    Last Updated: July 31, 2024

    Pharmacological research indicates that Astragalus membranaceus[1][2][3][4] and its bioactive molecules (e.g., calycosin, formononetin, cycloastragenol, astragaloside IV,[5][6][7][8] and TA-65[9][10][5][11]) can regulate several pathways, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological systems, as well as increase telomerase activity, which prolongs the lifespan of cells. This may explain the potential role of astragalus in the treatment of chronic disease. However, most of the pharmacological evidence is derived from cell-culture (i.e., in vitro) and animal experiments.[12][13][14][15][16][17] Further clinical pharmacology research is needed to fully understand the potential mechanism(s) of action in humans.

    References

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    3. ^Man Li, Bing Han, Huan Zhao, Chongyi Xu, Daokun Xu, Elwira Sieniawska, Xianming Lin, Guoyin KaiBiological active ingredients of Astragali Radix and its mechanisms in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseasesPhytomedicine.(2022 Jan 8)
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    5. ^Bernardes de Jesus B, Schneeberger K, Vera E, Tejera A, Harley CB, Blasco MAThe telomerase activator TA-65 elongates short telomeres and increases health span of adult/old mice without increasing cancer incidence.Aging Cell.(2011-Aug)
    6. ^Yang Y, Hong M, Lian WW, Chen ZReview of the pharmacological effects of astragaloside IV and its autophagic mechanism in association with inflammation.World J Clin Cases.(2022-Oct-06)
    7. ^Zhang J, Wu C, Gao L, Du G, Qin XAstragaloside IV derived from Astragalus membranaceus: A research review on the pharmacological effects.Adv Pharmacol.(2020)
    8. ^Gu Y, Wang G, Pan G, Fawcett JP, A J, Sun JTransport and bioavailability studies of astragaloside IV, an active ingredient in Radix Astragali.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol.(2004-Dec)
    9. ^Salvador L, Singaravelu G, Harley CB, Flom P, Suram A, Raffaele JMA Natural Product Telomerase Activator Lengthens Telomeres in Humans: A Randomized, Double Blind, and Placebo Controlled Study.Rejuvenation Res.(2016-Dec)
    10. ^Molgora B, Bateman R, Sweeney G, Finger D, Dimler T, Effros RB, Valenzuela HFFunctional assessment of pharmacological telomerase activators in human T cells.Cells.(2013-Jan-14)
    11. ^Harley CB, Liu W, Blasco M, Vera E, Andrews WH, Briggs LA, Raffaele JMA natural product telomerase activator as part of a health maintenance program.Rejuvenation Res.(2011-Feb)
    12. ^Han Z, Zhu J, Han ZEvaluation of astragaloside IV in hepatic fibrosis: A meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).(2021-Apr-02)
    13. ^Zhou XT, Zou JJ, Ao C, Gong DY, Chen X, Ma YRRenal protective effects of astragaloside IV, in diabetes mellitus kidney damage animal models: A systematic review, meta-analysis.Pharmacol Res.(2020-Oct)
    14. ^Wang H, Zhuang Z, Huang YY, Zhuang ZZ, Jin Y, Ye HY, Lin XJ, Zheng Q, Wang YLProtective Effect and Possible Mechanisms of Astragaloside IV in Animal Models of Diabetic Nephropathy: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2020)
    15. ^Zhuang Z, Wang ZH, Deng LH, Zheng Q, Zheng GQ, Wang YAstragaloside IV Exerts Cardioprotection in Animal Models of Viral Myocarditis: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2019)
    16. ^Ianara M Costa, Francisca O V Lima, Luciana C B Fernandes, Bianca Norrara, Francisca I Neta, Rodrigo D Alves, José R L P Cavalcanti, Eudes E S Lucena, Jeferson S Cavalcante, Amalia C M Rego, Irami A Filho, Dinalva B Queiroz, Marco A M Freire, Fausto P GuzenAstragaloside IV Supplementation Promotes A Neuroprotective Effect in Experimental Models of Neurological Disorders: A Systematic ReviewCurr Neuropharmacol.(2019)
    17. ^Zheng Q, Zhu JZ, Bao XY, Zhu PC, Tong Q, Huang YY, Zhang QH, Zhang KJ, Zheng GQ, Wang YA Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Astragaloside IV for Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.Front Physiol.(2018)