What are astragalus’s main benefits?

    Last Updated: July 30, 2024

    There are widespread claims about the beneficial effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its bioactive molecules on several conditions. These include chronic heart failure,[1][2] metabolic syndrome,[3] blood lipids,[4] diabetes,[5][6][7][8] kidney disease,[9][10][11][12][7][8] neurological disorders,[13] cell lifespan,[14][15] and cancer.[16][17][18][19] However, the quality of evidence for these effects in humans is generally low because of variable findings between studies, poor methodological quality, unclear methodological details, widespread lack of blinding, use of intravenous rather than oral administration, and publication bias in favor of predominantly positive findings being published.[1][2][9][10][11][12][4][5][6][16][17][18][19] Furthermore, much of the evidence supporting the benefits of astragaloside IV is derived from animal and cell-culture experiments,[20][7][8][21][13][22] while clinical studies showing the therapeutic benefit of TA-65 are authored by the group that patented the compound.[15][3] Consequently, high-quality randomized controlled trials by independent researchers are urgently needed to confirm these therapeutic claims.

    References

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    8. ^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)
    9. ^Hong Wei Zhang, Zhi Xiu Lin, Chuanshan Xu, Connie Leung, Lai Sum ChanAstragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney diseaseCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2014 Oct 22)
    10. ^Feng M, Yuan W, Zhang R, Fu P, Wu TChinese herbal medicine Huangqi type formulations for nephrotic syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2013-Jun-05)
    11. ^Zhang L, Shergis JL, Yang L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Zhang L, Zhou S, Zeng L, Mao W, Xue CCAstragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) as adjunctive therapy for diabetic kidney disease: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.J Ethnopharmacol.(2019-Jul-15)
    12. ^ZhongChi Xu, LiChao Qian, RuGe Niu, Ying Yang, ChunLing Liu, Xin LinEfficacy of Huangqi Injection in the Treatment of Hypertensive Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisFront Med (Lausanne).(2022 Apr 25)
    13. ^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)
    14. ^Liu P, Zhao H, Luo YAnti-Aging Implications of (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic.Aging Dis.(2017-Dec)
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    16. ^Cheng M, Hu J, Zhao Y, Jiang J, Qi R, Chen S, Li Y, Zheng H, Liu R, Guo Q, Zhang X, Qin Y, Hua BEfficacy and Safety of -Containing Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Front Oncol.(2021)
    17. ^Shen L, Gwak SR, Cui ZY, Joo JC, Park SJAstragalus-Containing Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined With Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2021)
    18. ^Lin S, An X, Guo Y, Gu J, Xie T, Wu Q, Sui XMeta-Analysis of Astragalus-Containing Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined With Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: Efficacy and Safety to Tumor Response.Front Oncol.(2019)
    19. ^Cao A, He H, Wang Q, Li L, An Y, Zhou XEvidence of Astragalus injection combined platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).(2019-Mar)
    20. ^Han Z, Zhu J, Han ZEvaluation of astragaloside IV in hepatic fibrosis: A meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).(2021-Apr-02)
    21. ^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)
    22. ^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)