Las plantas medicinales chinas se estudian farmacológicamente cada vez más. A medida que los investigadores identifican y aíslan los compuestos bioactivos, nuestra comprensión de sus acciones fisiológicas, terapéuticas y clínicas aumentan. Estas plantas han sido utilizadas tradicionalmente con efectividad y seguridad en el tratamiento de muchas enfermedades y, aunque clásicamente forma parte de combinaciones con otras plantas, el análisis de sus principios activos nos permite conocer mejor sus acciones farmacológicas individuales.
El Astrágalus membranáceus forma parte de la medicina China desde hace muchos años, pero solo recientemente occidente ha comenzado a comprender sus posibilidades farmacológicas y aplicaciones clínicas. |
PRESIONE LA BOTELLA PARA CONOCER LA PLANTA |
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En la medicina tradicional china, el Astrágalus usualmente es combinado con otras plantas para lograr el efecto deseado. Se cree que fortalece el “chi” (energía vital), un concepto poco comprendido por la cultura occidental. Quizás lo más cerca que podemos llegar a este concepto es que se trata de una planta adaptogénica con muchas acciones.
Aunque Astragalus tiene una larga historia de uso medicinal, estudios de investigación han demostrado un amplio rango de efectos inmunoestimulantes, cardioprotectores y se ha comprobado su eficacia como coadyuvante en el tratamiento del cáncer.
La parte utilizada de la planta es la raíz seca, que se recolecta cuando llega a los 4-7 años durante la primavera. Existen más de 2.000 tipos de esta planta mundialmente, pero la versión china es la que ha sido estudiada más exhaustivamente, tanto clínica como farmacológicamente. |
Principios activos:
1) Flavonoides del tipo isoflavonas (kumatakenina, formononetina, astraisoflavona, astrapterocarpan, 2'-3'-dihidroxi-7, 4'-dimetoxi-isoflavona, calicosina, isoliquiritigenina) y sus derivados glucósidos.
2) Junto a los polisacáridos, las saponinas son los compuestos más abundantes en los extractos acuosos o alcohólicos de Astrágalo. Dos derivados del oleanano (astragalósido VIII y soyasaponina I) y doce derivados del cicloastragenol denominados astramembraninas (I-II) y astragalósidos (astragalósidos I-X, acetilastragalósido I, isoasatragalósidos I-II). |
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3) Polisacáridos: Del extracto acuoso de las raíces de Astragalus membranaceus se han aislado una serie de polisacáridos. Dos de ellos formados únicamente por D-glucosa, astragalano II de peso molecular 122.300 y astragalano III de peso molecular 34.000, mientras que el tercero, astragalano I es un polisacárido de 36.300 de peso molecular compuesto de D-glucosa, D-galactosa y D-arabinosa en la proporción (1,75:1,63:1). Además se han identificado dos alfa-glucanos y dos heterosacáridos, uno ácido constituido mayoritariamente por una mezcla de ácido D-galacturónico y ácido D-glucurónico, con una pequeña proporción de azúcares |
| neutros (D-glucosa L-ramnosa y L-arabinosa), y el segundo neutro formado por D-glucosa y L-arabinosa en proporción (1:0,15). También se ha descrito un polisacárido ácido compuesto de L-arabinosa, D-galactosa, ácido D-galacturónico y ácido D-glucurónico en proporción (18:18:1:1). Estos polisacáridos son responsables de su actividad inmunoestimulantes
4) Otros compuestos: Glúcidos (sacarosa) y fitoesteroles, como el beta-sitosterol.
Indicaciones tradicionales: Según la medicina tradicional china, Astragalus afecta los meridianos del bazo y pulmones. Es indicada en casos de diarrea, fatiga, sudoración excesiva o espontánea y pérdida del apetito. También en gripes a repetición y dificultad respiratoria, úlceras cutáneas crónicas, parálisis o paresia de miembros y edema. Clásicamente es prescrito en combinación con otras plantas, dependiendo de los efectos terapéuticos deseados y la enfermedad. |
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| Acción Farmacológica:
Los estudios farmacológicos de raíz de astrágalo se han realizado fundamentalmente con extractos acuosos o fracciones enriquecidas en saponinas o polisacáridos. Se han descrito propiedades hepatoprotectoras, antioxidantes, inmunoestimulantes, antivirales, cardiotónicas y otras.
La raíz de Astrágalo tiene propiedades inmunoestimulantes, sin suprimir la función inmune con el uso prolongado. La actividad está relacionada con su contenido en polisacáridos, ya que la fracción glucídica estimula las células NK, aumentan las funciones de las células T e incrementan la producción de interferón.
La administración de raíz de Astrágalo mejora la oxigenación tisular periférica y la respuesta al estrés por incremento de la actividad adrenal. La respuesta farmacológica ha sido relacionada con la presencia de triterpenos y saponinas, ya que esta fracción es la responsable del incremento de la actividad adrenal.
La raíz de Astrágalo tiene también propiedades radioprotectoras.
1.- Propiedades hepatoprotectoras. El extracto de la raíz de Astrágalo protege el hígado del daño producido por tetracloruro de carbono (CCl4), previene el descenso del glucógeno hepático, e incrementa el nivel de proteínas séricas y albúmina. Se han realizado estudios clínicos con extractos de Astrágalo. En 1 a 2 meses los síntomas de la enfermedad disminuyen, mejora el estado de bienestar y el apetito del paciente, y los niveles de GPT vuelven a los valores normales. En pacientes con hepatitis crónica tratados con Astrágalo mejora la inmunidad celular y se estimula la fagocitosis de las células reticuloendoteliales.
2.- Propiedades anti-inflamatorias. Tanto el extracto metanólico de la raíz de Astrágalo como astramembranina I (saponina aislada a partir de la raíz), tienen propiedades anti-inflamatorias en algunos modelos experimentales in vivo, tanto oral como vía intravenosa.
3. Propiedades antioxidantes. En un estudio in vitro, Astragalus demostró inhibir la peroxidación lipídica en 40%, en una suspensión de mitocondrias cardiacas de rata. La actividad antioxidante es común a los flavonoides y explica, en parte, sus propiedades cardioprotectoras.
4.- Propiedades inmunoestimulantes. Una de las propiedades más importantes de esta especie es su capacidad de incrementar la respuesta inmune. En ensayos in vivo realizados con los polisacáridos de Astrágalo se observó el incremento de la respuesta en ratones tras la administración parenteral de un polisacárido purificado a partir del extracto acuoso. Los astragalanos I y II tienen una gran variedad de efectos en ratones cuando se administran parenteralmente, como son el incremento del peso y número de células del bazo, así como su respuesta frente a glóbulos rojos de cordero y estímulo de la actividad fagocítica de mácrofagos peritoneales. La administración de extractos de Astrágalo mejora la respuesta citotóxica de células especializadas, incrementando de 5 a 6 veces su respuesta. También se intensifica la fagocitosis de células del sistema reticulo-endotelial, aumenta la actividad de los linfocitos T, estimula la producción natural de interferón y potencia su actividad. Mejora la respuesta en pacientes tratados con antineoplásicos, ya que potencia la respuesta al fármaco y disminuye los efectos indeseables del mismo. En experimentos con astragalán, se obtuvo una supervivencia mayor en el grupo de animales tratados con el polisacárido. Astrágalus disminuye la hiperactividad inmune en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico y miastenia gravis, dos enfermedades autoinmunes severas. Astrágalus mejora la inmunidad contra infecciones de las vías respiratorias y otras, cuando se ingiere antes del pleno desarrollo de estas infecciones.
La utilización de interleuquina-2 recombinante (rIL-2) en inmunoterapia se ve limitada por la toxicidad asociada a las altas dosis. Se administró Astragalus con 100 u/ml de rIL-2 versus 1.000 u/ml de rIL-2 sola en un estudio in vitro de carcinoma renal en ratones. El grupo que recibió Astragalus+rIL-2 mostró una mayor lisis de células tumorales. Estos resultados fueron confirmados en otro estudio en el cual Astragalus potenció la actividad inductora de rIL-2 de las célulass LAK contra células de melanoma. Cincuenta u/ml de rIL-2 con extracto de Astragalus fue más efectiva que 500 u/ml de rIL-2 sola.
Una combinación de Astrágalus con otras dos plantas medicinales fue ofrecida a ratones a razón de 9 g/kg o 20 g/kg durante 7 días. El peso del timo y del bazo aumentaron, al compararse con los del grupo control. Los niveles séricos de IgG aumentaron 41-47 % y el porcentaje de conversión de linfocitos también se incrementó. La combinación de plantas aumentó la resistencia a los efectos inmunosupresores de la ciclofosfamida estimulando a los macrófagos para producir interleuquina-6 y factor de necrosis tumoral.
Veintiocho pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico mostraron significativamente menor actividad de las células natural killer, comparadas con controles normales. La incubación previa de mononucleares de sangre periférica con Astrágalus estimuló la citotoxicidad natural de las células natural killer en los pacientes con lupus y también en los pacientes control.
5.- Propiedades antivirales. Astragalán tiene propiedades antivirales, ya que actúa inhibiendo la replicación de algunos virus, como el coxsackie, causante de miocarditis. En otras virosis como la hepatitis viral crónica o VIH, se ha demostrado el efecto positivo, pero debido al incremento de la respuesta inmunológica, no al efecto antiviral. Puede beneficiar a pacientes con hepatitis viral crónica y personas infectadas con el virus HIV, sin embargo se requieren más estudios para confirmar esta posibilidad.
Al ofrecer un extracto de Astrágalus por vía oral a pacientes con miocarditis viral, se demostró el aumento de linfocitos T3, T4 y la relación T4/T8, lo que sugiere mejoría de la respuesta inmune. En ratones infectados con el virus coxsackie B-3, agente causal de la miocarditis viral, Astragalus inhibió la replicación viral en el tejido miocárdico, mejorando también la actividad eléctrica miocárdica.
6.- Propiedades antibacterianas. No inhibe directamente el crecimiento de la bacteria, pero protege frente a los efectos de la endotoxina de Escherichia coli, también actúa incrementando las respuestas inmunes en infecciones por Shigella, Streptococcus, Diplococcus y Staphylococcus.
7. Actividad antineoplásica. Aumenta significativamente la potencia de la Interleukina-2 (rIL-2) recombinante, sustancia que actúa contra células cancerosas, mejorando la sobrevida en algunas personas con cáncer. Los animales con cáncer inducido experimentalmente sobrevivieron por mayor tiempo cuando fueron tratados con el principio activo Astragalán. En los pacientes tratados por cáncer, las fórmulas con Astrágalus potenciaron los efectos de los agentes antineoplásicos pero protegieron al paciente de los efectos tóxicos de esos medicamentos.
Se evaluó la capacidad de disminuir los efectos tóxicos secundarios causados por agentes antineoplásicos de 116 fórmulas herbarias chinas. La fórmula Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang que incluye Astragalus, fue seleccionada como la más efectiva en relación a la estimulación de los factores hematopoyéticos y producción de interleuquinas. También se demostró la potenciación de la actividad de los agentes antineoplásicos, inhibición de las recurrencias, aumento del tiempo de sobrevida y reducción de la toxicidad causada por la quimioterapia.
Dos estudios aleatorios sobre ratones que recibieron implantes de células de carcinoma renal. Uno grupo fue tratado intraperitonealmente con 500 mg de Astragalus y Ligusticum lucidum diariamente durante 10 días. El otro grupo recibió solución salina como control. La tasa de curación en el grupo Astragalus/Ligusticum fue 57% cuando la carga tumoral fue 2 x 105 y 100% cuando la carga tumoral fue de 1 x 105.
En otro estudio, 10 de 12 pacientes con carcinoma de células pequeñas del pulmón, incluyendo 4 con enfermedad diseminada ganaron entre 3 y 17 años de tiempo de sobrevida, cuando recibieron Astragalus junto a la quimio y radioterapia.
8.- Efectos cardiovasculares. Entre otras se pueden destacar las propiedades hipotensoras de astramembranina I. Las saponinas poseen propiedades anticoagulantes. Existen referencias sobre el empleo de la raíz de Astrágalo en medicina tradicional china en casos de infartos, insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva y angina de pecho, con buenos resultados. En estudios preliminares se utilizó esta planta después de infartos cardiacos.
La actividad antioxidante explica, en parte, la acción cardiotónica de Astrágalus. En un estudio, se administró Astrágalus a 43 pacientes, luego de infarto miocárdico agudo. Astragalus mejoró significativamente la función de ventrículo izquierdo, comparado con controles.
En otro estudio, se trató a 20 pacientes con angor durante 2 semanas con Astragalus, demostrándose una mejoría significativa en el gasto cardiaco, por medio del ecocardiograma. En otro estudio, 92 pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica tratados con Astragalus mostraron mejoría marcada del angor, así como mejoría significativa de los electrocardiogramas, comparados con los controles.
Una de las saponinas del Astragalus, el Astragalosido IV, fue inyectada en 19 pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva, demostrando mejorar significativamente la función del ventrículo izquierdo, el volumen sistólico final y el volumen diastólico final. Luego de 2 semanas de tratamiento, 79% de los pacientes manifestaron la desaparición del dolor precordial y la disnea. Además, la frecuencia cardiaca disminuyó significativamente.
Noventa y dos pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica fueron tratados con Astragalus, demostrando una significativa mejoría del dolor anginoso. Los electrocardiogramas mejoraron significativamente en el 82,6% de los pacientes. En otro estudio, 20 pacientes recibieron astrágalus durante dos semanas, demostrando un aumento del gasto cardiaco. A diferencia de los digitálicos, la actividad de la adenosin trifosfatasa no se vio inhibida.
Las saponinas del Astrágalus demostraron ofrecer un efecto positivo en la función cardiaca, a través de la inhibición de la formación de peróxidos lipídicos en el miocardio así como disminuyen los mecanismos de coagulación.
9. Otros efectos:
· Estimula la actividad hipófisis-corteza adrenal.
· Restaura la formación de células rojas en la médula ósea.
· Glomerulonefritis: Astrágalus demostró su efectividad en la glomerulonefritis inducida experimentalmente en ratas, especialmente en el tratamiento de la proteinuria. Las ratas que recibieron altas dosis de Astragalus mostraron menor proteinuria y menores cambios titulares patológicos que el grupo control.
· Infertilidad masculina: Los extractos de Astragalus demostraron un efecto estimulante sobre el número y motilidad espermática, en estudios animales.
· Hipolipemiante: disminuye niveles de Colesterol, triglicéridos, apoproteínas y lipoproteína-a
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| Indicaciones |
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La raíz de Astrágalo está indicada en el tratamiento de enfermos con el sistema inmune comprometido, infecciones víricas y pacientes con hipertensión arterial. Puede disminuir la hiperactividad inmune en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico y miastenia gravis por lo que se recomienda su utilización en estos casos.
Además se puede indicar a enfermos con SIDA, hepatitis viral y enfermedad vascular periférica. También se emplea en casos de asma, úlcera péptica, trastornos respiratorios, diarrea e infecciones en general producidas por Diplococcus, Staphylococcus y Streptococcus. En medicina china también se utiliza en diabetes, cardiopatías y en la enfermedad de Alzheimer.
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| Contraindicaciones:
No se ha establecido su seguridad en embarazadas y mujeres en período de lactancia, ni en pacientes con disfunción renal o hepática severa, por lo que no es conveniente su utilización durante el embarazo ni lactancia..
No tiene efectos mutagénicos. Según los datos experimentales y clínicos disponibles no existen limitaciones en su utilización, aunque se debe emplear con precaución en pacientes que reciban tratamiento con inmunosupresores (trasplantados o con enfermedades autoinmunes).
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| Efectos Secundarios/ Toxicidad:
No se han descrito efectos secundarios a las dosis terapéuticas. Astrágalus no parece producir ninguna toxicidad, y no produce efectos secundarios cuando se utiliza según las recomendaciones. Las reacciones secundarias son muy raras y se limitan generalmente a leves molestias gastrointestinales o reacciones alérgicas.
La DL50 intraparenteral para el Astrágalo en ratas es superior a 40 g/kg. Dosis de hasta 100 gramos por kilo han sido administradas a animales sin mostrar efectos adversos. |
| Interacciones medicamentosas:
Potencia los efectos de aciclovir, interleuquina 2 (IL-2) recombinante y del interferón alfa recombinante (IFN alfa-1 e IFN alfa-2).
Puede presentar incompatibilidad con agentes inmunosupresores (ciclosporina, azatioprina y metotrexato).
Con agentes anticoagulantes, antiagregantes plaquetarios y antitrombóticos, Astrágalo puede incrementar el riesgo de hemorragia.
Puede disminuir el efecto de los hipoglucemiantes orales.
Otras interaciones posibles descritas son: con fenobarbital, beta-bloqueantes y algunos descongestionantes nasales.
Posología:
La farmacopea china recomienda de 9 a 30 g/día de polvo. En condiciones extremas se puede incrementar la dosis hasta 30-60 g de polvo de raíz diarios. Sin embargo, estudios realizados demuestran que la dosis adecuada para mejorar la actividad de los macrófagos es de 4-7 g diarios para un adulto de 80 kg, pero la dosis no debe sobrepasar los 28 g día.
Recomendamos la ingestión de 2 a 3 cápsulas de 450 mg, 3 veces por día.
En niños mayores de 2 años, se recomienda ingerir una cápsula 2 veces por día. En menores de esta edad: vaciar una cápsula en un poco de puré de fruta y suministrar la mezcla una sola vez por día.
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Referencias
1: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2003 Oct;23(10):753-6.
[Study on effects of astragalus, angelica and their combination on vascular endothelial cell proliferation in vitro]
Lei Y, Gao Q, Li YS. Xiyuan Hospital , China Academy of TCM , Beijing 100091.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), Angelica sinensis (AS) and their combination on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and cells cycle. METHODS: The effects were observed and studied by means of taking the cultured HUVECs as model to determine the cell proliferation with MTT method, cell cycle was analyzed with cytometry, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression with SABC method. The regulatory effects of AM, AS and their combination on the HUVEC proliferation promoting were observed and studied. RESULTS: AM and AS, used singly or in combination, could promote the growth of endothelial cells, increase the cell population in S phase, the effects showed more significant when used in combination (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Meanwhile, VEGF expression in all the medicated group was up-regulated, but in the PBS control group, it showed only weak expression (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AM and AS have effect in promoting vascular endothelial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis, and showed synergistic effect when they were used in combination, suggesting that these two Chinese herbs could have certain effect on the genesis and development of neogenetic vascularization in ischemic myocardium. |
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2: J Pharm Pharmacol. 2003 Sep;55(9):1275-82.
Influence of traditional Chinese anti-inflammatory medicinal plants on leukocyte and platelet functions.
Prieto JM, Recio MC, Giner RM, Manez S, Giner-Larza EM, Rios JL.
Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Valencia, Av. Vicent Andres Estelles, s/n. 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. |
| The enzymes 5-lipoxygenase and elastase are therapeutic targets in dermatological disorders such as psoriasis. Fifteen extracts from traditional Chinese medicinal plants used to treat topical inflammations were screened for their inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase and elastase activity in intact leukocytes and platelets. Astragalus membranaceus, Forsythia suspensa and Poria cocos inhibited 5-lipoxygenase, with IC50 values of 141, 80 and 141 microg mL(-1), respectively. The latter two species, along with Angelica dahurica and Angelica pubescens, also inhibited elastase (IC50 values of 80, 123, 68 and 93 microg mL(-1), re-spectively), while A. pubescens, Atractylodes macrocephala, Lentinus edodes, Rehmannia glutinosa and Paeonia lactiflora selectively inhibited 12-(S)-HHTrE production, a valid marker of cyclooxygenase activity. The inhibition of phospholipase A(2) activity by P. cocos is discussed. Dehydrotumulosic and pachymic acids, which have been isolated from P. cocos, were shown to inhibit leukotriene B(4) release. The results indicate that both P. cocos and F. suspensa are potentially valuable species in the management of skin pathologies involving chronic inflammation. |
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3: Thromb Haemost. 2003 Nov;90(5):904-14.
Antiinflammatory activity of astragaloside IV is mediated by inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and adhesion molecule expression.
Zhang WJ, Hufnagl P, Binder BR, Wojta J. Department of Internal Medicine II, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. |
The regulated expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of endothelial cells is a key process in the pathogenesis of inflammation. The saponin astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylcycloastragenol purified from the Chinese medical herb Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. In this study we have investigated the effect of AS-IV on cytokine-and LPS-stimulated expression of adhesion molecules in and leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. We have demonstrated that AS-IV significantly reduced the adhesion promoting activity of LPS-stimulated HUVECs for polymorph-nuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and the monocytic cell line THP-1. Furthermore, by using specific cell ELISAs we could show that AS-IV decreased the LPS-induced expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 on the surface of HUVECs in a dose and time dependent manner, whereas the expression of ICAM-1 was not affected by AS-IV. AS-IV also inhibits TNFalpha-induced VCAM-1 expression. The saponin octyl-D-glucopyranoside had no effect on the LPS-induced expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 excluding an unspecific detergent-like effect of AS-IV. Moreover, AS-IV significantly inhibited LPS- and TNFalpha-induced specific mRNA levels for E-selectin and VCAM-1. Finally, we could show that AS-IV completely abolished LPS- and TNFalpha-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in endothelial cells. We conclude that the ability of AS-IV to inhibit the NF-kappaB pathway might be one under-lying mechanism contributing to its anti-inflammatory potential in vivo.
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4: Z Naturforsch [C]. 2003 Jul-Aug;58(7-8):602-4.
Flavonoids and phenol carboxylic acids in the oriental medicinal plant Astragalus membranaceus acclimated in Poland .
Matkowski A, Wozniak D, Lamer-Zarawska E, Oszmianski J, Leszczynska A. Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Botany, Medical University in Wroclaw, A1. Jana Kochanowskiego 10, 51-601 Wroclaw , Poland .
Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge has been was successfully acclimated in Central Europe . We report the content of isoflavones and some other polyphenolic compounds in roots and aerial parts that have been analyzed by means of TLC and HPLC. The total amount of isoflavones in leaves, was 0.55 mg g(-1) dry weight, and of the flavonols--up to 3.54 mg g(-1). In the roots isoflavonoid content was extremely variable, but reached 3.04 mg g(-1), whereas flavonols content was 0.49 mg g(-1). |
5: J Tongji Med Univ. 1999;19(3):206-8, 214.
Effect of astragalus on the endothelin in rats with acute lung injury.
Liu X, Huang C.
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Tongji Hospital , Tongji Medical University , Wuhan
The effect of astragalus on the endothelin in serum and lung of the rats with acute lung injury was studied. The results demonstrated that the concentration of endothelin in the lung of the rats in therapy group was lower than that of the injured rats (64.36 +/- 5.37 ng/L vs 103.32 +/- 4.99 ng/L, P < 0.001), and level of serum endothelin was also lower than that of the injured rats (85.35 ng/L vs 113.35 ng/L, P < 0.01). PaO2, serum SOD, lung coefficient, ratio of lung wet weight/dry weight in two groups were also significantly different (P < 0.01) respectively, and the lung pathological injury in the treatment group were less than that of injury group. So it is concluded that astragalus could inhibit the increase of serum and lung endothelin, thereby playing a protective role in the rats with acute lung injury.
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6: J Tongji Med Univ. 1999;19(1):20-2, 30.
The effect of astragapolysaccharide on the lymphocyte proliferation and airway inflammation in sensitized mice.
Xue J, Xu Y, Zhang Z, Shen G, Zeng G.
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430030.
In order to investigate the regulating role of Astragapolysaccharide (APS) in the mice model of asthmatic airway inflammation, the airway eosinophil number, spleen T lymphocyte proliferation, level of IL-2 production and their relationships were studied in sensitized mice and sensitized mice treated with different concentrations of APS. The results showed that the number of eosinophils as well as lymphocytes in the airway of the sensitized animals were significantly increased, and a marked positive correlation between the inflammation cells and spleen T lymphocyte proliferation was found. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between inflammation cells and the level of IL-2 production. The APS of given dosage could significantly reduce the number of eosinophils in the airway of the sensitized animals. At the same time the level of IL-2 secreted by spleen T lymphocytes stimulated with ConA was also significantly decreased and there was a marked positive correlation between them. Our results suggested that APS of given dosage could prevent antigen-induced the number of eosinophils infiltrating into the airway of sensitized mice and inhibit the proliferation and activation of lymphocyte and IL-2 production. Through its immuno-regulating effect, APS can be helpful in the treatment of asthma. |
7: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2001 Sep;26(9):617-20.
[Protection against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage using total flavonoids of Astragalus]
Wang DQ, Critchley JA, Ding BG, Ma YQ, Zhao HL, Thomas GN, Tian YP, Tomlinson B,
Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Biochemistry, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853.
OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of the protection by total flavonoids of Astragalus protection against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage. METHOD: Analysing paracetamol and its metabolites in mice urine by HPLC and studying the mechanism of anti-damage induced by paracetamol using experiment module of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. RESULT: Administration of large doses of paracetamol to C57BL/6J mice produced significant hepatic injury with marked elevation in serum ALT activity and severe hepatocellular necrosis. TFA showed a good protective capability against paracetamol-induced hepatic injury. TFA had no marked effect on paracetamol and its metabolites except for the mercapturate-conjugate. The concentration of mercapturate change decreased with increasing TFA dose. TFA had no effect on the pentobarbital metabolites (P > 0.05). However, paracetamol (400 mg.kg-1) prolonged the sleeping time (by 110 min relative to the controls, P < 0.001). The TFA (P < 0.005) caused significant reduction in paracetamol-prolonged pentobarbital-induced sleep. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of TFA's protective effect against the paracetamol-induced damage may be related to the inhibition of some metabolism progress of paracetamol and the reduction of the toxicity metabolite such as mercapturate-conjugate.
8: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2001 Jul;26(7):483-6.
[Studies on protective effect of total flavonoids of Astragalus on liver damage paracetamol-inducedby]
Wang DQ, Ding BG, Ma YQ, Zhao HL, Neil TG, Brian T, Tian YP, Wang CB, Critchley JA.
Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of total flavonoids of Astragalus (TFA) on the liver against large doses of paracetamol in mice. METHOD: After oral administration of TFA or Vitamin C 1 h prior to giving large dose of paracetamol in mice, the changes of paracetamol-induced mortality rate, serum enzyme level and liver damage degree were observed. RESULT: Paracetamol produced 80% mortality, within 24 hours of the administration of a dose of 1000 mg.kg-1 to the mice. Pre-treatment of the animals with TFA (100 mg.kg-1) or Vitamin C (1,000 mg.kg-1) reduced the death rate to 20% and 0% respectively. There was also a significant rise in the serum enzyme level of alanine transaminase (P < 0.001) and the area of liver necrosis (P < 0.001), 24 h after paracetamol (400 mg.kg-1) treatment. With pre-treatment with either TFA or Vitamin C, there was an obvious dose-dependent decrease in ALT levels and the area of hepatocellular necrosis. CONCLUSION: TFA has potential protecting effect against the paracetamol-induced hepatic damage.
9: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2001 Dec;26(12):850-3.
[Effect of astragaloside IV on the increase of microvascular permeability induced by histamine in pial microvessels of rat]
Wu DZ, Hu ZB. Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China .
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of satragaloside IV on the microvascular permeability induced by histamine in pial microvessels. METHOD: The microvascular permeability was expressed by changes in the transendothelial electrical resistance which was measured with technique using microelectrode impaled into the vascular lumen and based on cable analysis of vessels in rat. RESULT: The transendothelial electrical resistance of microvessels superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid was about 2500 omega.cm2, indicating a tight barrier with extremely low ion permeability, and application of 10(-4) mol.L-1 histamine in superfusate caused a rapid and reversible decrease in transendothelial electrical resistance. In paired experiment, the decrease of transendothelial electrical resistance induced by 10(-4) mol.L-1 histamine was inhibited by adding 0.8 x 10(-4) mol.L-1 satragaloside IV in superfusate. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that increases in the microvascular permeability induced by histamine, and satragaloside IV can inhibit the increases in the microvascular permeability induced by histamine. It is necessary that the cellular mechanism of permeability response induced by satragaloside IV be further elucidated. |
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10: J Chromatogr A. 2003 Apr 11;992(1-2):193-7.
Preparative isolation and purification of two isoflavones from Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao by high-speed counter-current chromatography.
Ma X, Tu P, Chen Y, Zhang T, Wei Y, Ito Y.
Peking University Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. |
| Two isoflavones, calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside and formononetin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside, were separated from n-butanol extract of the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao by high-speed counter-current chromatography in two steps using two different solvent systems composed of ethyl acetate-ethanol-n-butanol-water (30:10:6:50, v/v) and ethyl acetate-ethanol-water (5:1:5, v/v). From 200 mg of crude extract, calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside (12 mg) and formononetin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside (10 mg) were isolated at over 95% purity by HPLC analyses, and their structures were identified by MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. |
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11: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Jul;22(7):515-7.
[Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor]
Duan P, Wang ZM. Chengdu First Peopte's Hospital, Chengdu 610016.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Astragalus membranaceus efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing on chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor. METHODS: One hundred and twenty tumor patients were randomly divided into the treated group and the control group. Both groups were treated with chemotherapy, but to the treated group, Astragalus injection was given additionally by intravenous dripping, 20 ml in 250 ml of normal saline once per day for 21 days as one course and 4 courses were given successively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the treated group showed a lower progressive incidence, lesser decrease of peripheral WBC and platelet count (P < 0.05), accompanied with CD8 significantly lowered (P < 0.05), CD4/CD8 ratio significantly increased (P < 0.01), IgG and IgM levels raised (P < 0.05) and Karnofsky scores elevated more than those in the control group. IgA level was unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSION: Astragalus injection supplemented with chemotherapy could inhibit the development of tumor, decrease the toxic-adverse effect of chemotherapy, elevate the immune function of organism and improve the quality of life in patients.
Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial
12: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Jun;22(6):453-6.
[Extracorporeal experimental study on immuno-modulatory activity of Astragalus memhranaceus extract]
Wang RT, Shan BE, Li QX. Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME) in regulating the immune function of human peripheral blood immune cells (PBIC) in vitro. METHODS: Effects of AME on the proliferation activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the tumor cell phagocytosis of peripheral blood adherent monocytes (PBAM) were measured by using 3H-TdR incorporation. Effect of the tumor-killing activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) was determined by using 51Cr-releasing assay. Effects on production of IgG by peripheral blood B cells (PBBC) and IL-6 by PBAM were tested by means of ELISA, and effect on production of TNF-alpha by PBAM was studied by means of biological method. Besides, the protein elements of AME were analysed by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: AME could promote the proliferation of human PBMC, elevate the tumor cell-killing activity of CTL, strengthen the tumor cell phagocytosis and cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) production of PBAM, and promote the IgG production of PBBC. AME contained multiple protein elements. CONCLUSION: AME has effect in enhancing human immuno-function and anti-tumor activity, it could be applied in clinical practice for immuno-modulation and tumor treatment.
13: Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2001 Jul;36(7):523-7.
[Characterization and recognition key components in Astragalus membranaceus]
Zhang ZZ, Liang XM, Zhang Q, Lu PZ. Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116011, China .
AIM: To separate, identify and quantify multi-components in complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Astragalus membranaceus by unified analysis for systematic study of its relative contents. METHODS: The analytical method was reverse-phase HPLC/photodiode array detector. Based on the comparison of UV spectra, software of UV database to assist recognition has been established. Key components have been found and recognized in two reference Astragalus membranaceus and three samples from different sources. With the unified analytical project, relative peak heights of key components were recognized and contrasted. RESULTS: The water-soluble components can be separated by solvent system A, a gradient program with mobile phase of methanol-water. The liposoluble components can be separated with the solvent system B, a gradient program of mobile phase of 2-propanol-acetonitrile-water. UV detection wavelength was set at 202 nm and the flow rate was 1 mL.min-1 on a Hypersil ODS column. Twenty-nine components in the four Astragalus membranaceus were recognized using characteristic parameters of chromatography and UV spectroscopy. All of the 29 key components in two reference samples and three samples from different sources were shown in their chromatograms to be the same. The concentrations of some the key components in different samples were similar while those of the others were different. The chromatographic peaks of the reference Astragalus membranaceus and two samples were matched with each other. Many different fingerprints were found and differences were shown on their chromatograms. Not only there were differences among three samples from different source, but also there were differences in the two reference samples. CONCLUSION: To find out the key components and recognize them are the basis of quantitative recognition and are very useful when standards are not available. The method of multi-component quantitative recognition in Astragalus membranaceus was developed. The method is convenient and reproducible. It can be widely used for the quality control of the Astragalus membranaceus.
14: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 May;22(5):376-8.
[Comparative study on effect of recipe for activating blood circulation and replenishing Qi on left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after myocardial infarction]
Wang ZT, Wang SR, Zhao MJ. Dongzhimen Hospital , Beijing University of TCM , Beijing 100700.
OBJECTIVE: Comparative study to the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Rat's model of left heart failure after myocardial infarction was treated with injection for activating blood circulation (ABCI, consisted of R. Salviae miltiorrhizea; Rh. Ligusticum wallichii and F1. Carthamus tinctorius) and injection for replenishing Qi (RQI, consisted of R. Codonopsis Pilosulae and R. Astragalus membranaceus) respectively. The effect of treatment were evaluated by observing and comparing the changes of heart morphological structure, collagen element, heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), left intraventricular area (LVA), ratio of ventricular wall thinning in MI area and myocardial nuclei number (MNN) per square area. RESULTS: In comparison with the model group, the reduction of collagen tissue around myocardial cells in living area of MI, HW/BW and LVA of ABCI and RQI group were lower, and MNN per square area was higher significantly (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both ABCI and RQI, though without positive myodynamia, showed certain inhibitory effect of left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after MI.
15: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 May;21(5):351-3.
[Influence of Salvia miltiorrhizae and Astragalus membranaceus on hemodynamics and liver fibrosis indexes in liver cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]
Tan YW, Yin YM, Yu XJ. Zhenjiang Municipal Third People's Hospital, Jiangsu 212003.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on hemodynamics and liver fibrosis indexes in patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. METHODS: Eighty-four cases of liver cirrhosis were enrolled and divided randomly into two groups, 42 in each. The control group was treated with conventional therapy and the tested group treated with SM and AM. The parameters, including diameter of portal vein and splenic vein (Dpv and Dsv), speed of blood flow in portal vein and splenic vein (Spv and Ssv), quantity of blood flow in portal vein and splenic vein (Qpv and Qsv) as well as liver fibrosis indexes, such as HA, PC III and LN, were determined before, 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, in the tested group, Dpv and Dsv decreased, Spv and Ssv increased, and Qpv and Qsv reduced, showing a significant difference in comparison with those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The liver fibrosis indexes were improved significantly in the tested group, also showed significant difference from those in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SM and AM could improve portal hypertension effectively in liver cirrhosis patients, one of the mechanism may be related with the improvement of liver fibrosis.
Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial
16: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Jan;21(1):43-6.
[Therapeutic effect of Astragalus and Angelica on renal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion in rats]
Sheng MX, Li JZ, Wang HY. Institute of Nephrology , First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Medical University , Beijing 100034.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Astragalus and Angelica on acute renal injury. METHODS: Using the ischemia/reperfusion model established by blocking blood flow through clamping of bilateral renal artery for 45 min, the changes of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), urinary volume (UV) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) as well as the morphological change of kidney before and after ischemia/reperfusion were observed. RESULTS: Astragalus and Angelica could promote recovery of RPF and GFR after ischemia/reperfusion, prevent the oliguria or shorten the oliguria period, reduce the increment of FENa and improve the histomorphological injury of kidney. CONCLUSION: Astragalus and Angelica have certain effect in protecting kidney from acute renal injury.
17: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Apr;21(4):274-6.
[Effect of Astragalus injection on platelet function and plasma endothelin in patients with early stage diabetic nephropathy]
Liu ZQ, Li QZ, Qin GJ. Affiliated Huaihe Hospital , Kaifeng Medical School , Henan 475000.
OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effect of Astragalus injection (AI) in treating early stage diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients. METHODS: The total of 136 early diabetic nephropathy patients were randomly divided into two groups, 50 cases in the conventional treated group and 86 in the AI treated group, the therapeutic course being 3 weeks. Levels of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), 24 hrs urinary albumin excretion rate (uAER), and platelet granule membrane protein (GMP-140), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha(6-keto-PGF1 alpha), and thromboxane B2(TXB2) before and after treatment were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. Moreover, the above-mentioned criteria in 26 healthy subjects were also measured for control. RESULTS: The plasma ET-1, GMP-140, TXB2 and uAER levels in DN patients were higher, but 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level was lower than those in healthy subjects. The above elevated criteria in DN patients could be lowered by AI treatment. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis and development of DN might be closely associated with the changes of plasma ET-1 level and platelet function. Astragalus could improve the above-mentioned changes in patients of early stage DN.
18: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Apr;21(4):254-6.
[Observation on collaborative treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy]
Yang YZ, Chen RZ, Zhang JN. Zhongshan Hospital , Medical School of Fudan University , Shanghai 200032.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (TCM-WM) in treating dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Patients of DCM were randomly divided into two groups, the 164 patients in the TCM-WM group were treated with combination therapy of traditional Chinese and western medicine, consisting of conventional western medicine, such as cardiac diuretic, vasodilative agents, taurine, coenzyme Q10, antiarrhythmics, beta blockers and Chinese herbal preparations such as Astragalus membranaceus and Shengmai injection; while the 156 cases in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine alone, including polarized liquid therapy, etc. RESULTS: The improvement of clinical symptoms and heart function in the TCM-WM group was significantly better than that in the control group. Although the total number of deceased cases in the two groups were similar, the dead number in 3-6 months in the TCM-WM group was less than that in the control group. Moreover, 1 year later, the deceased number of patients insisted with TCM-WM treatment for over 1 year was significantly less than in those treated for only 3-6 months (1 case vs 11 cases). CONCLUSION: Under the condition that there is no specific effective drugs, TCM-WM therapy can yet be regarded as an acceptable therapy for treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial
19: Zhong Yao Cai. 2000 Oct;23(10):625-7.
[Effect of AMI on proliferative cycle phase of bone marrow cells in mice]
Zhu X, Zhu B. West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041.
By using culture of bone marrow cells in vitro and flowcytometry, effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection (AMI) on proliferative cycle phase of bone marrow cells in normal and anemic mice was studied. AMI 40 micrograms/ml (concentration in culture system) can promote normal murine bone marrow cells (BMC) entering proliferative cycle phase (S + M/G2 phase), so do AMI 40 micrograms/ml and AMI 400 micrograms/ml to anemic murine BMC. The results suggested AMI maybe enhance hematopoietic function in mice. |
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20: Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Jan;26(1):34-9.
Induction of growth hormone by the roots of Astragalus membranaceus in pituitary cell culture.
Kim C, Ha H, Kim JS, Kim YT, Kwon SC, Park SW.
Drug Research and Development Team, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Seoul, Korea. |
| The traditional Asian medicinal herb, roots of Astragalus (A.) membranaceus (Leguminosae), is used for many purposes, some of which are purported to stimulate the release of growth hormone in vivo. Extracts of A. membranaceus were tested to determine whether they stimulate the release of growth hormone in rat pituitary cell culture. A. membranaceus was extracted sequentially with 80% ethanol (fraction A), n-hexane (fraction B); the test compound from the herbal extraction was isolated using silica gel column chromatography and was identified with spectral data. Test compound was also extracted by traditional boiling water methods. Induction of growth hormone in pituitary cell culture was conducted with isolated compounds and extracted fractions of A. Radix (dried roots of A. membranaceus). The fraction A was not active in the rat pituitary cell culture, but the fraction B derived from the ethanol fraction stimulated the release of growth hormone in culture. Six compounds from fraction B (1-6) were isolated and identified previously. The compounds 1,2-benzendicarboxylic acid diisononylester (1), beta-sitosterol (2), and 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-sitosterol (5) did not induce growth hormone release in the culture. Formononetin (3), 9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (4), stigmast-4-en-6beta-ol-3-one (6) and 98-E, a mixture of 1'-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-2',3'-dihydroxy-propylester (7) and 1'-hexadecanoic acid-2',3'-dihydroxy-propylester (8) stimulated the release of growth hormone in the rat pituitary cell culture significantly compared to the control. In conclusions, four compounds isolated from extracts of A. Radix induced growth hormone release in the rat pituitary cell culture. The 98-E isolate was the most active inducer of growth hormone release. |
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21: Life Sci. 2003 Feb 21;72(14):1563-71.
The collagenolytic effects of the traditional Chinese medicine preparation, Han-Dan-Gan-Le, contribute to reversal of chemical-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
Li C, Luo J, Li L, Cheng M, Huang N, Liu J, Waalkes MP.
Department of Pharmacology, Guiyang Medical College , China . |
| Han-Dan-Gan-Le (HDGL), a Chinese herb preparation composed of Stephaniat tetrandra, Salvia miltorrhiza, Radix paeoniae, Astragalus membranaceus, and Ginkgo biloba, has been used to treat human liver fibrosis. This study was designed to examine the therapeutic effect of HDGL on chemical-induced liver fibrosis in adult Wistar rats. Liver fibrosis was produced in rats by carbon tetrachloride (1.2 ml CCl(4)/kg, 2 times/week, after an initial dose of 5.0 ml CCl(4)/kg, sc), plus a diet of 20% fat, 0.05% cholesterol (continuous) and 30% alcohol in the drinking water ad libitum (every other day) for 8 weeks. HDGL (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg, ig, daily for 6 weeks) was administered to rats 72 hrs after the last dose of CCl(4) to examine its therapeutic effects on chemical-induced liver fibrosis. Upon pathological examination, the HDGL treatment had significantly reversed chemical-induced liver fibrosis and other hepatic lesions. Hepatic collagen accumulation induced by CCl(4) was markedly reduced by HDGL treatment, as evidenced by hepatic collagen content and by immunohistochemical analysis of type-I collagen in liver. HDGL appeared to stimulate the collagenolytic process in the liver, as a 30-50% increase in urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was observed with HDGL treatment as compared to rats only given CCl(4). In conclusion, HDGL can effectively reverse chemically induced liver fibrosis, and this appears to be due, at least in part, to the stimulation of hepatic collagenolysis, resulting in a resolution of hepatic fibrosis. |
22: Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2001 Dec;32(4):590-2.
[Effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection on megakaryocyte hematopoiesis in anemic mice]
Zhu X, Zhu B. Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu , China .
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection (AMI) on megakaryocyte hematopoiesis in anemic mice and explore its mechanism. METHODS: Anemic models of mice were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group and anemic control group. Intraperitoneal doses of AMI (20 mg/(ml.20 g) q.d x 6) were given to the treatment group, and equal doses of physiological saline were given to the anemic control group. On days 8, 11 and 14 after treatment, blood platelet and bone marrow cells were determined, and the numbers of CFU-Meg (colony forming unit-megakaryocyte) and Meg-CSA (megakaryocyte colony-stimulating activity) were determined by using technique of hematopoietic progenitor cells culture in vitro. RESULTS: Serum Meg-CSA of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the anemic control group. The abovementioned indices of the treatment group recovered to normal by day 11, which was markedly earlier than the day of recovery observed in the anemic control group. CONCLUSION: AMI can increase serum Meg-CSA of anemic mice and accelerate the recovery of megekaryocyte hematopoiesis after bone marrow suppression.
23: Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi. 1998 Sep;12(3):269-71.
[Study on the anti-herpes simplex virus activity of a suppository or ointment form of Astragalus membranaceus combined with interferon alpha 2b in human diploid cell culture]
Zhang L, Liu Y, Yu Z. Biotech Center for New Pharmaceutical Development, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Beijing China .
A study on the anti-herpes simplex virus activity of the suppository or ointment form of Astragalus membranaceus(AM) combined with recombinant human interferon alpha 2b(IFN) was carried out in human diploid cell culture. AM is a Chinese herb medicine and have been used in China as a tonic for thousands of years and the IFN was produced from E. coli with 95% purity. Obtained results indicated that the placebo suppository and ointment(without AM and IFN) seemed not to decrease markedly the anti-viral activity of IFN in WISH/VSV assay system. The anti-herpes simplex virus activities of suppository and ointment forms of AM and IFN were shown to be significantly higher than that of IFN alone. It is well known that chronic cervicitis is closely related to papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus as well as herpes virus infections. The AM-IFN suppository is suggested to be used in the treatment of cervicitis and the ointment in the treatment of skin herpes.
24: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 May;25(5):300-2.
[Effects of components isolated from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge on cardiac function injured by myocardial ischemia reperfusion in rats]
Zhou JY, Fan Y, Kong JL, Wu DZ, Hu ZB. Scientific Research Office, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200032, China .
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of components isolated from Astragalus membranaceus on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. METHODS: The myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury model was created by the left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion from the oracotouated rats, and the total saponins, total flavonids and astragaloside i.v. isolated from A. membranaceus on hemodynamics during acute myocardial ischemia, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, cAMP and malondialdehyede (MDA) contents in the ischemic myocardium were observed. RESULTS: The total saponins, total flavonids and astragaloside i.v. attenuated the declines of the amplitudes of LVSP and +/- LVdp/dtmax in rat heart injured by ischemia reperfusion in vivo, and decreased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in the ischemic myocardium. Otherwise, the total saponins increased the cAMP content and the total flavonids decreased the level of MDA production in the ischemic myocardium. CONCLUSION: The effects of different components isolated from A. membranaceus on protecting the cardiac function in the process of ischemia reperfusion may be related to the mechanism of improving energy metabolism, scavenging the oxygen free radicals and inhibiting the production of free radicals in the ischemic myocardium. |
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25: Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2003 Jan;51(1):75-80. Epub 2002 Nov 26.
Suppressive effect of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge on chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.
Cui R, He J, Wang B, Zhang F, Chen G, Yin S, Shen H. Molecular Carcinogenesis Unit, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. |
| Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been widely used for treating liver diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Experimental evidence indicates that it has antitumor potential. In this study, the effect of AM on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN), two-thirds partial hepatectomy, and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) (DEN-PH-AAF) was evaluated using glutathione S-transferase placenta form (GST-P) as marker. First, rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with DEN (200 mg/kg in saline), a two-thirds partial hepatectomy was carried out 2 weeks later, and the rats were then placed on a basal diet containing 0.02% AAF from week 3 to week 8 to induce hepatocarcinogenesis. The rats were given AM (90 mg/kg or 180 mg/kg body weight) by gavage from week 3 to week 8 (treatment groups). The formation of GST-P-positive foci and the expression of GST-P protein and mRNA caused by DEN-PH-AAF were reduced in the treatment groups, which clearly suggests that AM is effective in delaying DEN-PH-AAF-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. |
26: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1999 Mar;24(3):176-80, 192.
[Antiviral action of combined use of rhizoma Polygoni cuspidati and radix Astragali on HSV-1 strain]
Wang Z, Cheng Z, Fang X. Department of Oncogenic Virus, Virus Research Institute, Hubei Medical University , Wuhan
OBJECTIVE: The clinical action of combined use of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Radix Astragali on HSV-1 was investigated with a view to developing a new antiviral drug. METHOD: The action was analyzed by way of plaque reduction assay and median-effect principle. RESULTS: In the HEp-2 cell system, if the combination ratio of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Radix Astragali was 1(ED50):1(ED50) then, (1) In directly annihilating HSV- 1 F strain, when the plaque reduction rate was 20%-80%, and the combination index was < 1.0, there was synergism. (2) In inhibiting the multiplication of HSV- 1 F strain, when the plaque reduction rate was 20%-60%, and the combination index was < 1.0, there was also synergism. (3) In blockading HSV- 1 F strain infection, when the plaque reduction rate was 20%-90% and the combination index was < 1.0, there was synergism. So this ratio of 1(ED50):1(ED50) should be the first choice for combination. CONCLUSION: The treatment index of the above two Chinese medicinal herbs equals 10(3), and the cytotoxicity is not potentiated, indicating that the combination is helpful as a virucide for HSV- 1 F strain.
27: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1999 Oct;24(10):619-21, 639.
[Studies on pharmacological junctions of hairy root of Astragalus membranaceus]
Jin R, Zhang X, Chen C, Sun Z, Shen Y, Liu D, Hu Z.
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hairy root of Astragalus membranaceus(HRA). METHOD: HRA were given 10 g/kg per day for 50 days to aged mice treated with D-galactose, and the effect on memory and antioxidant functions were estimated. After administration of HRA 10 g/kg for four days, anti-ischemia-reperfusion kidney model of rat was prepared. The kidney function, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde(MDA) in kidney were examined. Mice with immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide were given orally HRA 10 g/kg for 12 days. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells was measured. RESULT: HRA improved the memory, raised SOD activity in brain and liver, decreased the MDA content in the liver of aged mice, reduced the MDA content in ischemia-reperfusion kidney, decreased the creatinine level in blood of rats, and promoted the activity of NK cells in immunosuppressed mice. CONCLUSION: Similar to the natural A. membranaceus, HRA has senility-preventing, antioxidizing and immunomodulating functions.
28: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 Mar;25(3):166-8.
[Determination of astragaloside IV in radix Astragali by HPLC with evaporative light scattering detector]
Zhou CL, Lu J. Liaoning Provincial Institute for Drug Control, Shenyang 110023, Liaoling , China .
OBJECTIVE: To develop a new method for the determination of astragaloside IV in Radix Astragali. METHOD: A HPLC-ELSD method was set up, using Hypersil C18 column ( 150 mm x 4.6 mm ), acetonitrile-water(1:2) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 ml.min-1. The parameters of drift tube and gas flow rate of the detector were set at 105 degrees C and 2.96 L .min-1 respectively. RESULT: The calibration curve was linear in the range of 2.02-10.12 micrograms. The average recovery was 100.5%. CONCLUSION: The active constituent astragaloside IV in Radix Astragali can be separated effectively. ELSD detection is appropriate for the determination of constituents with end absorption at low ultra-violet wavelengths. |
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29: J Chromatogr A. 2002 Jul 12;962(1-2):243-7.
Preparative isolation and purification of calycosin from Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao by high-speed counter-current chromatography.
Ma X, Zhang T, Wei Y, Tu P, Chen Y, Ito Y.
Peking University Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. |
| Calycosin was purified from an ethyl acetate extract of the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao by high-speed counter-current chromatography. The separation was performed in two steps with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-chloroform-methanol-water (1:3:3:2, v/v). From 200 mg of the crude extract, 14.8 mg of calycosin was obtained at over 99% purity as determined by HPLC analysis, and its chemical structure was confirmed by MS, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. |
30: Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi. 2001 Sep;15(3):236-8. [Influence of a triplex superimposed treatment on HBV replication and mutation during treating chronic hepatitis B]
Wu L, Liu H, Xue P, Lu ZG, Du KF. The 401 Hospital of PLA, Qingdao 266071, China .
OBJECTIVE: To observe and evaluate the influence of a new antiviral treatment scheme on HBV replication and mutation during treating chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: In the test group, lamivudine, IFN alpha-2b, Astragalus membranaceus were chosen as a triplex superimposed treatment scheme for treating the patients who were on the state of HBV high replication and involved in the clinical condition of chronic hepatitis B. The control group was treated with lamivudine alone. The observed parameters percentage of patients in whom HBV DNA became undetectable (serum HBV DNA<1.6 ng/L), HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion rate; HBV DNA serum level; HBV YMDD mutation rate and pre-C region mutation rate. RESULTS: Compared with that of the control group, HBV DNA undetectable rate of the test group increased markedly at weeks 12, 36, 48(P <0.05), HBeAg negative rate of the group increased markedly at week 36, 48(P <0.05), while anti-HBe positive rate increased only at week 48 (31.58 vs.19.23%, P <0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, HBV DNA serum level of both the test group and the control group reduced very remarkably (P <0.01), and at week 48, reduced more significantly (P <0.001). Compared with the control group, HBV DNA serum level of the test group reduced notably at week 12 (P <0.05) and very notable at week 36 and 48(P <0.01). At week 12, the pre-C region mutation occurred in the test group, and at week 24, 36,48, the pre-C region and YMDD mutations occurred in both the test group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: As to anti-viral treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the triplex superimposed treatment had better efficacy than lamivudine alone.
31: Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1998;33(2):148-51.
[Determination of 6 isoflavonoids in the hairy root cultures of Astragalus membranaceus by HPLC]
Zheng Z, Song C, Liu D, Hu Z. Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shanghai 200032.
An accurate RP-HPLC method for the determination of 10-hydroxy-3, 9-dimethoxypeterocarpan, (3R) 8,2'-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavan, formonenetin (7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone), 8, 3'-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxy-isoflavone, 2'-hydroxy-3', 4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-glucopyranoside and alycosin (7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone) in the hairy root cultures of Astragalus membranaceus was developed. Among them, 10-hydroxy-3, 9-dimethoxypeterocarpan, (3R) 8,2'-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavan and 8,3'-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone were new compounds in Astragalus membranaceus. The analytical column was Nucleosil C18. The mobile phases were methanol-water = 3:2 and 1:1 (v/v). The detection wavelengths were 254 nm and 280 nm. Calibration graphs were rectilinear between 2.5 micrograms and 12.5 micrograms. The recoveries were between 96.47% and 103.33%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of measurement precision test were 2.57%-6.52%. The flavonoid contents in the hairy root cultures were between 0.0005% and 0.0065% (dry weight).
32: Int J Oncol. 2002 Apr;20(4):681-9.
Effects of herbal preparation Equiguard on hormone-responsive and hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma cells: mechanistic studies.
Hsieh TC, Lu X, Guo J, Xiong W, Kunicki J, Darzynkiewicz Z, Wu JM. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
The Equiguard is a dietary supplement comprised of standardized extracts from nine herbs, respectively, Herba epimedium brevicornum Maxim (stem and leaves), Radix morindae officinalis (root), Fructus rosa laevigatae michx (fruit), Rubus chingii Hu (fruit), Schisandra chinensis (Turz.) Baill (fruit), Ligustrum lucidum Ait (fruit), Cuscuta chinensis Lam (seed), Psoralea corylifolia L. (fruit), and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge (root). This proprietary product, formulated according to Chinese traditional medicinal concepts, is aimed at restoring harmony in the <primordial (original) ying-yang> of the kidney, an organ which Chinese medicinal principles consider to be vital for invigorating as well as maintaining balance of the entire urological system. As the prostate is an integral component of the urological system, we performed in vitro studies to test the effects of ethanol extracts of Equiguard to modulate prostate growth and gene expression. These studies used prostate cancer cells mimicking the androgen-dependent (AD) and androgen-independent (AI) states of prostate carcinogenesis. Results show that Equiguard significantly reduced cancer cell growth, induced apoptosis, suppressed expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and lowered intracellular and secreted prostate specific antigen (PSA), and almost completely abolished colony forming abilities of prostate cancer cells. These data support the interpretation that this herbal formulation contains ingredients that collectively may be efficacious in preventing or treating AD and AI prostate carcinoma. The anti-prostatic activities of Equiguard may stem from its complex composition capable of targeting multiple signal transduction/metabolic pathways, to effectively correct, counteract or circumvent the impaired or dysfunctional mechanisms accompanying different stages of prostate carcinogenesis.
33: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1999 Nov;19(11):672-4.
[Effects of Astragaloside in treating myocardial injury and myocardial Sarco/Endoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase of viral myocarditis mice]
Lu S, Zhang J, Yang D. Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing (210029).
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on myocardial injury and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase of viral myocarditis mice treated with Astragaloside (AS) and Astragalus Injection (AI). METHODS: Viral myocarditis model was created by intraperitoneal inoculation with coxsackievirus B3m (CVB3m) solution and were divided into model, AS, AI and normal control groups. The mortality, myocardial pathological changes, serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and the activity of myocardial Sarco/Endoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) were observed. RESULTS: The mortality of model was higher than that of the normal control (P = 0.0042), AS and AI (P < 0.05). The serum level of cTnI of model was significantly higher than that of the normal control (P < 0.001), AS (P < 0.025) and AI (P < 0.05). The myocardial necrosis and inflammatory changes of AS and AI groups were alleviated than that of model (P < 0.01). The activity of myocardial SERCA of model were significantly lower than that of normal control (P < 0.001), AS (P < 0.01) and AI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AS and AI have some protecting effects on myocardial injury of viral myocarditis mice. AS is the effective component of Astragalus membranaceus in treating viral myocarditis. One of the mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus and AS for viral myocarditis mice depriving of the myocardial injury may be due to improve the activity of myocardial SERCA in the mice.
34: Chin Med J (Engl). 1999 Dec;112(12):1068-72.
Messenger RNA expressions of vasopressin system and aquaporin- 2 in adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats and effects of astragalus membranaceus.
Ma J, Fan S, Chen J, Gu Y, Lin S.
Division of Nephrology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, China.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of hypothalamic arginine vasopressin (AVP) mRNA, renal AVP V2 receptor mRNA, and AVP-dependent aquaporin-2 (AQP2) mRNA in rats with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome. Effects of Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus (AM) were also tested. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats with four weeks of adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS) were used in this study. Another group NS + AM was set to testify the effects of AM given 0.5 g/kg daily on NS. Hypothalamic AVP mRNA expression was examined by dot blot method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied for detection of renal cortical and medullary V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA. The results were normalized by mRNA of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from the same sample. RESULTS: All rats receiving adriamycin presented typical nephrosis. No obvious difference in plasma osmolality was detected among NS , NS + AM, and normal control (NC) rats. Hypothalamic AVP mRNA expression was higher in NS rats than NC (53.59 +/- 5.49 vs 25.72 +/- 1.96, P < 0.01). AM completely reversed this up-regulated expression (21.88 +/- 1.25). In both cortex and medulla of the kidney, nephrotic rat had increased AVP V2 expressions by 169% and 55%, respectively, compared with normal control rat. The increment of expression of AQP2 mRNA was consistent with that of V2 receptor in NS rat. AM could partially however significantly correct these up-regulations of V2 and AQP2 mRNA expressions (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The up-regulated mRNA expressions of hypothalamic AVP, renal V2 receptor and AQP2 might play a role in edema formation in adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats. AM exerts its therapeutical effects on nephrosis partially through this mechanism.
35: J Chromatogr Sci. 2001 Nov;39(11):459-62.
Determination of astragaloside IV in Radix astragali (Astragalus membranaceus var. monghulicus) using high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection.
Li W, Fitzloff JF. Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy , University of Illinois at Chicago , 60612, USA .
A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the determination of astragaloside IV, a characteristic constituent in Radix Astragali. Samples are analyzed by means of a reverse-phase column (Zorbax Eclipse XDB C18) using acetonitrile and water under gradient conditions as the mobile phase for 30 min. An evaporative light-scattering detector is used and set at an evaporating temperature of 43 degrees C with a nebulizing gas (compressed air) pressure of 3.4 bar. The detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio > 5) of astragaloside IV is 40 ng on-column.
36: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1998 Jun;23(6):371-3
[Protective effect of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. and Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. on experimental model of cerebral ischemia in rats]
Quan J, Du G. Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing
The experimental model of middle cerebral artery embolism in rats was made by inserting nylon thread. It was discovered that Astragalus membranaceus decoction(both 4.26 g .kg-1 and 7.1 g .kg-1) could reduce the capillary hyperpermeability and alleviate the dyskinesia caused by cerebral ischemia in rats. Purified Hedysarum polybotrys decoction (waste substances removed with alcohol after decocting with water) ( 12.5 g .kg-1) could reduce the water content in brain caused by occlusion of bilateral carotids in rats. Purified Hedysarum polybotrys decoction showed a tendency to reduce the water content in brain, but without statistical significance.
37: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1998 Aug;18(8):480-2.
[Experimental study on treatment of viral myocarditis in mice by integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine]
Xiong D, Yang Y, Su Y. Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Viral Heart Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital of Shanghai Medical University , Shanghai . China .
OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effects of Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) combined with taurine and/or coenzyme Q10(CoQ10) on coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) murine myocarditis. METHODS: Viral myocarditis model was created by intraperitoneal inoculation with CVB3 solution and were treated by saline, AM, taurine, CoQ10, AM + taurine, AM + CoQ10, AM + taurine + CoQ10, respectively. The mortality, ECG, CVB3-RNA in myocardium and myocardial histopathologic changes were observed. RESULTS: AM combined with taurine and CoQ10 could significantly reduce the mortality of the mice and the incidence of abnormal ECG at acute stage. CVB3-RNA was significantly reduced in AM treated group, especially in AM + taurine group. No anti-virus effect was found in CoQ10 group. All drugs could lighten myocardial histopathologic changes and the effect could be enhanced by combined treatment. CONCLUSIONS: AM, taurine and CoQ10 have some curative effects on CVB3 murine myocarditis, AM combined with taurine and CoQ10 is the best.
38: Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 1998 May;21(5):287-8.
[The effect of herbal medicine including astragalus membranaceus (fisch) bge, codonpsis pilosula and glycyrrhiza uralensis fisch on airway responsiveness]
Wang H, Chang B, Wang B. Huai Ning County Hospital , Anhui Province 246100.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of astragalus membranceus(fisch) bge, codonpsis pilosula and glycyrrhiza uralensis fisch on airway responsiveness. METHOD: FVC, FEV1 and PEF of twenty-eight asthmatic patients were measured before and six weeks after treated with Astragalus membranceus(fisch) bge, codonpsis pilosual and glycyrrhiza uralensis fisch; methacholine challenge test with 0.033 mumol and 1.98 mumol. RESULT: After 28 asthmatic patients received the treatment of those herbs, the results showed that FVC value increased obviously (t = 2.217, P < 0.05) and the value of FEV1 and PEF was all higher compared with before treatment of the herbs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The herbal medicine including astragalus memberanaceus (fisch) bge, codonpsis pilosual and glycyrrhiza uralensis fisch can decrease the airway responsiveness of the patients with asthma. |
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39: Phytother Res. 2000 Jun;14(4):294-6.
Inhibitory effects of astragali radix, crude drug in Oriental medicines on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification of mouse brain homogenate by copper.
Toda S, Yase Y, Shirataki Y. Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Kansai College of Oriental Medicine, 2-22-1 Wakaba, Kumatori, Sen-nan, Osaka 590-04, Japan . |
| Astragali Radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, is a crude drug used widely in Oriental medicines. It is a major component of Ougi-Keishi-gomotsu-to, a traditional herbal medicine, used for neurop patients with abnormal sensations and neuropathic pain of the legs. It was shown to have inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification by copper. The effects were similar to and stronger than those of mannitol and superoxide dismutase as free radical scavengers. These results demonstrated that Astragali Radix has inhibitory effects on oxidative stress induced by metal. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
40: Chin Med J (Engl). 1998 Jan;111(1):17-23.
Mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of astragalus membranaceus on sodium and water retention in experimental heart failure.
Ma J, Peng A, Lin S. Division of Nephrology, Huashan Hospital , Shanghai Medical University , China .
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Astragali on sodium and water retention in aortocaval fistula-caused experimental congestive heart failure and its involved mechanisms. METHODS: In aortocaval fistula-caused chronic (5 wk), heart failure rats treated with and without Astragali 1.0 g/day intraperitoneally, changes of cardiac and renal function, renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were examined. Dot blot analysis was used to determine the effect of Astragali on hypothalamic arginine vasopresin (AVP) mRNA expression, and mRNA expressions of aortic and renal AVP V1a receptor, renal AVP V2 receptor and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) were simultaneously detected by RT-PCR method. RESULTS: Rats with aortocaval fistula impaired cardiac and renal functions evidenced by higher right atrial pressure (RAP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), lower + dP/dtmax of left ventricle, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), urine volume (UV), urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) and free water clearance (CH2O) compared with sham-operated control (P < 0.05). There was no change in serum sodium, hematocrit and plasma osmolality. Astragali could remarkably improve the cardiac and renal functions. Dot blot analysis demonstrated upregulated hypothalamic AVP mRNA expression in this experimental heart failure. The AVP V1a receptor mRNA level of aortic arch and renal medulla were reduced, while in renal cortex it was elevated. The mRNA expressions of AVP V2 receptor and AQP2 were increased in renal cortex while decreased in medulla. Astragali could partially or completely correct those abnormal mRNA expressions. Analysis on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), urinary cyclic guanidino monophosphate excretion (UcGMP V), urinary cyclic guanidino monophosphate excretion/plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (UcGMP V/pANP), and further correlation and linear regression analysis between UcGMP V and plasma ANP showed that there was blunted renal response to ANP in heart failure rat, and astragali could improve the renal reaction to ANP significantly. CONCLUSION: Chinese herb, astragali have therapeutic effects on sodium and water retention in aortocaval fistula-induced heart failure, the mechanisms of which might be the improvement of cardiac and renal functions, partly correction of abnormal mRNA expressions of AVP system and AQP2, and amelioration of blunted renal response to ANP.
41: Med Lav. 1998;89 Suppl 2:S136-41.
Antidotal effect of glucoside extracted from Astragalus membranaceus on dimethoate intoxication in guinea pigs.
Li Y, Liu X, Xue SZ. Department of Toxicology, Shanghai Medical University , China .
Therapeutic effect of the glucoside extracted from the root of Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) was studied in guinea pigs intoxicated with 600 mg/kg doses of Dimethoate (D). Four groups of guinea pigs, each consisting of two males and two females, were treated with (a) D, (b) D + Atropine, and (c) D + AM, (d) D + Atropine + AM. The survival time of the animals increased from an average of 70 minutes without AM to an average of 235 minutes with AM. Severe changes in ECG were observed prior to respiratory distress in groups without AM, and Atropine did not modify such changes. Differently, severe ECG disorders appeared only after respiratory distress in groups treated with AM. Prolongation of the Q-T interval and changing of the T wave configuration were significantly mitigated in the AM treated animals, while, arrhythmias were minimized and postponed. Moreover, muscular fasciculation and fibrillation, seizures and secretion in the respiratory tract were also significantly reduced by AM treatment. Results have shown that AM could be a promising drug to be used after cholinergic crisis in the treatment of cardiac complications with severe organophosphate intoxication.
42: Chin J Biotechnol. 1998;14(2):93-7.
Studies on chemical constituents and immunological function activity of hairy root of Astragalus membranaceus.
Zheng Z, Liu D, Song C, Cheng C, Hu Z. Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Materia Medica College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Using a large-scale culture technique, the hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus were produced with a yield reaching 10 g/L. The results from RP-HPLC detection showed that the contents of crude saponin and astragaloside i.v. in the hairy roots were 5.81% and 0.14%, respectively. Six isoflavonoid compounds were also determined. Polysaccharide analysis showed that the total polysaccharide content in the hairy roots was 22.97%; of this content, acidic 8.29% and soluble 14.88%. In comparison with the dry roots, the hairy roots contained higher crude saponin and soluble polysaccharide contents, similar astragaloside i.v. content and lower contents of 6 isoflavonoids, total and acidic polysaccharides, showing that the quality of both types of roots was similar. Regaining the immunity function of rats with low immunity after feeding the aqueous extract of the hairy roots produced by large-scale culture showed that its capacity was similar to the dry roots of A. membranaceus in increasing the immunity function. The results in this paper give evidence that the hairy roots may be a new source of A. membranaceus. |
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43: Am J Chin Med. 1998;26(3-4):325-32.
The protective effects of traditional Chinese medicine prescription, han-dan-gan-le, on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
Li CX, Li L, Lou J, Yang WX, Lei TW, Li YH, Liu J, Cheng ML, Huang LH. Department of Pharmacology, Guiyang Medical College , Guizhou , China . |
| Han-Dan-Gan-Le, a Chinese medicine preparation composed of Salvia miltorrhiza, Radix paeoniae, Astragalus membranaceus, Stephania tetrandra, and dried leaves of Ginkgo biloba, has been used successfully to treat human liver fibrosis and cirrhosis for years. This study was designed to examine the mechanisms of the protection. Male Wistar rats were given CCl4 (1.2 ml/kg, 2 times/week), 20% fat diet, and 30% alcohol in drinking water (every other day) for 6 weeks. Han-Dan-Gan-Le (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg, p.o., daily for 6 weeks) was administered to rats simultaneously to examine the protective effects against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. The experimentally-induced liver fibrosis and other morphological alterations were significantly ameliorated by Han-Dan-Gan-Le. Han-Dan-Gan-Le treatments decreased CCl4-induced hepatic collagen accumulation by more than 50%, and significantly increased urinary excretion of hydroxyproline. The CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation in liver and serum was ameliorated as a result of Han-Dan-Gan-Le treatment, possibly by restoring the activity of superoxide dismutase activity in liver and erythrocytes, In conclusion, Han-Dan-Gan-Le is effective in protecting against liver fibrosis. The mechanisms of the protection appear to be due to its antioxidant properties and the modulation of hepatic collagen metabolism. |
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44: Altern Med Rev. 1998 Dec;3(6):422-31.
Botanical influences on cardiovascular disease.
Miller AL. Alternative Medicine Review. P.O. Box 25 , Dover , ID 83825 , USA . |
Several botanicals, including Crataegus oxycantha, Terminalia arjuna, Inula racemosa, and Astragalus membranaceus, have been found to have therapeutic benefit for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Crataegus oxycantha has been used traditionally as a cardiac tonic and current uses include treatment for angina, hypertension, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Animal studies have also indicated that Crataegus extracts may also have potential use as anti-ischemic and lipid-lowering agents. The bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree has a long history of use as a cardiac tonic as well, and has been indicated in the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia and for relief of anginal pain. Additionally, it has been found to have antibacterial and antimutagenic properties. Inula racemosa, also known as Pushkarmoola, is another traditional Ayurvedic botanical that has potential cardioprotective benefit. In human trials, a combination of Inula racemosa and Commiphora mukul was shown to be superior to nitroglycerin in reducing the chest pain and dyspnea associated with angina. Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese herb, is often used as a "Qi tonifier" and has been studied for its therapeutic benefit in treatment of ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and relief of anginal pain. Clinical studies have indicated that its in vitro antioxidant activity is the mechanism by which it affords its cardioprotective benefit.
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