ASTRAGALUS BENEFITS
ASTRAGALUS BENEFITS
Milk-vetch root, huang qi [Astragalus membranaceus, Leguminosae]
Astragalus root is believed to be a potent immunomodulator.
INTRODUCTION
Astragalus root has been used for thousand years in the Chinese society. It has become an
important remedy in the west since its effects upon the immune system came to light.
Astragalus root contains glycosides, polysaccharides, choline, betaine, rumatakenin and
b-sitosterol. Studies have shown that the polysaccharides in Astragalus could intensify
phagocytosis of reticulo-endothelial systems, stimulate pituitary-adrenal cortical activity and
restore depleted red blood cell formation in bone marrow. Many herbalists believe that
Astragalus is an ideal remedy for any one who might be immuno-compromized in any way. This
can range from someone who easily catches colds to someone with cancer. [1]
PREPARATION
Decoction: put l teaspoonful of the root into a cup of water, bring to boil and simmer for l0-l5
minutes.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITIES
Astragalus membranaceus has strong protective effects on free radical-mediated renal tubular
damage induced by high-energy shock waves in a rabbit study. [5]
ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES
Roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound healing in Turkish folk
medicine. Scientists found that the IL-2 inducing activity of the triterpene saponins might be the
mechanism involved in order to explain the immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of
Astragalus species. [6]
HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT
Ten-week-old fat-fed streptozotocin-treated rats, an animal model of type II diabetes mellitus,
were treated with Astragalus polysaccharide (400 mg/kg p.o.) for 5 weeks. The diabetic rats
responded to APS with a significant decrease in body weight, plasma glucose, and improved
insulin sensitivity. [4]
IMMUNO-MODULATION
Astragalus has demonstrated a wide range of immunopotentiating effects and has proven
efficacious as an adjunct cancer therapy. [2]
INHIBITION OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS
Injection of astragalus solution decreased fibrosis and in expression of laminin in a study of rat
hepatic stellate cells. [3]
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REFERENCES
[1] The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology.
[2] Sinclair S. Chinese herbs: a clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and Schizandrae. Altern Med Rev.
1998 Oct;3(5):338-44.
[3] Zhou X. Study on the inhibitive effect of Astragalus Injection solution on hepatic fibrosis in rats
Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;13(8):575-8.
[4] Wu Y. Hypoglycemic effect of Astragalus polysaccharide and its effect on PTP1B. Acta Pharmacol Sin.
2005 Mar;26(3):345-52.
[5] Sheng BW et al, Astragalus membranaceus reduces free radical-mediated injury to renal tubules in
rabbits receiving high-energy shock waves. Chin Med J (Engl). 2005 Jan 5;118(1):43-9.
[6] Yesilada E. et al Effects of triterpene saponins from Astragalus species on in vitro cytokine release. J
Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 4;96(1-2):71-7.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL
RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion
Milk-vetch root, huang qi [Astragalus membranaceus, Leguminosae]
Astragalus root is believed to be a potent immunomodulator.
INTRODUCTION
Astragalus root has been used for thousand years in the Chinese society. It has become an
important remedy in the west since its effects upon the immune system came to light.
Astragalus root contains glycosides, polysaccharides, choline, betaine, rumatakenin and
b-sitosterol. Studies have shown that the polysaccharides in Astragalus could intensify
phagocytosis of reticulo-endothelial systems, stimulate pituitary-adrenal cortical activity and
restore depleted red blood cell formation in bone marrow. Many herbalists believe that
Astragalus is an ideal remedy for any one who might be immuno-compromized in any way. This
can range from someone who easily catches colds to someone with cancer. [1]
PREPARATION
Decoction: put l teaspoonful of the root into a cup of water, bring to boil and simmer for l0-l5
minutes.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITIES
Astragalus membranaceus has strong protective effects on free radical-mediated renal tubular
damage induced by high-energy shock waves in a rabbit study. [5]
ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES
Roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound healing in Turkish folk
medicine. Scientists found that the IL-2 inducing activity of the triterpene saponins might be the
mechanism involved in order to explain the immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of
Astragalus species. [6]
HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT
Ten-week-old fat-fed streptozotocin-treated rats, an animal model of type II diabetes mellitus,
were treated with Astragalus polysaccharide (400 mg/kg p.o.) for 5 weeks. The diabetic rats
responded to APS with a significant decrease in body weight, plasma glucose, and improved
insulin sensitivity. [4]
IMMUNO-MODULATION
Astragalus has demonstrated a wide range of immunopotentiating effects and has proven
efficacious as an adjunct cancer therapy. [2]
INHIBITION OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS
Injection of astragalus solution decreased fibrosis and in expression of laminin in a study of rat
hepatic stellate cells. [3]
DO NOT COPY THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR BLOGS NOR ANY OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS
HOME
REFERENCES
[1] The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology.
[2] Sinclair S. Chinese herbs: a clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and Schizandrae. Altern Med Rev.
1998 Oct;3(5):338-44.
[3] Zhou X. Study on the inhibitive effect of Astragalus Injection solution on hepatic fibrosis in rats
Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;13(8):575-8.
[4] Wu Y. Hypoglycemic effect of Astragalus polysaccharide and its effect on PTP1B. Acta Pharmacol Sin.
2005 Mar;26(3):345-52.
[5] Sheng BW et al, Astragalus membranaceus reduces free radical-mediated injury to renal tubules in
rabbits receiving high-energy shock waves. Chin Med J (Engl). 2005 Jan 5;118(1):43-9.
[6] Yesilada E. et al Effects of triterpene saponins from Astragalus species on in vitro cytokine release. J
Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 4;96(1-2):71-7.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL
RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion
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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |