Astragalus Membranaceus

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a flowering plant whose root has been a cornerstone of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. Celebrated for its versatile therapeutic properties, astragalus has historically been prescribed to address general weakness, chronic illnesses, and to boost overall vitality. This herb is particularly noted for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as diarrhea, fatigue, anorexia, upper respiratory infections, heart disease, hepatitis, fibromyalgia, and even as an adjunctive treatment in cancer therapy.

Classified as an adaptogenic herb, astragalus is thought to possess anti-aging properties, largely due to its ability to promote the preservation of telomere length. It is widely employed to strengthen the immune system against stress and age-related decline. The primary bioactive compounds found in Astragalus include polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and various trace elements. Among these, astragalus polysaccharide (APS) stands out for its extensive pharmacological benefits.

Astragaloside I

Astragaloside I (AS-I) is one of the primary active compounds found in Astragalus membranaceus, known for its potential osteogenic properties. This triterpenoid saponin features cycloastragenol glycosylated at the 3 and 6 positions with 2,3-di-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylosyl and beta-D-glucosyl residues, respectively. Research suggests that AS-I may shield cerebral tissue from free radical damage during ischemic events and inhibit the activation of BV-2 microglial cells induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Astragaloside IV

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a saponin extracted from Astragalus membranaceus, one of its principal bioactive constituents. Modern medical and pharmacological research have demonstrated that AS-IV exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties, neuroprotection, cardioprotection, and anti-fibrosis capabilities. Notably, in the context of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), AS-IV shows therapeutic potential through various mechanisms, including the amelioration of myocardial fibrosis, suppression of inflammatory responses, reduction of oxidative stress, regulation of myocardial energy metabolism, enhancement of cardiac contractility, and prevention of myocardial cell apoptosis. These properties establish astragaloside IV as a valuable compound in the treatment of several cardiovascular conditions.

Cycloastragenol

Cycloastragenol, a triterpenoid isolated from various Astragalus species, is reputed for its telomerase activation properties. Research indicates that it can extend T cell proliferation by enhancing telomerase activity, which suggests potential anti-aging benefits. Additionally, cycloastragenol is an exceptional wound healing agent and has shown the ability to inhibit apoptosis in PC12 cells induced by 6-OHDA, indicating its potential as a neuroprotective agent for treating Parkinson's disease. Both Cycloastragenol and astragaloside IV can mitigate ROS-associated ER stress and subsequently inhibit TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome activation through the regulation of AMPK activity. This process helps ameliorate endothelial dysfunction by reducing inflammation and preventing cell apoptosis.

Calycosin

Calycosin is an O-methylated isoflavone that can be extracted from Astragalus membranaceus and Trifolium pratense. As a selective estrogen receptor modulator, calycosin possesses multiple pharmacological properties. It acts as a vasorelaxant and serves as a noncompetitive calcium channel blocker. Furthermore, calycosin exhibits anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antineoplastic, and skin-lightening activities. Notably, calycosin demonstrates tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 38.4 μM. It has also been shown to suppress breast cancer cell growth by modulating the ERβ-dependent IGF-1R, p38 MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

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