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What is Astragalus?what is function of Astragalus?

 Contents:

• Botanical Description of Astragalus.
• Astragalus Root Spices and Preparation.
• Constituents and Phytochemicals of Astragalus Root.
• Narrative History of Astragalus.
• Modern Uses and Application of Astragalus root.
• Improve immune function:Astragalus as antiviral agent.
• Astragalus Cardiovascular effects.
• Research Update:Anti-aging effect of astragalosides.
• Astragalus Root combination and Suggestions.
• Astragalus Observational Studies Case Reports.
• Quantitative Analysis of Astragloside IV.
• Uses based on tradition or theory.
• Application,Administration and Dosing.
• Astragalus Membranaceus Research Update.
• Photo Gallery of Astragalus membranaceus.

 Modern Uses and Application of Astragalus root.

1.General Tonic:
 In China, it has long been used as a classic energy tonic and is considered to be superior to ginseng for young people. It is believed to warm and tone wei qi (a protective energy that circulates just beneath the skin), helping the body to adapt to external influences, especially to the cold. It raises immune resistance, improves physical endurance, and encourages the body systems to function correctly.
 By encouraging blood flow to the surface, the herb is effective in controlling night sweats, relieving fluid retention, and reducing thirstiness.

 2.Invigorates qi to elevate yang:
 Invigorates qi to elevate yang, consolidates superficies to stop sweating, induces diuresis to remove edema, and promotes pus discharge and tissue generation.
 Milk vetch root is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs.
 Sweet and warm for invigorating qi and elevating yang, it is good for invigorating the spleen-qi and lung-qi and elevating the middle-jiao yang. It is always an important herb used to treat deficiency of the lung, lingering cough, deficiency of the spleen and stomach, and sinking of qi in the middle-jiao. Sufficient spleen-qi and lung-qi enable superficial qi to protect the body from diseases.
 The herb is often used for deficiency of qi and spontaneous perspiration. In addition, sufficient qi can help blood and water circulation, controling and generating blood. Therefore, the herb can be used in proper compatibility with other herbs to treat blood stasis due to deficiency of qi, hemorrhage due to cold of deficiency type, paleness due to deficiency of blood, edema (abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces) due to deficiency of the spleen and other syndromes.

 3,Astragalus benefit uterine bleeding and its diuretic effect:
 Astragalus is used to treat prolapsed organs and is beneficial in uterine bleeding.
 In Chinese medicine, the herb Astragalus has been used alone, or in combination with other herbs, to treat liver fibrosis, acute viral myocarditis and other viral infections, heart failure, and small cell lung cancer, liver and kidney diseases, and amenorrhea. Some study on wound healing effects of astragalus root find that Astragalus Polysaccharides promotes the adhesion between neutrophil and endothelial cell by way of promoting the expression of superficial I-CAM-1 on surface of endothelial cells, so to improve the inflammatory reaction in the wound healing course, it possibly is one of the biological bases of the detoxication and tissue generation effects of AP(118.). Diuretic effect of Astragali Radix (AR) in humans was described in ancient books, but its mechanism has not been identified,some recent study got identified aqueous extract of Astragalos Radix(ARE) induces a marked natriuresis in healthy men,oral dosage at 0.3g/kg body weight,which is attributed to enhanced renal responses to endogenous ANP. The Astragaloside IV in the ARE is not the active component for natriuresis(221.).

 4,Astragalus increase immune system:
 Taken internally, Astragalus is commonly used to strengthen the immune system, especially in such immuno-compromised individuals as those with HIV or during chemotherapy.
 Astragalus is the primary herb used in Chinese medicine to tone the immune system of the lungs. It is useful for conditions of immune deficiency that lead to spontaneous sweating. It is also used for spleen qi deficiency with symptoms of weak, low metabolism; edema; and prolapse of internal organs, as it raises the spleen yang and qi. It can be used for qi and blood deficiency caused by loss of blood or after childbirth.
 Astragalus contains numerous active compounds which bolster immunity. The polysaccharides seem to stimulate white blood cell production and spurs the activity of killer T cells, increasing the number of cells and the aggressiveness of their activity. Increased macrophage activity has been measured as lasting up to seventy-two hours.
 Astragalus increases the number of stem cells in the marrow and lymph tissues, stimulates their maturation into active immune cells, increases spleen activity, increases the release of antibodies, and boosts the production of hormonal messenger molecules that signal for virus destruction.
 Studies at the University of Texas Medical Center found that astragalus was able to restore completely the function of cancer patients compromised immune cells.
 Immune stimulation :Astragalus has been suggested as an immune system stimulant in preliminary laboratory and animal research, and in traditional accounts. Reliable human studies are lacking. High quality human research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
 Huang Qi can enhance mice's humoral and cellular immune functions. Astraglalan can enhance the phagocytic activity of mice's abdominal macrophage, and increase the number of their macrophagocytes. It can also increase PHA-induced in-vivo lymphocyte transformation rate. Astragaloside has a limited stimulatory effect on immunity and humoral immunity. Astraglalan can increase mice's spleen size, and promote the proliferation of their intrasplenic cells, and promote anti-body synthesis.FAM has a stimulatory effect on the immunity of mice with low immunity and can regulate their immune function.
 Immunotherapy:Clinical study vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis of Astragalus membranaceus identified this may contains immunomodulatory components which may be useful in the immunotherapy of disease,via augmented the PHA(phytohemagglutinin) responses of the MNC(mononuclear cells) from cancer patients significantly,another herb Ligustrum lucidum got tested and proved similar effects during same study(1.).Other similar study processed on Astragalus membranaceus root identified in vitro individual effects on mononuclear cells (MNC),augmented immune reactions induced by certain fractions(2.).Some further identifying study seems identified that a partially purified fraction with an estimated molecular weight of 20,000 to 25,000 found to possess a potent immunorestorative activity in vitro,its strong immune potentiating activity in vivo proved by data that markedly enhances the rats' ability to reject the xenogeneic graft,thus identified some rational basis for applications of this fraction in phase I clinical trials among patients suffering from iatrogenic or inherent immune deficiency states(3.),further study on Fraction 3 proved as potent immunorestorative agent and retained the immunopotentiating activity of the original crude extract(10.).The good antitumor activity of Astragalus root can be useful when applied togethor as a combination for interleukin-2 treatment in lower concentration to keep its potency(4.),related study about Shengmaisan with Astragalus membranaceus (SMAM) on anti-tumor activity of LAK cells got processed,result showed that the activity of LAK cells could be enhanced markedly by the synergic action of SMAM in proper concentration (100 micrograms/ml) with IL-2,and thus indicate a treatment substitution,which means the treatment for malignant tumor using SMAM assisting LAK cells could replace the application of some cell factors which were expensive and toxic at present(45.). Some fraction from Astragalus root used to enhance the natural host defence function in cancer patients(such as Fuzheng therapy),suggestive dosage of this fraction is about 100 micrograms/ml,augmentation included Local graft versus host (GVH) reaction and blastogenic response of lymphocytes(7.).In a recent study Astragalus membranaceus extracts got observed enhance antibody response of Th cell activity in normal and immunodepressed mice(30.),for application side,the modulating immune function of Astragalus and some other herbs got used in treatment of gastric disease,such as gastric disease infected with Campylobacter pyloridis treatment via a combination named FuZheng QuXie(combined with Astragalus membranaceus, Atractylodes macrocephala and Paeonia lactiflora,Taraxacum monogolicum and Oldenlandia diffusa)(31.).In some recent clinical study,Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Ligustrum lucidum (LL) got identified works exert their antitumor activity via abolition of tumor-associated macrophage suppression,depression was partially or completely reversed by the presence of 50-100 micrograms./ml. of either the AM or the LL extract(34.).Cancer chemopreventive properties of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and some other herbs(such as Ligustrum lucidum (LL),etc.) got identified via test(39.).Some mice test by AFE(a combination of Astragalus membranaceus, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Eclipta prostrata) shows that this recipe can obviously raise the conversion percentage of lymphocytes at dosage 9g/kg, 20g/kg, respectively for seven days.And AFE turned out a resistance to the immunosuppressive effect caused by cyclophosphamide(41.).Some mice study showed that forced running exercise in the growing stage bundled with the administration of Astragalus membranaceus enhanced immune functions and might also intensify the functioning of the host defense system(43.).Some selective study process on the subject of immunomodulating activity including Astrafalus root and other 7 kind herbs identified they can markedly stimulated murine spleen cells to proliferate,majorly via (a).enhance the production of Ig(anti-immunoglobulin),(b).enhanced the induction of allo-antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes,(c).stimulated macrophages to produce interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor,suggest that these chinese herbals have immunomodulating activity in vitro and this activity could be used clinically for the modulation of immune responses(67.).Some study about Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME) regulating the immune function of human peripheral blood immune cells (PBIC) in vitro identified that its mechanism mainly via 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 could be applied in clinical practice for immuno-modulation and tumor treatment as for effect in enhancing human immuno-function and anti-tumor activity(93.).The immunopotentiating effect of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, has been associated with its polysaccharide fractions (Astragalus polysaccharides, APS),Some study about find that activates mouse B cells and macrophages, but not T cells, in terms of proliferation or cytokine production,and APS activates B cells via membrane Ig in a TLR4-independent manner,thus provide some important implications for our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of immunopotentiating polysaccharides(121.).For the mechanism,some other study find that polysaccharide of Astragalus membranaceus stimulates macrophages to express iNOS gene through the activation of NF-kappaB/Rel,significantly induces nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) transcription through the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB/Rel (NF-kappaB/Rel)(139.).Some recent study got proposed that astragalus decoction at different doses and with various ways of taking medicine could improve phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage of mice at different degree, and could antagonize the immunosuppressive effect of Dexamethasone(153.).For the applications,Astragalus membranaceus saponins are found available safely used as adjuvant with low or non-haemolytic effect(143.).
 In some combinative study,a combination of three herbs(Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra) got used to to activate immune cells in human subjects,activation took place within 24 h of ingestion, and continued for at least 7 day,these three herbs had an additive effect on CD69 expression when used in combinationt(167.).Some other study about Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and astragalosides (AS) on the phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by macrophages got concluded that APS and AS have strong promoting effects on the phagocytosis of M. tuberculosis by macrophages and the secretion of interleukin-lbeta, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha by activated macrophages(194.).Except in mice and humans,some application of astragalus in carp find that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) shows its effect on cytokines and immune-related gene expression in different organs of common carp,For fish immune defences, cytokines and anti-microbial peptides (lysozyme) in circulating system play important roles(215.).Other study focus on potential in vitro immunostimulatory effects of Astralagus membranaceus polysaccharides (APS) on sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka),the result suggested suggested that immunocytes activity in A. japonicus decreased with the temperature increasing from 18 degrees C to 25 degrees C, and APS could be an effective immunostimulant to enhance phagocytic activity and O(2)(-) production(219.).Some comparative study of Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadenisis) and Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) on immune modulation of macrophage pro-inflammatory response exhibit abilities to modulate macrophage responses during stimulation.Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadenisis) is a native American medicinal plant used as an immune stimulant. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a widely used herbal product in China, other Asian countries, and the United States as an immune stimulant to be taken on first clinical signs of infection(237.).

 5. Astragalus benefit liver and act as antibiotics.:
 Astragalus also increases production of interferon, a natural protein that stimulates production of other proteins that help prevent and fight viral infections.
 It protects the liver from a variety of liver toxins, including carbon tetrachloride and the anticancer compound stilbenemide.
 Chinese experiments indicated that the herb was able to protect against the absorption of toxic chemicals into the liver. Studies have shown that patients given the herb suffered less angina and had a greater improvement in the EKGs and other measurements than patients given such standard heart drugs as nifedipine. Chinese researchers report that the herb improves funtion of the heart's left ventricle after a heart attack, which they theorize may derive from the herb's antioxidant effects. Other Chinese researchers found heart-protective effects in people with Coxsackie B virus which can cause viral myocarditis. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Proteus mirabilis.
 
 Liver protection:Several animal and human studies report that astragalus may protect the liver from damage related to toxins or hepatitis B and C. Overall, this research has been poorly designed and reported. Astragalus alone has not been well evaluated. Better quality research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn. Astragalus membranaceus ethanol extracts oral administration proved Hepatoprotective(29.).Some recent test proved Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) which isolated from Astragalus membranaceus root works to protect liver via its antioxidative action to protect the mitochondria bio-membrane,the effects of APS were shown to be dose-dependent(37.).Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment with a herb recipe named Yi-ganning Granule (YGNG) which combined with Astragalus membranaceus , Artemisia capillaris, Codonopsis pilosula etc proved that most of the treated are in stabilized state after 6 months,its mechanism major works via decrease serum ALT level and protect the liver function of carbohydrate, fat, protein metabolism and detoxication,induce interferon in vivo and play an important role in seroconversion of negative DHBV-DNA and improvement of pathological morphology in viral hepatitis B(46.). Someother study identified Fufang Huangqi granule integrated with lamivudine possesses a better effect for counteracting the hepatitis B virus and improving the liver functioin than only itself(179.).Some study proposed a combination(Paeonia lactiflora and Astragalus membranaceus) have a protective effect on BCG/LPS-induced liver injury mice, which might be associated with the antioxidant properties, ability to reduce nitric oxide production and suppression of Kupffer cell activity and pro-inflammatory mediator and cytokines production.These two herbs are commonly used in Chinese herb prescription to treat liver disease(238.).
 For liver Fibrosis and Liver cirrhosis:some study find that Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and Astragalus membranaceus (AM) could improve portal hypertension effectively in liver cirrhosis patients, one of the mechanism may be related with the improvement of liver fibrosis.Comparative treatment result showed this combination can brings Dpv and Dsv decreased, Spv and Ssv increased, and Qpv and Qsv reduced, liver fibrosis indexes were improved significantly in the tested group(91.). In some paracetamol-induced liver damage(which may cause 80%mortality) clinical test on mice,Pre-treatment of the animals with total flavonoids of Astragalus (TFA 100 mg.kg-1) or Vitamin C (1,000 mg.kg-1) reduced the death rate to 20% and 0% respectively,further observation proved there was an obvious dose-dependent decrease in ALT levels and the area of hepatocellular necrosis,suggest Astragalus Total flavonoids has potential protecting effect against the paracetamol-induced hepatic damage(98.,99.).

 6,Astragalus used for old disease and more others:
 Astragalus is useful for the treatment of:Alzheimer's disease,Chemotherapy support,Common cold/sore throat,Immune function
 Infusions are used to ward off or help treat colds and other infections, to improve heart function especially after a heart attack, to improve memory and learning, to temporarily increase urinary output, and to promote the healing of burns and skin sores. Some recent studies about Memory-improving effect of aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus indicate that aqueous extract of Astragulus membranaceus (AMWE) can improve the anisodine-induced impairment on memory acquisition as well as the alcohol-elicited deficit of memory retrieval (number of errors were reduced and latent period was prolonged) in step down(56.).
 A decoction of Astragalus root in combination with Chinese angelica is used to treat anemia but when combined with cinnamon, it is used to treat cold and numbness.
 When Astragalus root is dry-fried alone or with honey added, it is used as a stimulating tonic and eaten with meals.Asragalus boosts the spleen when symptoms indicate that it is not functioning as it should. These symptoms include chronic fatigue, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite.
 The herb is also used to treat anorexia, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, malaria, kidney inflammations, painful urination, prolapsed uterus, uterine bleeding or weakness, edema, water retention, skin ulcers that will not heal, fever, lack of stamina, and generalized weakness.
 Tinctures are often used for night sweats.

 7,Astragalus used for treatment of the kidneys:Renal failure,diabetic nephropathy, acute renal injury.
 Several animal and human studies report that kidney damage from toxins and kidney failure may be improved with the use of astragalus-containing herbal mixtures. Years before, this research has been poorly designed and reported. Astragalus alone has not been well evaluated. Better quality research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.
 Milk vetch root is used especially for treatment of the kidneys and also to avoid senility. The plant is often used in conjuction with other herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Ledebouriella seseloides.Huang Qi can increase the albumin level in the plasma, decrease output of urinary protein, increase muscle protein, which in turn help provide the necessary amino acids, and improve the dysfunctional protein metabolism in glomerulopathy. This effect of Huang Qi can effectively prevent glomerular sclerosis. Moreover, administered to mice with experimental diabetes, Huang Qi has a protective effect on their kidneys.
 Some clinical treatment test via Astragalus injection (AI) treating early stage diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients,processed 50 cases in the conventional treated group and 86 in the AI treated group for 3 weeks therapeutic course, the therapeutic course being 3 weeks,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(89.). Other study on a combination of Astragalus plus Angelica root for treatment of acute renal injury proved certain effect in protecting kidney from acute renal injury,its mechanism via promote recovery of RPF(renal plasma flow) and GFR(glomerular filtration rate) after ischemia/reperfusion, prevent the oliguria or shorten the oliguria period,reduce the increment of FENa and improve the histomorphological injury of kidney(90.).Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become the leading cause of end stage failure, but no renoprotective treatment has been very available for use in DN,some comparative study on rats find that Astragalus saponin I (AS I) has therapeutic effects on several pharmacological targets in the progress of DN and is potentialfor prevention of early stage DN(120.). Some comparative treating diabetic nephropathy(DN) control study find that Fructus Arctii Mixture (FAM, consisted of Fructus Arctii and ethanol extract of Radix Astragalus membranaceus) 3 months apply can reach total effective rate 80.6%,identified that effects of reducing urinary protein in 24 hrs, lowering urinary albumin, improving blood glucose after meal and lipid metabolism,symptoms,urinary protein and albumin as well as lipid metabolism in the treated group all significantly improved after treatment(124.).In some related study of live rabbit model,Astragalus membranaceus has been find release strong protective effects on free radical-mediated renal tubular damage induced by HESW and that these effects are superior to the effects of verapamil,and recent studies have revealed the important role of free radicals in renal damage induced by high-energy shock waves (HESW)(130.).Insome comparative treatment study about early- and intermediate-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN),a traditional herbal combination named Tangshenqing (TSQ,containing Astragalus membranaceus, Panax notoginseng, Epimedium brevicornum, etc) are found togethor with alprostadil injections produces definite therapeutic effect on early- to intermediate-stage DN in 30-day treatment(205.).Some other study find Astragalus polysaccharide(APS) can be helpful for the prevention and/or treatment of DN at early stage.Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of the end-stage failure of kidney, but the efficacy of currently available strategies for the prevention of DN remains poor(210.). Some study about regulattory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on immune disturbance of the rats with IgA nephropathy proposed that astragalus could regulate the derangement of Th1, Th2, accordingly could improve the level of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in the serum and diminish the expression of cytokine Th2 TGF-beta1 and IL-5 of the renal tissue, and thereby could postpone the development of IgAN(225.).
 In some treating study of type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy,Astragalus (AS) and saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) are found accommodating lipid metabolism, can also reduce the level of serum MMP-9 soas to treat type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy(132.).In some study treatment of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria,a combination of Radix Astragali and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong compound medication may decrease urinary albumin excretion and improve endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria. The mechanism may relate with the therapeutic effects of Radix Astragali and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong on anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and alleviation of the hypo-fibrinolytic/pro-thrombotic state(143.).Some type 1 diabetic mice study find that Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) can upregulate pancreatic beta cell mass in type 1 diabetic mice, strongly associated with improved autoimmunity(223.).Some study about early mechanism leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN) indicate that Astragaloside IV improve HG-induced podocyte adhesion dysfunction, which is partly attributed to alpha(3)beta(1) integrin upregulation and ILK inhibition.Impaired podocyte adhesion to glomerular basement membrane (GBM) may contribute to podocyte detachment from GBM, which represents a novel early mechanism leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN)(235.).Some study find that Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) can regulate part of the insulin signaling in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle, and that APS could be a potential insulin sensitizer for the treatment of type 2 diabetes(275.).
 Some Hypoglycemic effect study find that Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) enables insulin-sensitizing and hypoglycemic activity at least in part by decreasing the elevated expression and activity of PTP1B in the skeletal muscles of TIIDM rats(134.).Some recent study on about shock wave induced kidney damage and treatment of Astragalus components(total saponins of astragalus (TSA), total flavonoids of astragalus (TFA) total polysaccharide of astragalus (TPA)) find that,TFA and TSA, especially TSA seemed to play the key role in alleviating ESWL induced kidney damage(151.). Some other related study about isoflavones, especially biochanin A and their parent botanicals(such as Astragalus membranaceus and Pueraria thomsonii), as antidiabetic agents and for use in regulating lipid metabolism,the study reason is said because the majority of diabetic patients suffer from atherogenic lipid abnormalities, in addition to insulin resistance, ligands are required that can activate both PPARalpha and PPARgamma(160.).Some other study about astragaloside indicated that astragaloside treatment provided significant protection against shock wave-induced renal oxidative injury(165.),Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-induced renal damage can occur as a result of multiple mechanisms, including small vessel injury and free radical formation. Some study about Astragalus Injection (AI) on renal tubular function in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) got identified the severity of tubulointerstitial lesion was positively related to urinary RBP concentration, and astragalus injection has obvious effect on IgAN(168.).Some other study identified that a combination of astragalus and angelica mixture (AA) have influence on the renal tubular epithelial cell injury induced by aristolochic-acid I,and got a conclusion related,AA inhibits AA-I induced injury in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, whose mechanism may be partially through blocking TGF-beta1 secretion(170.).Some relative study about Astragalus polysaccharide (APS,consisted of d-glucopyranose and had the molecular weight of 3.6x10(4) Da) find that APS is effective in protecting against glomerulonephritis induced by C-BSA through the inhibition of NF-kappaB mediated-cytokine pathway,Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been widely used for treating kidney diseases in traditional Chinese medicine(182.).Some combination study of DBT identified that Dang Gui and Huang Qi mixture alleviates the disorder in blood glucose and lipids, protects against the progression of renal nephropathy in diabetic rats, probably by inhibiting the expression of AngII and TGF-beta (1) mRNA.DBT have been proven to be effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM),this study maybe provide some underlying molecular mechanisms(184.).Some immunotherapeutic study find that APS(Astragalus polysaccharide) seems to be helpful to attenuate insulitis and preserve beta cells from apoptosis, but it can't entirely rescue type 1 diabetes mellitus. APS ameliorates both the clinical and histological parameters of the MLD-STZ induced diabetic mice in a long-lasting fashion, most likely through immunoregulatory actions on Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio, strongly associated with PPARgamma gene expression in spleens(192.). Some relative study about the mechanism of pathogenesis of the early stage diabetic renal injury concluded that the expression of angiopoietin receptor Tie-2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the early stage diabetic renal injury. The reno-protection effect of Astragalus may be mediated by down-regulating the expression of Tie-2 in the kidney tissue of diabetic rats(208.),thus give some explain about the mechanism of the Astragalus root on treatment of early stage diabetic.Some mechanic study find that Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis could improve micorvascular lesions through multiple mechanisms, and may retard the progress of renal diseases,these mechanisms include:(increasing local renal blood flow to lessen the hypoxic renal injury, promoting the recovery of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate after ischemia-reperfusion, modulating the imbalance of vaso-activators such as nitric oxide and angiotensin, increasing the expression of vascular epithelial growth factor and inhibiting the release of the intracellular calcium ion and promoting DNA synthesis in endothelial cells to improve the function of endothelial cells.)(239.)In some mechanism study about whether Astragalus membmnaceus var. mongholicus and Angelica sinensis can affect the expression of VEGF,the density of the renal microvasculature and thus alleviate the renal injury,test result proposed that it has renoprotective effects by suppression of extra cellular matrix deposition in 5/6 Nx rat. The renoprotective effects may be associated with reduction of proteinuria, up-regulation of VEGF which may reduce the loss of capillaries and improve microstructure dysfunction.Chronic renal ischemia and hypoxia in the tubulointerstitium are involved in the mechanisms of progressive chronic kidney disease(264.).Some mechanism study propose Astragali Radix and astragalosides may be a potentially useful strategy for the prevention of clinical diabetic complications by inhibiting AGEs,or natural AGEs inhibitor(advanced glycation end product),Because advanced glycation end product (AGE) inhibitors such as pyridoxamine significantly inhibit the development of retinopathy and neuropathy in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat, treatment with AGE inhibitors is believed to be a potential strategy for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetic complications(268.).Some systematic review of renal protective effect of Astragalus membranaceus (root) on diabetic nephropathy proposed that AM (root) and its effective components are effective in reducing fasting blood glucose and albuminuria levels, in reversing the glomerular hyperfiltration state, and in ameliorating the pathological changes of early DN in rat models(271.).
 Some combination study on chronic kidney diseases suggested that Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, has shown antifibrotic effects in rats with chronic kidney diseases and improvement of renal blood flow in rats with acute ischemic renal injury. The mechanism of this combination on vasoactivators in the process of renal interstitial fibrosis suggested that anti-fibrosis effects of this combination might be associated with enhancing NO production via eNOS activation and scavenging ROS, and in turn might improve ischemic microvasculature and attenuate interstitial fibrosis(199.).Some relative combination study find aquesous extract of Fructus Corni (AEFC) and Radix Astragali (AERA) could reduce the urinary protein and made protein pattern different, which showed that radix astragali and fructus corni could play an important role in protecting renal function of nephropathy mice and finding the target protein markers related to AERA and AEFC effects on nephropathy mice(209.).For other type renal disease,some clinical treatment suggests that Astragalus may have beneficial effects in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy,the dose of 15 g/d for an 77-year old women with nephrotic syndrome secondary to idiopathic membranous nephropathy got marked decrease in proteinuria(214.).Some other study find Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE,made up of astragalosides, astragalus polysaccharide and salvianolic acids) exerts anti-HepG2 cell invasion effect by modulating TGF-beta/Smad signaling,which may contribute to hepatic fibrosis inhibition(274.).Some related study identified Combined extract of Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis togethor with ACE inhibitors (ACEi) Enalapril significantly more effective than Enalapril alone in reducing tumor necrosis factor-alpha, collagen accumulation, activation of fibroblasts, and tubular cell apoptosis.In conclusion, Enalapril with AandA combination significantly decreased tubulointerstitial fibrosis to a greater extent than treatment with Enalapril alone.ACE inhibitors (ACEi) reduce renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis but are not completely effective(281.)
 

 8,Astragalus used to treat infertile men:
 In traditional Chinese medicine, milk vetch root and milk vetch seed were used to treat infertile men. Tests have shown that the herb does increase sperm motility, or the vigorous activity of sperm.Some recent study among 18 herbs proved Astragalus root maybe the only one to work on mobility of sperm,as poor sperm motility is an important cause of male infertility,Astragalus membranaceus water extracts was the only herb that showed a significant stimulatory effect,the test result showing that At 10 mg/ml, it increased the motility of sperm in semen to 146.6 +/- 22.6% of control. It also increased the motility of washed sperm to 138.2 +/- 13.8% of control(36.).Thus Astragalus Root maybe one of the necessary herbs for any formula wanted to boost sperm mobility and treat male infertility.Some other similar experiment on six herbs(including Astragalus membranaceus, Acanthopanacis senticosi, Panax genseng and Ophiopogon japonicus, P. genseng and Aconitum carmichaeli, Salviae miltiorrhiae, Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide) identified A. membranaceus and Acanthopanacis senticosi can enhance the motility of human spermatozoa in vitro(113.).

 9,Astragalus treatment for cancer:
 Astragalus root is also used in the treatment of cancer, prolapse of the uterus or anus, abcesses and chronic ulcers, chronic nephritis with oedema and proteinuria. Recent research in the West has shown that the root can restore normal immune function in cancer patients. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy recover faster and live longer if given milk vetch root concurrently.
 In addition,Astragalus root could be used in combination for treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head,treatment of Diabetes and Lowering Blood Sugar,Cardiovascular Diseases,Gastro-Intestinal Cancers,Treatment and Prevention of Liver Fibrosis,Coxsackie Virus Infections,Vitiligo,Hepatitis C Treatments,Treatment of Throat and Voice Disorders,Treating Scleroderma,Pain,Treatment of Alopecia,Patients with Renal Failure,Mind and Brain Disorders,Promote Well-Being,treat for Iron Deficiency Anemia
 One of the problems of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients is a pronounced lowering of the body's already low immune response. Astragalus assists the recovery of the immune system through these difficult treatments. Experiments on different cancer sufferers in China have shown the herb to be effective against the cancer itself. The herb was shown to increase the productivity of T-cells and killer cells to both fight the cancer and enhance natural defence functions.
 Astragalus also finds application in the treatment and prevention of virally contracted colds and flu, bronchitis, cardiovascular problems including heart disease, blood pressure and glandular problems including those of the liver (hepatitis), kidneys (nephritis), spleen and adrenal gland. Astragalus strengthens the lungs, especially where they are chronically weak and there is a shortness of breath, and it aids in the recovery of any illness or injury requiring long-term immune system support. Most importantly, studies to date have shown Astragalus root to be non-toxic and safe to use on a long-term regular basis.
 Cancer :Although early laboratory and animal studies report increased immune cell function and reduced cancer cell growth associated with the use of astragalus, there is no reliable human evidence in these areas. Due to a lack of well-designed research, a firm conclusion cannot be drawn.Some recent test on a fraction of Astragalus membranaceus(Astragalan, M.W. 20,000-25,000) got tested and proved enhance the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro,suggest some potential application of Astragalan in cancer immunotherapy(44.).Some other clinical treatment test showd the applications of Astragalus membranaceus root and Ginseng leaf treatment on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) togethor with other methods(52.).Other clinical test on hepatocarcinogenesis treatment showed Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is effective in delaying DEN-PH-AAF-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in 3 to 8 weeks(85.).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,administration as 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 in treatment,suggest its uses about toxicity reducing on chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor(94.). Some other study identified that 5-fluorouracil-FU plus astragalus membranaceus can decrease the level of free glutamic acid in the mice models, and inhibit tumor growth.The increasing levels of free serine and proline in tumor specimens in gastric cancer mice model reveals metabolic disturbance of amino acid(176.).Some related study suggested A. membranaceus could exhibit both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects, which might be achieved through activating the anti-tumor immune mechanism of the host,Astragalus has been shown to be capable of restoring the impaired T cell functions in cancer patients(186.).Some other study find that Astragalus Membranaceus Injection can inhibit the TNF-alpha-induced expression of IL-6 and sICAM-1 by suppressing NF-kappabeta activation, suggesting its protective effect on the endothelial function(TNF-alpha,tumor necrosis factor alpha)(269.).Some related study proposed Astragalus mongholicus injection may inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and interrupt caryocinesia at G0-G1 phase or S phase in hormone sensitive (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines with physiological dose E2(273.).

 10,Astragalus treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS):and its contribution to mechanism of immune function.
 Contention still surrounds the actual origins of this debilitating condition, but general consensus agrees that it results from severe viral infiltration of the body. The very chronic nature of CFS means that sufferers may greatly benefit from the anti-viral, long-term immune strengthening and overall tonic effects Astragalus exerts on the body.
 Some theory proposed Alteration of immune function may be associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS),the tonic effects of Astragalus membranaceus flavonoids (AMF) against CF may be attributable to balance the abnormal cytokine level by isoflavones.AMF given orally at 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight once a day consecutively for 6 weeks could recover the reduced cell proliferation,analysis identified the three major isoflavones contained in AMF were ononin, formononetin, and demethylhomopterocarpin(240.).

 11,Astragalus used to treat AIDS:
 AIDS(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) develops from the HIV virus and invades and destroys parts of the immune defences of the body, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/or cancer. The HIV virus is perhaps the most prominent medical example of immune dysfunction and Astragalus may prove very beneficial in helping delay the onset of AIDS through its anti-viral properties. It may also improve immune strength for AIDS sufferers.

 12.Anti-viral activity:
 Anti-viral activity has been reported with the use of astragalus in laboratory and animal studies. Limited human research has examined the use of astragalus for viral infections in the lung, heart (pericarditis), liver (hepatitis B and C), cervix (papilloma virus), and in HIV disease. Studies have included combinations of astragalus with the drug interferon, or as a part of herbal mixtures. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. Due to a lack of well-designed research, no firm conclusions can be drawn.Some experiment identified the anti-viral effects of astragalus on Coxsackie B-3 virus (CB3V) which can cause myocarditis,results suggest Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) is effective in the inhibition of Coxsackie B virus propagation and protection of myocardium in mouse myocarditis(22.),futther study proved significant protective effects were demonstrated when Astragalus Membranaceus was given in the early period of infection. The results suggest that AM should be valuable in preventing and treating acute myocarditis caused by Coxsackie B virus(25.).Astragalus membranaceus also can be used as synergic to interferon therapy to Chronic cervicitis which related to papillomavirus type 16(HPV-16), herpes simplex virus type 2 and cytomegalovirus (CMV)(27.).Some test of Astragalus membranaceus on coxsackie B3 virus RNA in mice showed that Astragalus membranaceus could inhibit the replication of CVB3-RNA, but its effect on CVB3-RNA was not correlated with induction of beta-IFN.Some combinative test on annihilating HSV-1 F strain identified Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Radix Astragali combination could be helpful to be used as a virucide for HSV-1 F strain(83.).Some ointment combined with Astragalus membranaceus(AM) and recombinant human interferon alpha 2b(IFN) has been shown release effective anti-herpes simplex virus activities,as chronic cervicitis is closely related to papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus as well as herpes virus infections,this AM-IFN combinations suggested to be useful in the treatment of cervicitis and the ointment in the treatment of skin herpes(87.).
 Herpes simplex keratitis:Some study on the astragalus root effects treatment of herpes simplex keratitis(HSK),compare to ribavirin group,Astragalus can modulate the imbalance state of serum cytokines Th1(interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon)/Th2(interleukin-4 and interleukin-10) in HSK patients, improve their immune function disturbance, that shows important significance in treating HSK(112.).
 Inhibit Cytomegalovirus (CMV):some recent study find that CMV-AD169 may be inhibited or killed by GCV(ganciclovir) and Astragalus Membranaceus in vitro,Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was greatly common in the world. CMV infection produces usually mild or asymptomatic infections in individuals with normal immune responses, whereas it may cause serious disease in immunosuppressive patients. Clinical manifestations include suppression of myelopoiesis, a mononucleosis like syndrome, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia. In patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation CMV remains the most common infectious causes of morbidity and mortality. But the treatment drugs with specific effect for CMV was fewer at the present(125.).Some experimental study on mice polymicrobial sepsis find that saponin fraction from Astragalus membranaceus roots (SAM) has protective effects on polymicrobial sepsis in mice,the mechanisms of action involve anti-inflammation and upregulation of the PC pathway.SAM, orally administered 1 h before and after CLP, significantly elevated the survival rate of mice. At 96 h after CLP operation, all mice in the model group died, whereas 33.3% of mice in the SAM (400 mg/kg)-treated group survived(263.).

 13.Chemotherapy side effects:
 In Chinese medicine, astragalus-containing herbal mixtures are sometimes used with the intention to reduce side effects of cancer treatments. Due to a lack of well-designed research, a firm conclusion cannot be drawn.

 14.Coronary artery disease:
 In Chinese medicine, herbal mixtures containing astragalus have been used to treat heart diseases. There are several human case reports of reduced symptoms and improved heart function, although these are not well described. High quality human research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn. Some recent study about Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on erythrocyte sodium content and sodium transport in the coronary heart disease(CHD) showed that AM had the effects to increase erythrocyte activity of sodium pump after curable stage of 14 days(35.).Also the ability of Astragalus membranaceus to strengthen the left ventricular function as its cardiotonic action comes major from its anti-OFR effect,including increase the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of red blood cell and reduce the lipid peroxidation (LPO) content of plasma,indicate Astragalus membranaceus (AM) could strengthen the left ventricular function and had an effect of anti-OFR(58.).Astragaloside IV, has been found to have properties of increasing coronary flow and cardioprotection,detailed mechanisms got discussed in related experiment(166.).

 15.Heart failure and Cardiovascular Disease:
 In Chinese medicine, herbal mixtures containing astragalus have been used to treat various heart diseases. There are several human case reports of reduced symptoms and improved heart function, and diuretic ("water pill") effects, although these are not well described. High quality human research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.In treatment test on cardiac patients, the intervention of Astragalus membranaceus Injection got tested and proved to made the duration of VLPs shortened significantly comparative to Mexiletini Hydrochloridum, Lidocaini Hydrochloridum(32.). Some study test shows that a saponins fraction,Astragalus membranaceus saponins (AMS) plays its inotropic role through influencing the Na-K-ATPase,and the effect is dose dependant(50-200 micrograms/ml had a positive inotropic action on the isolated working heart of rats, but in the case of 30 micrograms/ml the inotropic action turned negative.)(40.).Some clinical test process on herbs effect on lipid peroxidation identified that Astragalus membranaceus and Polygonum multiflorum inhibit lipid peroxidation to 50% of control at concentration 2 to 6 mg dried herb/ml mitochondrial suspension,AM showed great inhibition ability which comes 42.1 +/- 3.4% of oxygen consumption and 39.8 +/- 3.2% of MDA production(48.).Some clinical application data showed that on the treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease with Astragalus membranaceus(combined with Nifedipine and Tab. Salviae miltiorrhizae),effective rate of EKG(electrocardiogram) improvement was 82.6%, treatment with Astragalus membranaceus was significantly more effective(57.).Heart congestive failure treatment with herbs Astragalus membranaceus and astragaloside IV injection two weeks,symptoms of chest distress, dispnea in 15 patients was alleviated, their capability of exercise reinforced(64.).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.In some study,four herbs traditionally used for cardiovascular disease has been checked,including Crataegus oxycantha, Terminalia arjuna, Inula racemosa,and Astragalus membranaceus,these has been found to have therapeutic benefit for the treatment of cardiovascular disease(68.).Cardiac complications treatment with glucoside from the root of Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) got discussed in some clinical rat test and believed comes from it Antidotal effect(70.).Some property of Astragalus root such as its improvement of cardiac and renal functions got suggested can be mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of this herb on sodium and water retention in aortocaval fistula-induced heart failure(71.).Spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) study find the astragalus root can effectively increase its baroreflex sensitivity(BRS),blood pressure keep no change of the SHR group which administered with astragalus root compare to the control grroup which increase since the 3rd week,thus suggest Astragalus Membranaceus can promote the BRS in SHR(110.).Rat Cardiac Hypertrophy treatment study find that Zhimu combined with Huangqi can slow down heart rate, enhance the reserve force of the heart, and improve the response capacity of cardiac hypertrophy mice in stimulative condition(115.).Some investigation about myocardial ischemia in vivo and in vitro identified protection of astragaloside IV from myocardial ischemia majorly comes from its potential roles of antioxidative and nitric oxide-inducing properties(156.).Some relative study processed on cardioprotective action identified that DBT treatment protects against oxidant injury in H9c2 cells, and that the cytoprotective action is causally related to the increase in cellular GSH level, which is likely mediated by the enhancement of GSH synthesis and regeneration(189.).In some study about adriamycin (ADR)-injured rat hearts,Astragalus membranaceus are found can improve cardiac function of ADR-injured rat hearts, which was partly mediated by upregulation of SERCA2a expression(265.).

 16.Low white blood cell count:
 Astragalus has been suggested as an immune system stimulant in preliminary laboratory and animal research, and in traditional accounts. There are published reports from China of white blood cell counts increasing during the use of astragalus preparations, although details are limited. Reliable scientific study has not been conducted in this area. High quality human research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 17.Myocarditis/endocarditis (heart infections):
 Anti-viral activity has been reported in laboratory studies and animal models of myocarditis/endocarditis. Human research is limited in this area, and further research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.In a traditional herb recipes for treatment of viral myocarditis,2 weeks oral administration proved patients' chief cardiac functional indexes assessed with STI improved markedly,and this recipe named Kang Er Xin-I (KEX-I) combined with Lonicera japonica, Ophiopogon japonicus, Astragalus membranaceus mainly and possesses the effect of clearing away heat and toxic materials and supplementing the vital energy and nourishing(33.).Some test about Astragalus membranaceus effects on Viral Myocarditis indicated routine therapy combined with AM could significantly enhance OKT3, OKT4 and OKT4/OKT8 ratio in patients,suggest some application in cell immunity in viral myocarditis patients with AM(60.).Some other test on similar subject indicated Astragalus membranaceus can be a rational choice for treatment of viral myocarditis patients and works on viral myocarditis treatment through exert the effects of decreasing the secondary Ca2+ damages,improving the abnormal myocardial electric activity,inhibiting replication of CVB3-RNA in myocardium(62.63.).Some comparative test for treatment of Acute Viral Myocarditis indicates that combination therapy of western and traditional herbs(Astragalus membranaceus) was an effective method than conventional therapy in improving the clinical manifestation(65.).Some studies of ancient recipe DBT(composed of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus) result suggest that the more potent cardioprotective action of BEA may be related to its ability to sustain the myocardial glutathione antioxidant status under conditions of IR-induced oxidative stress, which may possibly in turn result from the synergistic interaction between this recipe and Polygonum multiflorum extract(72.),the recipe DBT traditionally used for stimulating red blood cell production as well as enhancing cardiovascular function.Some recent test on mice found that Astragaloside (AS) is the effective component of Astragalus membranaceus in treating viral myocarditis,the mechanisms for viral myocarditis mice depriving of the myocardial injury may be due to improve the activity of myocardial SERCA in the mice(77.).Some comparative study of Astragalus components(saponins,flavonoids and astragaloside) on cardiac function injured by myocardial ischemia showed that 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,decreased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in the ischemic myocardium. Otherwise,total saponins increased the cAMP content and the total flavonids decreased the level of MDA production in the ischemic myocardium.Suggesting that the root 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(86.),what makes the mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury some clear.Some screening study of herbs for treating viral diseases including viral myocarditis,results showed that Astragalus membranaceus (either as single herb or compound of herbs) showed significantly effects on improving arrhythmia, CPK levels, and cardiac function.Another herb Salviae miltiorrhizae injection showed significant effects on decreasing the arrhythmia and reducing LDH levels(122.).Some other study identified some mechanism of related,it seems Astragalosides have the effects on reducing [Ca2+]i and SR Ca2+ load, enhancing free radical removal and decreasing lipid peroxidation in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes, which might account for their protective effect on myocardial injury(137.),Astragalosides were the main active components from a native Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus.Some study find that the beneficial effects of Astragalus and Perindopril for treating viral myocarditis might be partly mediated by preserving the functions of SERCA 2 activity and ET system.In clinical practice, Astragali Radix (Astragalus), the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, has been widely applied to treat patients with viral diseases, including viral myocarditis in China(164.).Some investigation study suggested the efficacious treatment of astragalosides for myocardial injury might be through regulating intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and energy metabolism(183.).Some investigation on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury suggested the beneficial effect of astragaloside IV on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury may be due to its ability to prevent changes of SERCA2a and Ser(16)-phosphorylated phospholamban protein expression and, thus, may prevent the depression in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport and improve cardiac function(196.).Some mechanism study find the beneficial effect of astragaloside IV in H/R-induced injury may be related to normalization of SR Ca2+ pump expression and, thus, may prevent the depression in SR Ca2+ handling,astragaloside IV, a saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus,has been shown to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury(224.).
 Some relative study on diabetic cardiomyopathic hamsters find that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) can inhibit the local chymase-Ang II system in diabetic cardiomyopathy(213.).Natural products of particular interest in the treatment of viral myocarditis are Astragalus membranaceus and Ardisia chinensis.Myocarditis is a common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. The most common causes of infectious myocarditis are viruses(217.)

 18.Lung protective effects:
 Some clinical study showed that astragalus could inhibit the increase of serum and lung endothelin,thereby playing a protective role in the rats with acute lung injury from endothelin(100.).

 19.Upper respiratory tract infection:
 Astragalus is often used in Chinese medicine as a part of herbal mixtures to prevent or treat upper respiratory tract infections. Anti-viral activity has been reported in laboratory and animal studies, and in limited human reports. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. Due to a lack of well-designed research, no firm conclusions can be drawn.Acute upper digestive tract hemorrhage can be treated with a traditional herbal combination named Wen-She decoction (WSD),with 7 cases treated all cured,Astragalus root is one of the seven herbs used in this recipe(WSD consists of Codonopsis pilosulae, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Zingiber officinale, Os sepiae Halloysitum rubrum and Astragalus membranaceus)(8.).Some rats study find that application of Herba Epimedii and Radix Astragali combination in the attack or remission stage of asthma could restrain the development of inflammation by reducing the production of TNF-alpha and inhibiting NF-kappa B activity(172.).Some relative study on patients with asthma find that Astragalus membranaceus could increase the expression of T-bet mRNA and Thl cytokines such as IFN-Y, and might reverse the Th2 predominant status in asthma patients(193.).
 

 20.Diuretic effect:
 Administered by hypodermic injection to rats, or by IV to dogs under anesthesia, the water decoction of Huang Qi at 0.5g/kg has a significant diuretic effect. The water decoction of Huang Qi at 0.2g/kg also has a diuretic effect on healthy humans.

 21.Effects on the heart and blood vessels:
 Administered to rats with spontaneous hypertension, Huang Qi can control the rise of their blood pressure. Huang Qi can also lower the blood pressure of cats, dogs, and rats under anesthesia. One study has used Huang Qi injection to treat 14 cases of heart failure due to qi deficiency, and reported increases in cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke output, and stroke index. Experiments on animals further show that Huang Qi has a positive cardiac effect, it can effectively protect the activity of 5'-necliotidase, increase coronary blood flow, decrease coronary circulation resistance and troponin-T release, and generally help with postmyocardial infarction recovery.
 Increase the microvascular permeability:Some recent study on microvascular permeability induced by histamine in pial microvessels showed that a component from astragalus root(satragaloside IV) can inhibit the increases in the microvascular permeability induced by histamine,concentration of inhibiting is about 0.8 x 10(-4) mol.L-1 satragaloside IV in superfusate(97.).Some study about angiogenesis effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis showed that 5:1 ratio have certain promotive effect on the formation of capillary,or better effects were obtained in the formation of capillary and the count of blood vessel in groups treated by Astragalus memhranaceus and Angelica sinensis in the ratio of five to one,which is just the recipe share of a traditional recipe named Danggui Buxue Decoction(111.).Some study find that the vasodilatation of A. membranaceus aqueous ethanol extract comes from nitric oxide signaling and Ca(2+)-handling pathway and shows a Diphasic effects(144.). Uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to intimal hyperplasia during atherosclerosis and restenosis,some recent study find that a components named Astrapterocarpan isolated from Astragalus membranaceus inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells,results indicated that astrapterocarpan inhibits PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and that this effect may be mediated at least in partially by inhibition of the ERK1/2 MAP kinase cascade(150.).Some new study find that a component of Astragalus root,calycosin,is a vasorelaxant,its action is endothelium-independent and is unrelated to intracellular Ca(2+) release,the study demonstrated a novel pharmacological activity of calycosin, and supplied a theoretic foundation for Astragali Radix application(169.).Some relative study on acute phase endothelial dysfunction induced by homocysteine find that AM(Astragalus membranaceus) and ASP(astragalus polysaccharide), potently protected endothelium-dependent relaxation against the acute injury from Hcy through nitric oxide regulatory pathways, in which antioxidation played a key role(185.).Some study process on vessel contraction suggested astragaloside IV inhibited vessel contraction through blocking calcium influx and intracellular calcium release,for the mechanisms the endothelium-dependent vessel dilation of astragaloside IV was attributed mainly to the endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP pathway(195.).Some antiatherosclerotic study of related find Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) could protect ABCA1(ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) against the lesion of TNF-alpha in THP-1 derived foam cells, which may contribute to its antiatherosclerotic properties.For the background scene,Recent evidence shows that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) can down-regulate the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), which plays a vital role in reverse cholesterol transport and determines the process of atherosclerosis.Astragalus membranaceus, has been reported to benefit the treatment of immune-inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders. In atherosclerotic plaques, proinflammatory cytokines exert adverse effects on lipids thereby aggravating atherosclerosis(267.).

 22.Ant-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects:capillary permeability and management of skin pathologies involving chronic inflammation,allergic diseases treatment.
 Experiments show that Huang Qi has a protective effect on virus-infected cells, can counteract carrageenin-induced swelling in mice's hind feet, and inhibit increase in rats' capillary permeability induced by histamine and 5-HT. Some recent published research showed that anti-inflammatory potential in vivo of astragalus saponin astragaloside IV (a 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylcycloastragenol) may come from the under-lying mechanism of the ability to inhibit the NF-kappaB pathway(102.).
 In some topical inflammations test aimed for screening herbs aimed to treat topical inflammations, inhibitory effect got evaluated on lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase and elastase activity in intact leukocytes and platelets. The herb Astragalus membranaceus, Forsythia suspensa and Poria cocos inhibited 5-lipoxygenase(with IC50 values of 141, 80 and 141 microg mL(-1), respectively), Forsythia suspensa,Poria cocos,togethor with Angelica dahurica and Angelica pubescens, also inhibited elastase (IC50 values of 80, 123, 68 and 93 microg mL(-1), respectively),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. P.cocos isolated components Dehydrotumulosic and pachymic acids shown to inhibit leukotriene B(4) release,indicate that both P. cocos and F. suspensa are potentially valuable species in the management of skin pathologies involving chronic inflammation(103.). Some study suggested Astragali Radix has an anti-inflammatory effect that is mediated by the MKP-1-dependent inactivation of p38 and Erk1/2 and inhibition of NFkappaB-mediated transcription. These results imply that the AR herb has a potential anti-inflammatory activity.Astragalus root is widely used in oriental medicine for tonifying the immune response and improving circulation(212.).
 Some related study about DNFB-induced dermatitis test in mice suggested that Astragalus membranaceus may suppress the development of AD-like dermatitis in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice by reducing IFN-gamma production.Astragalus membranaceus (AM), is a popular herbal medicine used to treat allergic diseases in East Asia(206.).Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) was found useful in treating allergic diseases,has a potential role in treating allergic asthma,Asthma is recognized as a common pulmonary disease throughout the world(220.).Some study indicate that astragaloside IV may mitigate the development of characteristic features in chronic experimental asthma,Astragaloside IV, a new cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside extract of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge(233.).In some study about Astragalus membranaceus (AM) in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR),revealed a significant number of positive signals indicating the therapeutic effectiveness of the herbal and mineral complex contains Astragalus membranaceus in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR)(261.).

 23.Effects on the circulatory system:
 Huang Qi has a corrective and stimulatory effect on the transformability of pathologically defective or damaged red blood cells. For red blood cells that have been incubated in vitro for a extended period of time, Huang Qi can help retain their transformability.Some test study identified that Astragalus-Salvia compound can be used to treat the insufficient placental blood supply caused diseases such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome,its mechanism may come from improving VEGF mRNA expression in placental trophocyte and vascular endothelial cell in early pregnancy, and thus be favorable for placental vascular net formation, trophocyte infiltration and mother-placental circulation constitution(141.).

 24.Anti-aging and anti-stress effects:
 Huang Qi can improve the memory of aged mice, enhance the activity of cerebral and liver tissue SOD, and decrease the liver MDA level. Fed to mice at the dosage of 50g/kg, the water decoction of Huang Qi can increase the oxyproline hydroxyproline level in skin tissue, increase the weight of adrenal glands, and improve their tolerance of oxygen deprivation.Some study about DNA repair ability in human fetal lung diploid fibroblast cells proposed that two isomers of HDTIC compounds from Astragali Radix can brings reduction of DNA damage and the improvement of DNA repair ability(276.).Some related study proposed administration of Astragalus Membranaceus improved spatial learning and memory and reduced stress-induced anxiety. Thus, the present results suggest that AM is able to recover behavioral and neurochemical impairments induced by stress(278.).

 25.Anti-neoplastic effect:
 Huang Qi can significantly improve the immunity of mice with solid tumor.Furthermore, Huang Qi has an anti-neoplastic effect on GNM cells, promotes the proliferation of thymocytes in mice with tumors, and inhibits S180 solid tumors.

 26.Digestive tract effect:and Colitis treatment
 Recent studies about Astragalus membranaceus process on invigoration of vital energy checked and indicated that Astragalus membranaceus could strengthen the movement and muscle tonus in intestine (esp. in jejunum) and serve as evidences to elucidate the effects of AM on the movements in digestive tracts(47.).Some study identified that oral and locally administered Astragalus root extract possess protective effects against experimental colitis through differential modulation of colonic cytokines. This study provides important new insights that may contribute to further development of Astragalus root extract as a novel therapeutic agent for treating colitis diseases(262.).

 27.Inhibit platelet aggregation (PAG):
 Studies about Astragalus membranaceus recipes(combines with Coptis chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis)could inhibit platelet aggregation (PAG) induced by ADP in rats or by ADP and ADR in vivo,4 weeks administration brings effective rate effective rate was 88.7%(61.).

 28.Antioxidative effects:
 Study on astragalus root treatment of neurop patients with abnormal sensations and neuropathic pain of the legs showed that it release inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification by copper,proved that Astragali Radix has inhibitory effects on oxidative stress induced by metal,its free radical scavengers effects similar as or stronger than mannitol and superoxide(74.).Some relative study processed on cardioprotective action identified that DBT treatment protects against oxidant injury in H9c2 cells, and that the cytoprotective action is causally related to the increase in cellular GSH level, which is likely mediated by the enhancement of GSH synthesis and regeneration(189.).

 29.Growth hormone release inducer:
 Some recent mice test about the subject of astragalus root boosting the growth hormone,the result seems showed that 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(88.).

 30.Improving blood deficiency and hematopenia:
 Traditional recipe Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue decoction(composed of astragalus root and angelica root) got used on improving blood deficiency,extracts and some components of this recipe can promote the hemopoietic function system of the model mice,and they exert the effects in a comprehensive way,remarkably increased the quantity of RBC, WBC, and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC)(96.).Some investigation on the hematopoiesis test of mice find that astragalus injection can lesson apoptosis of bone marrow cells and promote hematopoietic progenitor cells to differentiate along the erythroid and megakaryocytoid line by up-regulating expression of antiapoptosis protein BcL-XL of BMC(155.).Anemia is a common cause of morbidity and disease and reduces the quality of life.Some combination study find that Astragali radix (AMW) and Angelicae radix (AGW) enhanced EPO mRNA expression in the CYP-induced anemic rat and improved the hematological parameters and vitamin B(12) status,combination group treatment enhance blood cell numbers compared to the control group(266.).

 31.Prevents bone loss and Osteogenesis ability:
 Some clinical study on Astragalus membranaceus extract are found can inhibite tibia and lumbar bone loss and did not cause uterine hypertrophy, 1-monolinolein, the main ingredient of the herbal extract, seems did not inhibit bone loss(105.).The OVX(ovariectomized) rats administered F1 (2 mg/kg/day and 10 mg/kg/day) showed an increase in TBA of the tibia significantly (136.3 +/- 4.2% and 138.5 +/- 10.3% of control).Some other study on bone marrow stromal cells identified that Icariin and Astragealosid I can accelerate the proliferation and ALP excretion of BMSCs. At the same time, the osteogenesis ability of these cells is greatly improved,test and apply concentration detailed in the study related(191.).Some related topic study about marrow stromal cells (MSCs)tissue find that technology of tissue engineering with astragalus polysaceharides(AP)/on chitosan polylactic acid(C/PLA) scaffolds and induced MSCs may contribute to periodontal regeneration(207.).

 32.Neuroprotective effect and stroke:
 Astragalus membranaceus is a herbal medicine that has been used clinically in stroke patients in China for decades,some study suggested anti-infarction effect by Astragaloside IV (at dosage 20 or 40 mg/kg) may be derived at least in part from its antioxidant properties,and showed a neuroprotective effect of Astragaloside IV in the model of ischemic brain injury(117.),give some explain for the application of stroke treatment.Some study find that Astragulus membraneaceus has a strong protective effect on neuronal damage in the immature rat hippocampus, which is ralated reducing caspase-3 expression(129.).Some further study suggested thatRadix Astragali shows markedly neuron protection in immature brain cortex after HIBD, which is related with the inhibition on caspase-3 expression,prove data such as after being treated by RA, the neuron death rate of ligated side was obviously reduced, caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression peak value decreased by 45% (mRNA) and 40% - 43% (protein)(135.).Some study about regeneration of neurites and the reconstruction of synapses even in severely damaged neurons candidate find that Astragalus mongholicus is an important candidate for the treatment of memory disorders and the main active constituents may not be the known astragalosides. Neurons with atrophic neurites may remain alive and therefore may have the potential to regenerate even when neuronal death has occurred in some parts of the brain(173.).Some related peripheral nerve regeneration study find Astragalus membranaceus extract can be a potential nerve growth-promoting factor, being salutary in aiding the growth of axons in the peripheral nerve(186.).

 33.Hypoxia brain injury prevention:
 Some study about Rhodiola-astragalus membranaceus mixture and its protective effects against brain damage during hypoxia under simulated plateau environment on rats proposed that this mixture has preventive effects on hypoxic damage induced by simulated plateau environment. This prevention may be related to the antagonistic effect on membrane lipid peroxidation and the inhibition on the accumulation of lactic acid in brain tissue and serum(147.).

 34.Anti-mutagenesis effects:
 Some study identified and proved total flavonoids of Astragalus has antimutagenesis effect(128.).

 35.Estrogenic relative potency and menopausal symptoms management:
 Some screening study find that Astragalus membranaceus shows certain estrogenic relative potency (RP)(8.47 x 10(-5)),same study find 11 species herbs from 34 traditional chinese herbs for the purpose efficacy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms,the findings are "Polygonum cuspidatum had the highest estrogenic relative potency (RP) (3.28 x 10(-3)), followed by Rheumpalmatum (3.85 x 10(-4)), Cassia obtusifolia (3.49 x 10(-4)), Polygonum multiflorum (2.87 x 10(-4)), Epimedium brevicornum (2.30 x 10(-4)), Psoralea corylifolia (1.90 x 10(-4)), Cynomorium songaricum (1.78 x 10(-4)), Belamcanda chinensis (1.26 x 10(-4)), Scutellaria baicalensis (8.77 x 10(-5)), Astragalus membranaceus (8.47 x 10(-5)) and Pueraria lobata (6.17 x 10(-5))"(136.),this suggest some useful reference for hormone replacement therapy,and this test of estrogenic activity for the herbs got prepared via method of 70% EtOH extracts.

 36.Smoking cessation and antioxidative:
 Some screening study about antioxidant activity and nicotine degradation activity (NDA) in vitro identified Eugenia aromaticum and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 30.0 microg/mL) and NDA (1.81), respectively.Togethor with other 9 herbs,a medicinal herb tea got tested and find Human groups taking this tea for 4 weeks underwent reduced smoking withdrawal symptoms, 38% of subjects taking this tea succeeded in smoking cessation(138.).

 37.Protective intestinal mucosa reperfusion injury,treatment of Colitis:
 Some study about protective effects of astragalus on intestinal mucosa reperfusion injury find that high dose Astragalus membranaeus has much better protective effect on hemorrhagic shock-reperfusion injury of intestinal mucosa than low dose Astragalus membranaceus. The mechanism may be that Astragalus membranaceus can improve antioxidative effect and regulate NO/ET level during hemorrhagic reperfusion(145.).For the related,some experiment find Astragalus membranaceus possesses both preventive and therapeutic potential in experimental colitis,for the mechanism,the anti-inflammatory actions involve anti-oxidation along with inhibition of adhesion molecule synthesis in the colonic tissues(148.).

 38.Recurrent tonsillitis (RT) treatment:
 Some study identified that astragalus membranacus(AM) can improve TH1 cell subset function and therefore shows an important significance in treating RT(180.).

 39.Metabolic Syndrome:
 Some related test suggested Astragalus polysaccharides(APS) has potential in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.APS can promote the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, enhance the accumulation of lipid drops, and increase the terminal differentiation of preadipocytes, which may be associated with its effects in increasing the expressions of PPAR gamma and C/EBP alpha mRNAs and proteins(200.).

 40.Anti-fibrosis effect and protect liver:
 Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza Extract (ASE) has a protective effect against liver fibrosis,some study related suggested this recipe's anti-fibrosis effect in chronically injured liver was exerted by inhibiting TGF-beta/Smads signal transduction(228.).

 41.Identification study of the DBT(Danggui Buxue Tang) and some property:
 Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese medicinal decoction that is commonly used as a dietary supplement in treating woman with menopausal irregularity,by using the biological effects of DBT in stimulating osteoblast proliferation, estrogen promoter activation, and anti-platelet aggregation activity, the drug ratio of 5:1 produced the best effects. The use of ethanol-treated Radix Angelicae Sinensis enhanced the efficacy of DBT, and the treatment further increased the solubilities of chemical constituents(161.).Some study related identified 5:1 ratio of DBT which the ancient formulation of DBT has been optimized in stimulating immune responses,three index got from result of related test:1. In cultured T-lymphocytes, DBT induced markedly cell proliferation,2.secretion of interleukin-2 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase.3. In addition, the phagocytosis of cultured macrophages was increased by DBT treatments(171.).Some study on menopausal symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women suggested overall no significant difference between Dang Gui Buxue Tang and placebo in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women. The frequency of mild, moderate and severe hot flushes decreased in both treatment and placebo groups, but Dang Gui Buxue Tang was statistically superior to placebo only in the treatment of mild hot flushes. There were no serious adverse events attributable to treatment during the study period(230.).

 42.Bird and Animal Applications:potential natural prebiotic effects and its commercial values.
 Some study test find that herb extracts from Astragalus root and some others(Lentinus edodes extract (LenE), Tremella fuciformis extract, and Astragalus membranaceus Radix extract) may have similar effects to release potential prebiotic effects and can be a substitute for antibiotic Apramycin (APR) in terms of a dose-response study,these extracts are found to stimulated the number of the potentially beneficial bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli), while reducing the number of the potentially harmful bacteria (Bacteroides spp. and Escherichia coli)(108.,also some other study focus on anti-microbial effects of some herbs116.),some other study on similar topics find that mushroom and herb extracts resulted in enhancement of both cellular and humoral immune responses in E. tenella-infected chickens(123.),Some related study about Astragalus beta-glucanand lipopolysaccharide for deployed on weanling pigs to see performance, immunological, adrenal, and somatotropic responses,a high dosage(500 mg/kg) seems works(149.). Some application of astragalus in carp find that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) shows its effect on cytokines and immune-related gene expression in different organs of common carp,For fish immune defences, cytokines and anti-microbial peptides (lysozyme) in circulating system play important roles(215.).Potential in vitro immunostimulatory effects of Astralagus membranaceus polysaccharides (APS) on sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)(219.),Other similar study focus on immunostimulatory effect of oral administration of different preparations (conventional fine powder [CP] and superfine powder [SP]) of Astragalus membranaceus root or its polysaccharides (APS) in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) find dietary intake containing A. membranaceus root or its polysaccharides could enhance the immune responses of A. japonicus and improve its resistance to infection by V. splendidus(272.).Some very interesting test result from these studies suggested that these herb derived polysaccharides will have value and interests to be applied in the bird food and medicine industry.Prebiotics works to change the condition of bird intestines to help boost the growth of good bacteria and terminate the harmful micro organisms,many prebiotics can attack danderous micro organisms in the intestines effectively(For example,a product for bird named BioPlus use garlic extracts as its components),some advanced bird supply company are applying prebiotics and some immuno-stimmultants in breeding products(such as a product named Feast and ProBoost SuperMax) to help chickens and baby bird grow healthly,results seems very satisfying and surprising,and these contents already got applied in other products designed for sick bird,such as some product named Poly-Aid and PDD Food,actually there are very large potentiality for natural herb with prebiotic effects to be used in bird health products and other products for animals.

 43.Other unclassified findings:
 Some other study got find Astragalus membranaceus Extraction (AE) can provide protection for human fetal hepatocytes in cryopreservation, and the best performance concentration level of its is 60 mg/L(227.).Some study about anti-toxoplasma proposed Human vaccines are not available and current anti-toxoplasma treatment is disappointing,test result showed that the protective immunity of UV-attenuated T. gondii could be markedly enhanced by Astragalus membranaceus Extracts (Am) and Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI Extracts(Sb) co-administration,which suggests that both AmE and SbE may have the potential to be used as effective vaccine adjuvant(279.).Some other study proposed Astragalus membranaceus (AM) can correct the immunologic dysfunction of HSP(Henoch-Schonlein purpura) children in the acute phase through increasing the IL-12, and decreasing the IL-10 and IL-18 secretions of PBMCs(Peripheral blood mononuclear cells)(282.).Some other obese rat study find that Astragalus membranaceus (AM) can improve endothelial dysfunction in obese rats, and the mechanism involves improved insulin resistance and increased endothelium-derived NO productor function,6-week AM treatment significantly reduced the fat tissue due to high-fat diet(285.).

 Reference:

 1.What is Astragalus?what is function of Astragalus?

last edit date:25th,Feb.2010.

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