| Astragalus(Astragalus membranaceous)rating: | | | | astragalus increases serum IgM, IgE, and cAMP; |
| The astragalus species that is obtained from China is | | | | enhances left ventricular function and cardiac output |
| A. membranaceous, also known as Mongolian milk | | | | in patients with angina pectoris; improves hemorrhagic |
| vetch, or by its Chinese name, huang qi. It is quite | | | | indices in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus; |
| different from other species of Astragalus, known as | | | | increases survival in lung cancer when combined with |
| locoweeds, which contain large amounts of selenium | | | | conventional therapy; improves leukopenia; |
| and other potential toxins, and from the Middle | | | | improves liver function in chronic viral hepatitis; |
| Eastern plant, A. gummifer, which is the source of | | | | and so on |
| gum tragacanth. | | | | However, none of these reports are evaluable, and |
| Uses and Benefits: | | | | the testing applied as well as the observations made |
| In Chinese traditional medicine, the root of A. | | | | by investigators do not conform to standard |
| membranaceous is a popular and potent tonic used | | | | methods used in Western medicine. In general, these |
| for numerous specific indications, especially infections. | | | | studies were uncontrolled or unblinded, and no reliable |
| It is thought to improve depressed immunity, and | | | | clinical studies in support of these indications have |
| therefore it has been recommended for the | | | | been reported in the English-language peer-reviewed |
| treatment of AIDS and other viral diseases, and as | | | | literature. Thus, there is only very equivocal evidence |
| an adjuvant in cancer therapy. The herb is now | | | | to support the numerous clinical claims that are made |
| advocated for a wide variety of illnesses, including | | | | for astragalus, particularly as an immune system |
| the common cold, influenza, respiratory insufficiency, | | | | restorative or as an immune modulator for use in the |
| diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, cardiac ischemia, | | | | treatment of cancer. |
| heart failure, vascular insufficiency, and nephritis. | | | | Adverse Effects: |
| Pharmacology: | | | | Herbalists regard astragalus as very safe based on its |
| The important constituents include numerous | | | | reputation as a valued traditional medication. It is |
| triterpene saponins, known as astragalosides and | | | | unlikely that astragalus has any serious toxicity, |
| related compounds such as soyasaponins. A number | | | | although there is a lack of reliable clinical data. |
| of polysaccharides, such as astragalans I-IV, have | | | | Side Effects and Interactions: |
| been isolated. Important flavonoids include quercetin | | | | There are no recognized drug interactions. |
| and kaempferol; among its many other constituents | | | | Cautions: |
| are isoflavonoids, sugars, amino acids, and linoleic acid. | | | | Astragalus can be obtained in combination mixtures, in |
| It is unclear which of the numerous constituents are | | | | which other agents may have a potential for toxicity. |
| of therapeutic value. However, the polysaccharides | | | | Preparations & Doses: |
| and saponins have been suggested to be the major | | | | Sliced astragalus root is often used to make teas, |
| agents. | | | | soups, or decoctions. The usual daily dose varies |
| The polysaccharide fractions of the root extract | | | | from 2 to 30 g or more of the dried root; although |
| have been reported to have in vitro effects that | | | | large doses appear to be safe, 8-15 g/day seems to |
| suggest an immune-enhancing capability. There is | | | | be more reasonable. Some products contain |
| some evidence that astragalus can potentiate the | | | | standardized extracts, packaged in unit doses. |
| effect of interferon against viruses and can increase | | | | Capsules containing 150-500 mg are commonly |
| IgA and IgM in nasal secretions in humans. Animal | | | | marketed, to be taken as often as 8 or 9 times a |
| experiments have shown that extracts of astragalus | | | | day; tinctures and fluid extracts are also available. In |
| can restore the immune properties of cancer patient | | | | traditional Chinese medicine, it is usual to take |
| T-cells in vitro. A more recent rat study does not | | | | astragalus in combination with other herbs. |
| confirm earlier reports that astragalus extract can | | | | Summary Evaluation |
| prevent myelosuppression by cyclophosphamide. | | | | A membranaceous is a popular Chinese herb that has |
| Clinical Trials: | | | | long been used as a tonic. Increasing claims suggest |
| Almost all of the clinical studies on astragalus are in | | | | that it is of value as an immune restorative to fight |
| Chinese medical books or journals and are therefore | | | | viral diseases, as a treatment for Lancer, and as a |
| not readily evaluated. In an open study on 1000 | | | | cure for other disorders. However, the scientific |
| subjects, 8 it is alleged that a 2-month prophylactic | | | | evidence of clinical effectiveness is of unclear quality, |
| course of the herb in a dosage of 8 g/day in | | | | and has not been validated outside the Asian |
| combination with interferon was correlated with a | | | | literature. Thus, actual benefits are not substantiated. |
| significant reduction in colds compared to placebo or | | | | The fact that large doses can be taken with |
| interferon alone. Benefits in humans for a wide | | | | reported toxicity suggests that astragalus has minimal |
| variety of chronic and serious disorders also | | | | pharmacologic potency. |
| have been reported. For example, it is asserted that | | | | |