Astragalus, also Tragacanth Boxthorn or Huang Qi named is a legume from the legume family Legumes (Fabaceae) and has been valued for various applications in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for millennia.

Among the approximately 3000 Astragalus species The most striking feature is the Mongolian milkvetch (Astragalus membranaceus) out of here. Astragalus membranaceus It was originally native only to northern China and Mongolia, but today it inhabits large parts of the northern hemisphere. It spread via the Arabian Peninsula. Astragalus membranaceus Finally, it began its triumphant march to Europe, where the herbalist Hildegard von Bingen, who lived in the 12th century, also took a liking to the effects of the tragacanth root under the German name "Bocksdorn".

Normally, one waits until the plants of the Astragalus membranaceus They are four or five years old before being harvested for medicinal purposes. For the use of the Roots containing large amounts of The plants, which contain active ingredients, are pulled up. Then the roots are cut into strips and then... dried.

Mature astragalus roots are fascinating due to their diverse range of interesting components. Of particular value is the specific mix of... secondary plant compounds – above all, astragalosides. These are special saponins (foaming bitter substances) that occur exclusively in astragalus roots and to which special effects are attributed.

Astragaloside IV is a saponin from the root of the astragalus plant, where it occurs in minute quantities. An extremely complex and costly process allows it to be extracted and concentrated to obtain an active amount. Commercially available products, such as astragalus powder or extract, contain no detectable or relevant amount of astragaloside IV.

Astragaloside IV has been the most frequently studied compound. These studies suggest the following effects of astragalus root and astragaloside IV:

1. Cardiovascular system

• Cardiac protection in myocardial ischemia: Astragaloside IV demonstrated a cardioprotective effect in myocardial ischemia in studies both in vivo and in vitro.
• Improvement of heart function: In patients with congestive heart failure, treatment with astragaloside IV over two weeks led to a significant reduction in heart rate from an average of 88 to 64 beats per minute, as well as a relief of chest pain and breathing difficulties.

· Astragalus root inhibited lipid peroxidation by 40% in vitro. This property partially explains the cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects of astragaloside IV.

2. Immunomodulation

• Strengthening the immune system: Astragaloside IV can promote specific and non-specific immunity, increase the body's resistance to disease, and improve antibody production.Specifically, the following effect on the immune system was observed:
• the increase in stem cells in the spinal cord and lymphatic tissues
• the stimulation of the production of immunoglobulins and macrophages
• the promotion of the activation of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells
  
  

3. Anti-aging effects

· One of the factors most strongly involved in aging processes is the decrease in the activity of the enzyme. TelomeraseAstragaloside IV can stimulate this enzyme and thus increase the number of telomeres. It activates telomerase and therefore prevents premature shortening of the telomeres. This alleviates cellular aging and its negative effects on the organism.

4. Anti-inflammatory properties

• Inhibition of inflammatory mediators: Astragaloside IV suppresses the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and thus exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties.
• For example, in mice, it was found that the ability of astragaloside IV to reduce the progression of inflammation in the airways in cases of chronic asthma.
  
  

5. Antiviral and antibacterial effect

• Inhibition of viral infections: Astragaloside IV stimulates the function of macrophages and T cells, promotes the production of interleukin and enables the production of endogenous interferon to achieve antiviral effects.
• Astragaloside IV inhibits the replication of certain viruses, such as Coxsackie viruses, which are responsible for myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). In both animals and humans, they induce the endogenous production of interferon and enhance its activity against viral infections.
• In vitro, the antibacterial effect of Astragalus IV on the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Diplococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated.
  
  
  
  

6. Supporting kidney function

• Improvement of kidney function: Astragaloside IV can improve kidney function and helps eliminate excess fluid, which helps support normal bladder function and urine flow.

· Astragalus root inhibited lipid peroxidation by 40% in vitro. This property partially explains the cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects of astragaloside IV.

7. Inhibition of AGE formation

· Astragaloside IV inhibits the formation of AGEs (Advanced Glycation Endproducts), which are the cause of many diseases and aging processes.

8.Nerve protection

· Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses extract from astragalus root to treat neurodegenerative diseases. One study has demonstrated the ability of astragaloside IV to protect dopaminergic neurons (the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is the origin of Parkinson's disease).

9. Hay fever && Allergies

· A study with 48 hay fever patients demonstrated that astragalus root does indeed have anti-allergic effects. In this study, adults with allergic rhinitis took a preparation containing astragalus root for six weeks during the pollen season. Astragalus membranaceusRoot extract was used as the key ingredient. It was shown that taking the extract led to a reduction in allergic rhinitis, sneezing, and itching, while those affected regained a better quality of life.

· If using astragalus root extract as a natural remedy for allergies, it should be taken several weeks before the allergy season (z.BTreatment should begin (during the pollen season) and continue throughout the entire symptom period.

Sources:

Shen, M. et al. 2022. Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Allergic Rhinitis in Children under Data Mining. Comput Math Methods Med. 2022 Jun 1;2022:7007370. doi: 10.1155/2022/7007370. eCollection 2022.

Yu, S. et al. 2022. Research progress of astragaloside IV in the treatment of atopic diseases. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Dec;156:113989. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113989. Epub 2022 Nov 8.

Qi, Y. et al. 2017. Anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory activities of astragalosides. Am J Chin Med. 45(6):1157–67.

Li, C.-X. et al. 2022. Astragalus polysaccharide: a review of its immunomodulatory effect. Arch Pharm Res. 2022 Jun;45(6):367-389. doi: 10.1007/s12272-022-01393-3. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Wan, CP et al. 2013. Astragaloside II triggers T cell activation through regulation of CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase activity. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 34(4):522–30.

Matkovic, Z. et al. 2010. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):175-81. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2877.

Zhang, C. et al. 2016. Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Peripheral Blood Th17 in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2016 Nov;36(11):1364-1368.

Matkovic, Z. et al.2010. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):175-81. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2877.