Astragalus membranaceus
Botanical Description & Habitat
Astragalus membranaceous
Family
Leguminosae
Habitat
Chinese areas
Medicinal Parts
Roots
Historical Properties & Uses
Astragalus is a classic Chinese herb, used in several herbal formulas that impact on some of the body's most important systems. Astragalus is most often combined with ginseng, the latter being a yang substance said to promote the body's aggressive energy, while the former is used to strengthen the defensive energy of the body.
Astragalus is also often combined with Chinese red sage, licorice, codonopsis, shizandra and atractylodes, a regular who's of major Chinese herbs.
As indicated above, the main uses of astragalus are to strengthen the defenses of the body, specifically interferon. This can involve the immune system, the cardiovascular system, or the glandular/hormonal systems.
Astragalus is recommend both to prevent and treat virtually any disease that involves one of those three major systems, that is, for all immune system breakdowns, including colds, fevers, infections, AIDS, etc., all cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, vascular degeneration and congestion, and all glandular/hormonal problems, including liver, kidney, spleen and adrenal gland problems.
Method of Action
Astragalus in Chinese Medicine
There is considerable research in Chinese journals demonstrating the Chinese formulas containing astragalus as one of the two or three major herbs does what it is supposed to do.
This can be viewed as validation of the efficacy of Chinese formulas, but does very little to unravel the mode of action of astragalus itself. For what it's worth, this research has shown astragalus-containing formulas have effectively treated chronic active hepatitis, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, and other conditions.
Some of these formulas contain more than a dozen different herbs. The therapeutic effect may be the result of the action of one, two, three or more, it may involve interactions, synergisms, meliorating effects, and so forth. At this point in time, it is impossible to know for sure. The patient probably doesn't care.
Astragalus has Hypotensive Action
Astragalus has been shown to have a distinct hypotensive action probably due to the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid in its roots. This acid may also be responsible for the vasodilating, antiadrenergic, diuretic and somnolescent effects of the herb.
Astragalus is Anti-inflammatory
Research has also discovered an anti-inflammatory principle in astragalus-saponin. It effectively countered the effects of histamine, thereby providing some support for the supposed immune enhancing action of the plant.
Anabolic Action of Astragalus
Another indication of astragalus anabolic effects on the immune system was a study finding astragalus saponin induced rapid accumulation of cyclic AMP in rabbit plasma when injected i.e., and enhance DNA synthesis in the liver.
Astragalus has Anti-histamine Action
In a routine pharmacological screening trial, astragalus saponins, given i.v., inhibited the increase in vascular permeability caused by serotonin and histamine.
Administered orally, they reduced carrageenan-induced edema in rats; administered i.v., it lowered blood pressure and reduced the resistance of the peripheral vascular bed.
Other Medicinal Properties of Astragalus
Studies done under the direction of the Jiangsu College of Medicine in China have found the following medicinal properties in astragalus:
1. Cardiovascular: injected i.v. into animals significantly lowered blood pressure, due to vasodilation.
2. Urinary: a significant and prolonged diuretic effect when injected s.c. in rats and i.v. in dogs, and taken orally by humans.
3. Renal: significant inhibition of proteinuria in rats with experimental glomerulonephritis, at high doses.
4. Endurance: mice fed Astragalus for three weeks showed significant improvement in endurance tests, as well as increase weight gain compared to controls.
5. Hepatic: feeding mice astragalus for nine days was able to protect glycogen storage levels.
6. Endocrine: contradictory reports on whether or not astragalus has an effect on blood glucose.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Astragalus insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
Possible Interactions
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
Veratrum alkaloids may potentiate the activity of this herb (up to 50%).
Additive effects may occur between the hypotensive property of this herb and dopamine receptor agonists such as bromocriptine mesylate.
Astragalus should be used with caution in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
The hypotensive effect of this herb may be potentiated by anoretic drugs such as fenfluramine whose effects are mediated by brainstem serotonin, and may be additive with the analgesics nalbuphine HCl and propoxyphene HCl.
The antiinflammatory activity of this herb can be seriously inhibited by phenobarbital and certain other sedatives and hypnotics (chloral hydrate, meprobamate, etc.), as well as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as propranolol.
Colchicine may increase sensitivity or enhance the response to astragalus. Astragalus and sparteine may have synergistic oxytocic activity.
Cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics may sensitize the myocardium to the cardiotonic effects of this herb, though the chances are very few of this happening. Astragalus is synergistic with parenteral calcium salts, pancuronium, succinylcholine, rauwolfia alkaloids, ephedrine, epinephrine, and other adrenergic agents.
The inotropic action of this herb may be reduced by propranolol, but the effects of the two substances on av are additive.
Comments
The hypotensive property of this herb may be additive with the CNS depressant activity of the analgesic nalbuphine HCl. The same is true of the analgesic propoxyphene HCl.
Due to hypotensive principles, it would be wise to avoid using astragalus with procarbazine antineoplastic agents, to eliminate the chance of CNS depression.
There is evidence combining bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the '-static' variety. How this finding applies to herbal antibiotics is not known.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Astragalus is a very safe herb. Even very large doses have not produced toxicity in animals and humans.
Preparation & Administration
Spread over course of one day
Infusion
9-30 grams of dried root. More may be used for acute conditions such as painful obstruction or paralysis
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
An Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Substances (Ahong Yao Da Ci Dian), Jiansu College of New Medicine, 1977, made available for English readers by Bensky, D. & Gamble, A. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, 1986.
Guo, Q. et al: Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Ca2+ influx and coxsackie virus B3 RNA replication in cultured neonatal rat heart cells. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 1995, 15(8): 483 - 485.
Hikino, H., S. Funayama, & K. Endo. Hypotensive principle of astragalus and hedysarum roots. Planta Medica, 30(4), 297- 302, 1976.
Lei, Z.Y. et al: Action of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular function of angina pectoris. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 1994, 14(4): 199 - 202.
Li, G. Discussion about myasthenia gravis and spleen-kidney theory. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 8(1), 48-51, 1986.
Liang, H. et al: Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides and ginsenosides of Ginseng stems and leaves on lymphocytes membrane fluidity and lipid peroxidation in traumatized mice. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih. 1995, 20(9): 558 - 560.
Liang, R. & Liu, W. Clinical study on braincalming tablets in treating 450 cases of atherosclerosis. J of the North Chinese Medicine, 1, 1985.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Peng, T. et al: The inhibitory effect of astragalus membranaceus on coxsackie B-3 virus RNA replication. Chinese Medical Sci. J. 1995, 10(3): 146 - 150.
Xiao, S., et. al. Hyperthyroidism treated with yiqiyangyin decoction. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 6(2), 79-82, 1986.
Xie, Y., et. al. 240 cases of insomnia treated by activating circulation and eliminating blood stasis. Bulletin of Chinese Materia Medica, 11(5), 58-60, 1986.
Xu, Y. & Wei, L.: Chemical constituents of Astragalus chinensis L. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih. 1995, 20(5): 296 - 297, 320.
Xu, Y. & Wei, L.: Determination of di-alpha-phosphatidylcholine in the seeds of Astragalus chinensis L. by TLC-scanning. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih. 1995, 20(10): 615 - 616, 640.
Weng, X.S.: Treatment of leucopenia with pure Astragalus preparation - an analysis of 115 leucopenic cases. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 1995, 15(8): 462 - 464.
Yang, D.Z.: Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on myoelectric activity of small intestine. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 1993, 13(10): 616 - 617.
Yang, G. & Geng, P. Effects of yang-promoting drugs on immunological functions of yang-deficient animal model induced by prednisolone. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine., 4(2), 153-156, 1984.
Zhang, Y.D., Wang, Y.L., Shen, J.P., Li, D.X. Hypotensive and antiiflammatory effects of Astragalus saponin 1. Acta Pharm Sin. 19 (1984): 333-337.
Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Shen, J. & Li, D. Yaoxue Xuebo, 19, 333, 1984.
Zhang, N.D., Wong, Y.L., et.al. Effects of astragalus saponin 1 on cAMP and cGMP level in plasma and DNA synthesis in regenerating rat liver. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica, 19(8), 619- 621, 1984.
Zhang, N., Wong, Y., et. al. Effects on blood pressure and inflammation of astragalus saponin 1, a principle isolated from astragalus membranaceus Bge. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica, 19(5), 333-337, 1984.
Zhang, H., et. al. Treatment of adult diabetes with jiangtangjia tablets. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 7(4), 37-39, 1986.
Zhou, M.X., et. al. Therapeutic effect of astragalus in treating chronic active hepatitis and the changes in immune function. Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army, 7(4), 242-244, 1982.
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