• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.4 s.127
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• pp.311-315
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• 2001

The root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (Leguminosae), which has been used for the treatment of hypertension, chronic hepatitis, duodenal ulcers, chronic nephritis and promotion of immunity in folk remedies. Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) is responsible for the production of large amounts of proinflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) at the inflammatory site. Thus, a logical approach to the treatment of inflammatory disease should involve the inhibitors of COX-2. To develop new COX-2 inhibitors from natural products, Astragali Radix was screened by inhibiting prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ generation in the culture medium using enzyme immunometric assay. Two isoflavone glycosides, $7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ and $calycosin-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ isolated from Astragali Radix inhibited COX-2 activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2005

The root of Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae) has been used in traditional chinese prescriptions for strengthning the superficial resistance, promoting pus discharge and tissue regeneration, diuretis and alleviating edema. Lipid peroxidation has been suggested as a major cause of atherosclerosis, cancer, liver disease, and the aging process. In order to investigate the anti-lipid peroxidation activity, Astragali Radix was extracted with $80\%$ MeOH and fractionated with hexane, $CH_{2}Cl_2$, EtOAc, BuOH and Water. The antilipid peroxidation activities of them were determined by human erythrocyte ghost and $CCl_4$-induced lipid peroxidation. $CH_{2}Cl_2$ and EtOAc fractions, especially, isoflavonoids, 7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside and calyco sin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside from EtOAc fraction showed anti-lipid peroxidation activities.