• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1330-1334
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• 2003

Astragali Radix(AR), one of the strong tonic herbs, is known to improve immunological responses in mice and human. In this study, AR's ai-reinforcing effect was examined in the context of CD4/sup +/ T cells' TCR/CD3 induced activation responses. In order to evaluate the direct effect of AR on helper T cells, CD4/sup +/ T cells are isolated using magnetic bead and their proliferation and CD69 expression in AR treated medium were assessed with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activation for 48h. CD4 T cells' proliferation was slightly increased but there was little effect on CD69 expression. RT PCR and ELISA equally demonstrated that IL-2 and IL-4 production was increased but IFN-ν was down-regulated. This shows AR ethanol extract favors Th2 cytokine profile under neutral conditions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.612-617
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• 2005

Astragali Radix(AR), is a popular tonic herb prescribed for 'insufficient qi' in Korea, Japan and China. The present study examined the effect of AR ethanol extract on ovalubumin induced allergic mouse model. AR administration reduced levels of IFN-gamma, Interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5 and total IgE in the OVA induced allergic inflammation. It also protected the upper airway respiratory epithelium from being damaged by the OVA induced inflammation. Taken together, our results showed that the use of AR alone proved to down-regulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine production and play a protective role in tissue damage in allergic disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the neuroprotective effects of modified Boyanghwano-Tang (mBHT) and the major medicinal plants, Astragali Radix(AR) and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix(SMR) were investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced ischemic stroke of rats. Methods : mBHT(400 mg/kg) and AR(154 mg/kg) or SMR(62 mg/kg) water extract orally injected in rats after 90 min occlusion of MCA and then allow reperfusion to 24 h. Brain infarction was measured by TTC staining and the expressions of NOS isoforms and apoptotic molecules were determined in ischemic brain by Western blot. Results : The results showed that mBHT has stronger neuropreotective property through inhibitions of the PARP cleaved and caspase-3 activation in ischemic rats, and could reduced infarction volumes comparison of those of AR or SMR, respectively. While, AR extract has an angiogenic property through increasing the expressions of eNOS and VEGF, and SMR extract has a strong anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of iNOS expression in ischemic brains. Conclusions : These results suggest that mBHT has multifactorial therapeutic advantages through anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and angiogenesis for ischemic stroke based on a synergistic combination of ingradients rather than monotherapy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2009

Roots of Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus) (Astragali Radix, AR) has been used as a herbal medicine for gastrointestinal disorders in China, Korea, Japan, and other Asia countries. In this study we investigated the effects of the AR 70% ethanol extract and compounds isolated from AR on gastritis in rats and growth of human gastric cancer cells. AR 70% ethanol extract showed the potent acid-neutralizing capacities and partly cytotoxicity of Helicobacter pylori and human AGS gastric cancers cell. Astragaloside I and daucosterol, which were isolated from AR, significantly inhibited HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions. In addition, daucosterol increased the mucus content to almost the same as the positive control. The results of this study suggest that astragaloside I and daucosterol may be good candidates for the development of new drugs or neutraceuticals which can be used for the treatment or prevention of gastritis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.579-588
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• 2006

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the effect of Astragali Radix on leukocytopenia anaphysis with carcinostatic substance elicitation. Methods : We observe if there were differences in a general tendency by EAR (AR extracts) capacity in the Astragali Radix treated group and the cyclophosphamide treated group, a general tendency of recovery from leukocytopenia over lime and checked for liver and kidney toxicity. Results : In cyclophosphamide treated with EAR 1000mg/kg group, the recovery rate of leukocytopenia increased and there were no differences in liver and kidney functions. Conclusions : Astragali Radix was effective and safe in increasing rate of leukocytopenia anaphysis with carcinostatic substance elicitation and indicated possibility for clinically adaptation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1140-1146
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the comparison of immunomodualtory effects of water-extracted Ginseng Radix(GR), Pilose Asia-bell(PA), Astragali Radix(AR), Astractylodes Rhizoma alba(AA) and Dioscoreae Rhizoma (DR). The parameter examined to assess apparent immunomodulatory effect of the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR included the regulation of Nitric oxide (NO), the expression of Th1/Th2 type cytokine, the change of B cell phenotype. The water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR inhibited NO production and iNOS protein expression in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In the Th1 and Th2 cytokine expression, the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR induced IL-2 and IFNr mRNA gene expression. Therefore, it seems that the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR have a inducing effect of Th1 type cytokines. In the Flow cytometry analysis, the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR did not change B cell phenotype (CD45R/B220). The water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR have a reducing effect of immune suppression cause by Methotrexate (MTX), an agent of immune suppression. These results suggest that the immunomodulatory effects of the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR may be, in part, associated with the inducing IL-2 and IFNr mRNA gene expression in and regulation of NO production in macrophage cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2011

Objectives : Elastic fibers are found in the skin, lungs, arteries, veins and other structures. The defects of elastic matrix aggravate hypertension which is associated with alteration in the great arteries, arteries, and arterioles. The elastase inhibitors were undergoing in clinical studies about emphysema and pulmonary hypertension. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Astragali Radix extracts (AR) on elastase activity and anti-oxidative effects. Methods : The elastase inhibitory activity and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and NO free radical scavenging activities of AR were measured. Results : The elastase activity was significantly inhibited by AR. The significant DPPH and NO free radical scavenging activities were observed in AR as well. Conclusion : AR showed the anti-elastase effects and anti-oxidative activities in vitro. These results suggest that AR may be a possible drug for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema and pulmonary hypertension.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.326-334
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• 1996

Effects of methanol extract of Astragali Radix (AR) on the immune responses were studied using ICR mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups (10mice/group), and methanol extracts of AR at doses of 0.05, 0.25 and 1.25g/kg were orally administered to ICR mice once a day for 2 weeks. Mice were immunized and challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The results of this study were summarized as follows; (1) Methanol extract of AR at 0.05, 0.25 and 1.25g/kg didn't affect the weight ratios of thymus to body, as compared with those in controls, but significantly increased spleen weight ratio. (2)Methanol extract of AR at 0.05 and 0.25g/kg significantly increased hemagglutination titer and splenic plaque forming cells corresponding to humoral immunity, as compared with those in controls, but their enhancements were somewhat lowered at a high dose (1.25g/kg). (3) Methanol extract of AR at 0.05 and 0.25g/kg siginificantly increased delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction resulted from cell-mediated immunity, as compared with those in controls, but not so significant increases were observed at a high dose (1.25g/kg). (4) Methanol extract of AR at 0.05 and 0.25g/kg significantly increased phagocytic activity and the number of circulating leukocyte compared with those in controls, but their enhancements were lowered at a high dose (1.25g/kg). These results suggest that methanol extract of Astragali Radix increased humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, phagocytic activity and the number of circulating leukocyte, dependent upon dose, but inhibited their enhancement effects were decreased at a high dose (1.25g/kg).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.1 s.132
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• pp.80-85
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• 2003

Water extract from Astragali Radix (AR) was tested for the safety using Ames, Bacillus subtilis Rec, and umu gene expression mutagenicity tests. Mutagenic activity in any assays we tested was not found. In Ames test, Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA 100 were used to identify mutagenic property, and the number of histidine revertants was measured. In the Recassay, Bacillus subtilis ${H-17(Rec^+)\;and\;M-45(Rec^-)}$ strains were used to test DNA damage activity. In the SOS umu test, Salmonella typhimurium TA1535 containing plasmid pSK1002 was used as a test strain, and we monitored the levels of umu operon expression by measuring the ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity. From the results, there was no DNA damage and mutagenicity of AR. Hepatotoxicity of AR to female ICR mice was also monitored by the measurements of s-GOT, s-GPT, LDH activities after oral feeding for 15 days. AR was not shown any significant changes of s-GOT, s-GPT and LDH activities in mice sera.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2009

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate protective effects of Pharmacopuncture Solutions (PSs) made by Carthmi Flos (CF), Cnidii Rhizoma (CR) and Astragali Radix (AR) on C6 glioma cells Methods : We investigated the effects of PSs on proliferation rates and types of C6 cells, and also investigated the effects on LDH release. In addition, protective effects of PSs on oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide and SOD-like activities were also investigated. Results : PSs made by CF, CR and AR did not show cytotoxicity in various concentrations. CF-PS and AR-PS elevated levels of proliferation rates significantly. Treatment with CF-PS lowered level of LDH release in C6 cells. In addition, CF-PS and CR-PS showed protective effects on cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide respectively. Finally, CF-PS group showed high level of SOD-like activity compared to that in CR-PS group. Conclusion : These results suggest that CF-PS can accelerate proliferation of neuroglial cells, and has protective action against oxidative stress, which was involved in anti-oxidative effects such as SODlike activities. In addition, CR has protective effects against oxidative stress, and AR can accelerate proliferation of neuroglial cells.