• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.43-59
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• 2007

Purpose : Astragalus membranaceus is a herb which has effectiveness of energy increase, protection against pathogenic and organ immune response control. Endometriosis has been thought to be related with immune response in uterus. Therefore in this study, the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on endometriosis were investigated. Methods : The endometrial tissue was autografted to rat's small intestine. Rats with surgically induced endometriosis was administerd with Astragalus membranaceus extracts for 40 days orally or rectally. We observed the size of ectopic uterine implants at the mesenteric with the naked eye and examined the concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum. Also, we inquired out the efficiency between oral and rectal administration groups. Results : The size of ectopic uterine implants of oral and rectal treated groups were much smaller than those of control groups. The concentration of estradiol, progesterone. $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2 were significantly decreased in oral administration experimental group compared with the control group. The concentration of progesterone were significantly decreased in rectal administration experimental group compared with the control group. The efficiency of oral administration group was better than that of rectal administration group in the serum concentration of estradiol, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2. Conclusion : Our data suggest that Astragalus membranaceus reduce the size of ectopic uterine implants at the mesenteric wall and inhibit the growth of ectopic uterine implants. Judging from the above results, it can be suggested that Astragalus membranaceus should be a useful agent for inhibiting the proliferation of uterine endometrial tissue. May be, oral administration of Astragalus membranaceus is more effective than rectal administration for inhibiting the proliferation of endometriosis.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.216-223
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to assess the characteristics of Sikhe prepared with Astragalus membranaceus water extracts. The pH of the Sikhe increased with increasing amounts of the added extract. The L value (Lightness) decreased with increasing extract content, whereas the a and b values increased with increasing amounts of extracts. The saccharinity of the Sikhe also increased with increasing amounts of the extract. The microbial cell counts of the Sikhe samples presented no distinct differences in the early storage period, but the total microbial cell counts decreased with increasing concentrations of the extract over a longer storage period. Adding the extract did not affect the sensory characteristics of the Sikhe. Thus, according to our results, the addition of Astragalus membranaceus water extract has no impact on the sensory characteristics of Sikhe and can reduce the amount of added sugar. In addition, these results indicate Astragalus membranaceus may inhibit normal microbial growth and extend the shelf life of Sikhe.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.233-237
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• 2009

Astragalus membranaceus has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese herbal medicine. It has been shown to have immunostimulant, tonic, antioxidant, antiperspirant, diuretic, anti-diabetic, expectorant properties, and a supplementary medicine during cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of anti-oxidation of Astragalus membranaceus root extract. The anti-oxidative activities of water, 80% methanol, and 100% methanol extracts from Astragalus membranaceus were analyzed by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Superoxide dismutase-like activity, reducing power, and crude ash. The water extract demonstrated to be more effective than methanol extract for a DPPH radicals scavenging activities and reducing power. Superoxide dismutase-like activity showed higher efficiency in 80% methanol extract. Our results indicate that Astragalus membranaceus extracts could be used as a source of antioxidant ingredients in the food industry.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus extract solution on cell cycle regulation and apoptosis of human leiomyomal cell. Methods: The leiomyoma cell of patients was used in the study, and we administered the extract solution of Astragalus membranaceus concentration at 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ to the leiomyoma cell for 48 hours. We used flow cytometry and western blotting to confirm cell cycle and apoptosis. Results: In flow cytometry, G1 phase of the $1mg/m{\ell}$ and $10mg/m{\ell}$ group was shortened and S phase of the $1mg/m{\ell}$ and $10mg/m{\ell}$ group was increased. Cycline D1 expression increased in 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ group. Bcl-2 expression decreased in 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ groups than control group. And Bax expression that regulated cell apoptosis more increased in 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ group than control group. VEGF expression rised in higher Astragalus membranaceus concentration group. Conclusion: This study suggest that Astragalus membranaceus might induce cell apoptosis of leiomyoma cell and shorten cell cycle. And Astragalus membranaceus would not have the regulation effect of cell cycle.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.336-341
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• 1996

The roots of Korean Astragalus membranaceus Bunge. (Leguminosae), Astragali Radix, were extracted following general methods. During these extractions, first of all, 1,2-benzendicarboxylic acid diisononylester(compound A), ${\beta}-sitosterol(compound\;B)$, $3-0-{\beta}-D-galactopyranosyl-{\beta}-sitosterol(compound\;C)$ and $stigmast-4-en-6{\beta}-ol-3-one(compound\;D)$ were isolated. Three of these compounds were identified the first time isolation from the genus of Astragalus.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2012

Objectives : The Astragalus membranaceus has been used to diuretic, tonic, anti-viral, anti-oxidant activities in oriental herb medicine, and in each experiment, proved in this effects. Root of A. membranaceus includes according to flavonoid, saponin, polysaccharide, thus it has been studied for anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activities. However, previous researches have been performed with being limited mainly to food industry. The present study was conducted anti-oxidative activity of A. membranaceus extracts. In addition, The objective of the present study was to determine the possibility for the application of emulsions in the development of A. membranaceus for cosmetics. Methods : In this study, aimed SOD like activity of A. membranaceus extract, effects of A. membranaceus extract on viscoelastic properties of emulsion was measured using rheometer. Results : In the results, 1, 3-butylene glycol extract of A. membranaceus efficiently reduce the active oxygen, SOD like activity of more than 40% decrement depend on concentration. And A. membranaceus extract increase the modulus of elasticity of emulsion, therefore A. membranaceus extract have not influence on stability loss. As such, the A. membranaceus extracts will remain stable when applied to emulsions or skin products. Conclusions : In consequence of this study, A. membranaceus extract can be effectively used in cosmetic emulsions when the relation between natural product extracts and formulation of cosmetics is elucidated. It is highly recommended that rheology be applied to determine the optimal extract concentration for cosmetic formulations.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.176-179
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• 2006

Electron beam irradiation was applied to examine the microbial growth and qualities of vacuum-packaged Astragalus membranaceus, a Korean medicinal herb. Samples were irradiated at dose of 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 kGy, respectively. Microbiological data on A. membranaceus showed that populations of total bacteria, yeast and mold, total coliforms were significantly reduced with increase of irradiation dose. Populations of microorganisms in A. membranaceus were decreased by 2-3 log cycles at 8 kGy irradiation. Color measurements showed that electron beam treatment caused negligible changes in Hunter color L, a, and b values of A. membranaceus. Sensory evaluations showed that there were no significant changes among the samples. These results suggest that electron beam irradiated A. membranaceus have better microbial safety and qualities, compared with the non-irradiated control.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.408-419
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• 2016

Background: In recent years, adjuvants have received increasing attention owing to the development of purified subunit and synthetic vaccines which are poor immunogens and require additional adjuvants to evoke an immune response. Therefore, immunologic adjuvants have been developed and tested. Plant polysaccharides have been recognized as effective biological response modifiers with low toxicity. Methods and Results: In this study, the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge containing immunomodulating arabino-3,6-galactan was evaluated for its hemolytic activity and adjuvant potential in the specific cellular and humoral immune responses to ovalbumin. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge was co-immunized with the purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine in mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge did not induce any hemolytic activity or side effects at doses up to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The concanavalin A-, lipopolysaccharide-, and ovalbumin-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum ovalbumin-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2b antibody titers in immunized mice were significantly enhanced by AMA. Pharmacological data revealed that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge increased antigen-specific antibody levels in immunized mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine improved the proliferation of splenocytes and macrophages as well as stimulated cytokine production. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted vaccines enhanced humoral and cellular immunity and that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is a safe and efficacious adjuvant candidate suitable for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.362-369
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the fish paste prepared with Astragalus membranaceus powder (0-2.0%). The pH of the samples ranged from 6.75 to 6.86 and the moisture content ranged from 77.19 to 80.18%. Increasing amount of Astragalus membranaceus powder in the fish paste tended to increase the redness and yellowness in Hunter color value. Textural property analysis indicated that the strength of the sample paste increased and its springiness decreased with an increasing amount of Astragalus membranaceus powder. The fish paste prepared with Astragalus membranaceus powder (2.0%), especially, showed the highest values in cohesiveness, brittleness, and gumminess. In addition, all the samples had good flexibility. In sensory evaluation, the addition of 1.0% Astragalus membranaceus powder had the best score in color, texture, taste, and overall preference. Therefore, this results suggest that 1.0% Astragalus membranaceus powder can be applied to produce fish paste with high functionality and sensory preference.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2020

Background: Fermentation of medicinal plants increases their absorption rate and bioavailability in the body. Astragalus membranaceus has been used as a raw material, but research in its use as a food ingredient is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the physicochemical characteristics and anti-inflammatory effect of fermented Astragalus membranaceus. Methods and Results: Astragalus roots were fermented using Aspergillus awamori for 4 days and their extracts prepared using hot water. The pH, total acidity (%), and reducing sugar (%) of the extracts were then investigated. The pH and total acidity decreased during fermentation. After fermentation, the pH and total acidity decreased, whereas the reducing sugar level increased. The active ingredients in fermented Astragalus were calycosin-7-O-ßd-glucoside, ononin, calycosin and formononetin. The calycosin contents was highest in the hot-water extracted samples fermented for 4 days. The other components were similar to those in control. Nitric oxide level was lower in the hot-water extracted samples fermented for 4 days than in lipopolysaccharide control group. The sample fermented for 4 days was confirmed to inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. Conclusions: Our results showed the physicochemical properties and anti-inflammatory effects of A. membranaceus after fermentation using Aspergillus awamori. These results indicated that fermented Astragalus membranaceus can be used as a functional food.