• 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 FoodService Safety
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2024

Medicinal cooked rice with Astragalus membranaceus extract and garlic was developed as a ready-to-eat product. The response surface methodology was used to examine the effect of garlic and Astragalus membranaceus extract addition on the color, texture, and sensory properties to optimize the product. The product was also analyzed for microbiological, sensory, and physical property changes during storage.As for the color, taste, and overall acceptability, the sensory scores increased with the increase of Astragalus membranaceus extracts (p<0.05). The sensory scores for the product ranged between 9.17~9.92 and foodborne microorganism such as Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Staphylococcu aureus, and Eschericha coli were not detected after 13 storage days. Therefore, the possible shelf life was evaluated for up to13 days of storage. When considering health and convenience are important factors in the development of new food products, the medicinal and biological effects of garlic and Astragalus membranaceus could be useful for providing healthy diet options for senior consumers. The results of sensory and microbiological tests showed the potential for the commercialization of ready-to-eat cook-chill product as an alternative of cooked rice for Asian populations and Korean senior consumer market.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.825-829
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• 2004

This study was carried out to differentiate the origins of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge and A. membranaceus Bunge var. mogholicus Nakai. To identify the variation of the RAPD patterns between domestic and foreign Astragalus species, 40 random primers were applied to ten accessions of A. membranaceus and six accessions of A. membranaceus var. mogholicus genomic DNA, respectively, Ten primers of 40 primers could be used to discriminate the origins and 33 polymorph isms among 44 scored DNA fragments (33 fragments are specific for A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mogholicus) were generated using these primers, 75.0 % of which were polymorphic. Especially, three primers of ten primers, OPA17, OPA11 and OPB11, were useful to differentiate between domestic and foreign Astragalus species. RAPD data from the 10 primers were used for cluster analysis and cluster analysis of RAPD markers showed that the two groups are distinct genetically. Consequently, RAPD analysis was a useful method to discriminate between A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mogholicus.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 1997

Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子), Ligustrum lucidum Ail (女貞子) are Herbs that are frequently used in a lot of prescriptions to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer therapies, especially like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The radioprotective and hemopoietic effects of these Herbs on BALB/c splenocytes and bone marrow cells are measured. In order to evaluate the Hemopoietic effects, Thymidine uptakes and secretion of colony stimulating factors(CSFs) of splenocytes and myelocytes treated with herbs were measured. Radioprotective effects were accessed by the method of immunocompetence of murine lymphocytes cultured with herbs before irradiation and with LPS, ConA after irradiation. The results are as follows. 1. The orders of Proliferative effects of herbs on splenocytes were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸). Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), the lowest of all. At Optimal concentration, the proliferation ratios of herb-treated splenocytes compared to non-treated ones were like these. Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 44.3, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 17.7, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 10, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 6.4, Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) 2.0.(p<0.05) 2. When splenocytes were cultured during different periods, Atractylodes. macrocephala Loidz (白朮) and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) showed the higest proliferation on 3th day, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) on 4th day,(p<0.05) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) until 5th day but with no significant increase. 3. The orders of Proliferative effects of herbs on Bone Marrow(BM) cells were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus memhranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), the lowest of all too. At Optimal concentration, the proliferation ratios of herb-treated BM cells compared to non-treated ones were like these. Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 21.7, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 9.9, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 4.9, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 2.3, Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) 1.4(p<0.05). 4. The secretion ratio of colony stimulating factors(CSFs) of each herb-treated group, compared to control, was Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 9.4, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 9.0, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 4.4, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 3.8 (p<0.05) but no significant increase in Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子). 5. The mitogen(ConA, LPS) stimulated-lymphocytes cultured with each herb before irradiation of 1-3 Gy showed more enhanced proliferation than control(p<0.05). When compared to each non-irradiated group of all groups, the orders of percentage increase of irradiated group were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子). Each percentage showed significant enhancement compared to control group(p<0.05). According to the results, Atractylcdes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) are suggested to be the most effective hemopoietic and radioprotective herbs, and Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) the next, but Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) showed lower effects than expected.

• 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.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2008

From the 70% EtOH extract of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae), fifteen saponins were isolated and identified as astragaloside I (1), isoastragaloside II (2), astragaloside II (3), agroastragaloside I (4), cyclogaleginoside B (5), cycloaraloside A (6), brachyoside B (7), agroastragaloside II (8), astragaloside III (9), astragaloside IV (10), astramembranoside A (11), astramembranoside B (12), cylocanthoside E (13), cyclounifolioside B (14) and azukisaponin V methyl ester (15) by spectroscopic methods. Ten compounds 1 - 3, 5 - 7, 9 - 11 and 14 have cycloastragenol as an aglycon, and four compounds 4, 8 , 12, and 13 have cyclocanthogenin as an aglycon. The hairy roots of A. membranaceus were shown to produce previously unreported cycloartane-type saponins such as agroastragalosides I (4) and II (8) and cycloastragenol $3-O-{\beta}-D-xyloside$ (5), together with the known saponins. This is the first report of these saponins (4, 5, and 8) from the intact plant. Although the occurrence of the oleanane-type triterpene saponin, azukisaponin V methyl ester (15), in Astragalus plants has been demonstrated by others, this is the first report of the azukisaponin V methyl ester (15) from the Astragalus plants.

• 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.