Astragalus
Astragalus mongholicus Bunge
Synonyms:
A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge; A. membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P.G.Xiao
Family:
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Other common names:
Huang Qi; membranous milk vetch
Drug name:
Astragali radix
Botanical drug used:
Root
Main chemical compounds:
The main constituents are the triterpene saponins, which include the astragalosides, agroastragalosides and astromembranins, polysaccharides known as astraloglucans, isoflavonoids based mainly on formononetin and calycosin (WHO 1999; Williamson et al. 2013).
Clinical Evidence:
In a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial in 48 patients over 6 weeks, a herbal–mineral complex (HMC) containing 80 mg of astragalus root (the only herbal component) showed positive results in patients with allergic rhinitis. Efficacy was evaluated by the mean change in the symptom score, quality of life, serum IgE and IgG, nasal eosinophils and physicians’ and patients’ global evaluation. Compared to placebo, HMC significantly decreased the intensity of rhinorrhoea although other indicators did not differ. The investigators and patients both judged the treatment with HMC as more efficacious, but further studies with a larger number of patients need to be carried out (Matkovic et al. 2010).
Pre-clinical evidence and mechanisms of action:
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