Astragaloside IV alleviates stroke-triggered early brain injury by modulating neuroinflammation and ferroptosis via the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

Purpose: Stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is an active ingredient extracted from Astragalus membranaceus with an established therapeutic effect on central nervous system diseases. This study examined the neuroprotective properties and possible mechanisms of AS-IV in stroke-triggered early brain injury (EBI) in a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Methods: The neurological scores and brain water content were analyzed. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was utilized to determine the infarct volume, neuroinflammatory cytokine levels, and ferroptosis-related genes and proteins, and neuronal damage and molecular mechanisms were evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dutp nickend labeling (TUNEL) staining, western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: AS-IV administration decreased the infarct volume, brain edema, neurological deficits, and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and NF-κB, increased the levels of SLC7A11 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), decreased lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and prevented neuronal ferroptosis. Meanwhile, AS-IV triggered the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and alleviated ferroptosis due to the induction of stroke. Conclusion: Hence, the findings of this research illustrate that AS-IV administration can improve delayed ischemic neurological deficits and decrease neuronal death by modulating nuroinflammation and ferroptosis via the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Modulating effects of Astragalus polysaccharide on immune disorders via gut microbiota and the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in rats with syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (DSSD) is relatively common globally. Although the pathogenesis of DSSD remains unclear, evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota might play a significant role. Radix Astragali, used as both medicine and food, exerts the effects of tonifying spleen and qi. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) comprises a macromolecule substance extracted from the dried root of Radix Astragali, which has many pharmacological functions. However, whether APS mitigates the immune disorders underlying the DSSD syndrome via regulating gut microbiota and the relevant mechanism remains unknown. Here, we used DSSD rats induced by high-fat and low-protein (HFLP) diet plus exhaustive swimming, and found that APS of moderate molecular weight increased the body weight gain and immune organ indexes, decreased the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and endotoxin, and suppressed the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-‍κB (TLR4/NF-‍κB) pathway. Moreover, a total of 27 critical genera were significantly enriched according to the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). APS increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and changed its composition, such as reducing the relative abundance of Pseudoflavonifractor and Paraprevotella, and increasing that of Parasutterella, Parabacteroides, Clostridium XIVb, Oscillibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Dorea. APS also elevated the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the correlation analysis indicated that 12 critical bacteria were related to the body weight gain and immune organ indexes. In general, our study demonstrated that APS ameliorated the immune disorders in DSSD rats via modulating their gut microbiota, especially for some bacteria involving immune and inflammatory response and SCFA production, as well as the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. This study provides an insight into the function of APS as a unique potential prebiotic through exerting systemic activities in treating DSSD.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of alcesefoliside from Astragalus monspessulanus

Abstract The hepatoprotective potential of alcesefoliside (AF) from Astragalus monspessulanus was investigated. Iron sulphate/ascorbic acid (Fe2+/AA) lipid peroxidation was induced in rat liver microsomes and pre-incubated with AF and silybin (100, 10 and 1 µmol). Pronounced effects were observed in 100 µmol. In vivo experiments were carried out on rats, challenged orally with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) alone and after pre-treatment and followed by curative treatment with AF (10 mg/kg). The activity of the serum and antioxidant enzymes, together with reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and malonedialdehyde (MDA) quantity were measured. Microsomal incubation with Fe2+/AA increased MDA production. The pre-incubation with AF reduced the formation of MDA, comparable to silybin. These findings were supported by the in vivo study where CCl4-induced liver damage was discerned by significant increase in serum enzymes and in MDA production as well as by GSH depletion and reduced antioxidant enzymes activity. The AF pre-treatment and consecutive curative treatment normalizes the activity of the serum and antioxidant enzymes alike, as well as the levels of GSH and MDA. Histological examination of AF-treated livers showed a decrease in the abnormal accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes as well as reduced alterative changes in their structure in a model of CCl4-induced toxicity.

Comparative stomach tissue distribution profiles of four major bio-active components of Radix Astragali in normal and gastric ulcer mice

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Radix Astragali can inhibit gastric ulcers in mice. Anhydrous ethanol (0.01 mL/g) administered to mice by intragastric infusion can induce gastric ulcer injury. This study was performed to compare the stomach tissue distribution profiles of four major bioactive constituents of Radix Astragali(calycosin-7-O-ß-d-glucoside, calycosin, ononin and formononetin) after oral administration of extract of Radix Astragali (ERA)in normal and gastric ulcer mice. The abundance of Radix Astragali constituents was determined using an ultra-pressure liquid chromatograph with a photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA), after which histograms were drawn. In comparison with normal mice, the contents of calycosin- 7-O-ß-d-glucoside, calycosin, ononin and formononetin in the stomach tissue samples of gastric ulcer mice showed significant differences at the selected time points (P < 0.05).The abundance of each of the four tested constituents in the normal groups was higher than that of the gastric ulcer groups. This study provides an empirical foundation for future studies focused on developing clinical applications of Radix Astragali

Research progress on Astragali Radix and prediction of its quality markers (Q-markers) / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix, a medicinal herb for invigorating Qi, has anti-aging, anti-tumor, immunoregulatory, blood sugar-and lipid-lowering, anti-fibrosis, anti-radiation and other pharmacological effects. This article reviewed the studies about the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Astragali Radix. According to the theory of quality markers(Q-markers) of Chinese medicinal materials, we predicted the Q-markers of Astragali Radix from traditional efficacy, chemical component validity, measurability, plant phylogeny, and pharmacokinetis. The results showed that total polysaccharides, flavonoids(e.g., calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, formononetin, calycosin, quercetin, and ononin), and saponins(e.g., astragalosides Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ) can be taken as the main Q-markers. This review lays a foundation for regulating the quality research and standard establishment of Astragali Radix, and benefits the control and quality supervision of the production process of Astragali Radix and its related products.

Research advance of pharmacological effects of astragalosides on nervous system diseases / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a long history, which has the functions of tonifying Qi and promoting urination and granulation. Astragalosides are the main effective components of Astragali Radix, and more than 40 triterpenoid saponins have been obtained from Astragalus membranaceus and its related plants, mainly including astragalosides Ⅰ-Ⅷ, isoastragalosides Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ, acetylastragalosides, and soyasaponins. Astragalosides have a wide range of biological activities, such as immunomodulation, antioxidation, and neuroprotection. Nervous system diseases seriously affect people's quality of life, threaten human physical and mental health, and impose a burden on families and society. As natural drugs, astragalosides have good preventive and therapeutic effects on central nervous system diseases. This paper reviews the main pharmacological effects and mechanisms of astragalosides in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cerebral ischemic stroke and proposes the research prospects and potential problems, aiming to provide reference for the clinical application and basic research of astragalosides.

Prediction of Q-markers of Astragali Radix based on network pharmacology and fingerprint / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix is one of the most commonly used medicinal materials. In recent years, its cultivated varieties and a variety of adulterants have flooded the market, which makes its quality uneven, and the development of quality control methods has become a research hotspot. Therefore, figuring out the quality markers of Astragali Radix is of great significance for its comprehensive evaluation. In this study, the fingerprints of 15 batches of Astragali Radix were established by HPLC, and the main components causing intergroup differences were screened out by PLS-DA. On the basis of literature review and network pharmacology analysis, the targets and pathways of active ingredients were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction, PubChem Compound and other databases, and then the "component-target-pathway" network was constructed with Cytoscape 3.7.1 for the prediction of potential quality markers. Twenty-eight common peaks were identified in the established fingerprint, and three differential components were selected as potential quality markers for Astragali Radix, which were astragaloside Ⅳ, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and ononin. The proposed method based on HPLC fingerprint of Astragali Radix is convenient and feasible, facilitating the improvement in its quality control.

Review of chemical constituents,pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Danggui Buxue Decoction and prediction and analysis of its Q-markers / 中国中药杂志

Danggui Buxue Decoction is a classic prescription of Qi and blood tonification, which is mainly applied in treating fatigue, internal damage Qi weakness, blood deficiency, and outward going of floating Yang. Modern pharmacology shows that it can promote hematopoiesis, regulate immunity, and protect heart and cerebral vessels. The prescription, often used for the treatment of anemia and other diseases in clinic, is composed of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix at a dosage ratio of 5∶1. It is a modern compound prescription for invigorating Qi and generating blood. Based on the review of the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications of Danggui Buxue Decoction, its Q-marker was predicted and analyzed according to the "five principles" of Chinese medicine Q-marker--quality transmissibility and traceability, ingredient specificity, component validity, component measurabi-lity, and formula compatibility environment. The results suggested that calycosin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, formononetin, ononin, astragaloside A, ferulic acid, and ligustilide could be used as Q-markers of Danggui Buxue Decoction, which provides reference for establishing the quality system of Danggui Buxue Decoction.

Comparative study of Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle and Hedysari Radix Praeparata cum Melle on spleen Qi deficiency rats / 中国中药杂志

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Complanatoside A and complanatoside B in rats administered with raw and salt-processed Astragali Complanati Semen: a pharmacokinetics study / 中国中药杂志

An UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to simultaneously determine complanatoside A and complanatoside B in rat plasma with rutin as the internal standard and applied to examine the effect of salt-processing on pharmacokinetics of these two flavonoid glycosides. The pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using DAS 3.2.6 and subjected to independent sample t-test with SPSS 23.0. No significant difference in T_(max) of complanatoside B was observed between the raw and processed groups; however, in the processed group, C_(max) and AUC_(0-12 h) of complanatoside B increased obviously(P<0.05), while MRT_(0-12 h) decreased from(3.34±0.44) h to(1.81±0.36) h(P<0.05). C_(max) [(14.72±11.13) μg·L~(-1)] and MRT_(0-24) [(3.93±0.26) h] of complanatoside A in the raw group were statistically different from those [(35.64±21.99) μg·L~(-1),(1.43±0.24) h] in the processed group(P<0.05). As a result, salt-processing can facilitate the in vivo adsorption and accelerate the excretion of complanatoside A and complanatoside B.

Study on intervention effect of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma on growth and metastasis of colon cancer in orthotopic transplantation mice model of colon cancer / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma is a classic drug pair mainly used for the treatment of digestive tract-related inflammation and tumors, but the ratio is not fixed in clinical practice. In order to study whether the anti-tumor effect of the drug pair is diffe-rent under different ratios, orthotopic transplantation model of colon cancer was established in mice. Then the principal component analysis(PCA) and cluster analysis(CA) were used to explore the effect of different ratios of the drug pair on the tumor growth and metastasis, and select the optimal ratio of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma for anti-colon cancer effect. After administration for 15 days, the body weight of colon cancer mice with the tumor removed, the tumor volume and the number of liver metastases were mea-sured; the pathological changes of tumor tissue and liver tissue were observed by HE staining. At the same time, Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression level of tumor growth-related indicators in tumor tissue(Ki67, HBP1, AFP) and tumor metastasis-related indicators in liver tissue(β-catenin, E-cadherin, vimentin, p53) of the tumor-bearing mice. Subsequently, PCA and CA were used to select the optimal ratio of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma for anti-colon cancer effect. The experimental results showed that different ratios of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma inhibited tumor growth and metastasis to varying degrees. The ratio at 1∶1 of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma had the best inhibitory effect on tumor growth, and the 2∶1 ratio group had the best effect on inhibiting liver metastasis and improving weighed loss. Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma significantly up-regulated the protein expression of HBP1 in tumor tissue of colon cancer mice, and significantly down-regulated the protein expression of Ki67 and AFP in tumor tissue; meanwhile, Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma significantly up-regulated the protein expression of E-cadherin in liver tissue of colon cancer mice, and significantly reduced the protein expression of β-catenin, vimentin and p53 in liver tissue. PCA results showed that the first three groups in the Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma compatibility group that were closer to the sham operation group were in the order of 2∶1, 1∶1 and 3∶2, among which the center distance of the 2∶1 group was the shortest from the sham operation group, indicating that the ratio 2∶1 of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma had the best intervention effect on colon cancer in mice, consistent with the commonly used clinical proportion. CA results showed that 11 groups of colon cancer mice were classified into 3 categories: Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma compatibility group, sham operation group and model group, which was consistent with the theory. The results of this study provide a basis for more effective clinical application of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma in the treatment of colon cancer, and provide new ideas for the development of classic drug pairs.

Research progress of Astragali Radix fermentation / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix is one of traditional Chinese medicines with effects in invigorating Qi for consolidating superficies, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, promoting pus discharge and tissue regeneration. In recent years, the traditional Chinese medicine fermentation technology has received extensive attentions due to its high efficiency and safety. The pharmacological functions of traditional Chinese medicines could be further enhanced after microbial fermentation, which has a broad development prospects. In this paper, we summarized relevant literatures of Astragali Radix fermentation in such aspects as fermentation strains, fermentation forms, process optimization, active ingredients and pharmacological effects, in the expectation of providing a reference for development and utilization of Astragali Radix.

Optimization of determination of astragaloside Ⅳ in Astragali Radix by continuous single-factor method / 中国中药杂志

This paper aims to solve the problems of complicated-unstable test solution preparation process and insufficient extraction of the active ingredient astragaloside Ⅳ in the legal method for the determination of astragaloside Ⅳ in Astragali Radix. The continuous single-factor analysis of seven main factors affecting the content of astragaloside Ⅳ was carried out by HPLC-ELSD, and then the pre-paration method of test solution was optimized. This optimized method exhibited excellent performance in precision, repeatability and stability. The average recovery rate of astragaloside Ⅳ was 99.65% with RSD 2.2%. Astragaloside Ⅳ showed a good linearity between the logarithm of peak area and the logarithm of injection quantity in the range of 0.46-9.1 μg(r=0.999 6). The contents of astragaloside Ⅳ in 29 batches of Astragali Radix were determined by the new and the legal methods. The results showed that the average content of astragaloside Ⅳ in these Astragali Radix samples determined by the former method was 1.458 times than that of the latter one, indicating the new method was simple, reliable and more adequate to extract target compound. According to the results, it is suggested to improve the content standard of astragaloside Ⅳ in Astragali Radix in the new edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia.

Evaluation of Astragali Radix quality grade based on appearance characteristics and internal ingredients / 中国中药杂志

This study is to provide the basis of establishing a quality evaluation system, based on the differences in appearance and internal components of Astragali Radix from different sources. The diameter of 18 batches of Astragali Radix, the content of alcohol(water) extract and 7 kinds of flavonoids were determined. The peak area ratio of flavonoid aglycon to aglycone was calculated. PCA and CA were carried out by synthesizing various indexes. The results of PCA and CA showed that Astragali Radix was obviously clustered into three types. Alcohol extract, formononetin/formosan glycosides,(pilose isoflavones+astragalus flavonoid A)/pilose isoflavone glucoside are the most significant differences in the variable importance projection index(VIP) of Astragali Radix. Combining the diameter, alcohol(water) extract, flavonoid aglycon to aglycone peak area ratio can provide an analysis method for the establishment of the grade evaluation system of Astragali Radix.

Interaction between homologous functional food Astragali Radix and intestinal flora / 中国中药杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the treasure of our culture, and TCM theory is the core of traditional Chinese medicine. Many of its concepts can be unified and balanced with modern functional food ideas. Even in ancient days, people had already found that medicine and food have the same source. Nowadays, homology between drug and food has been accepted widely. Astragali Radix and some other herbs have been used both as food and medicine, with a variety of bio-active substances, so such herbs can be used as characteristics resources to be developed into functional food. It's a combination of traditional medicine and modern ideas. Flavonoids, polysaccharides and saponins, the main compositions of Astragali Radix, can keep intestinal microenvironment homeostasis and human health by influencing the population structure, metabolism and intestinal cell function of intestinal flora. On the other hand, intestinal flora is also involved in the absorption, metabolism, transformation and other steps of these active ingredients in the body, which has an impact on their effectiveness and improves their bioavailability, playing an essential role in the relevant mechanism of their effectiveness. In this paper, we summarize the interaction between the above three functional ingredients in Astragali Radix and intestinal flora, sum up the interaction between these three functional ingredients of other homologous drugs and intestinal flora, provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism and application of functional food materials, and propose some suggestions and prospects for their future development.

Exploration of potential efficacy markers of Astragali Radix for invigorating Qi based on systematic traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix is the elixir for invigorating Qi, with the effects of invigorating Qi, promoting Yang and nourishing the body. With the deepening researches on the chemical constituents of Astragali Radix, it is used more extensively in clinical application. Based on systematic traditional Chinese medicine theory, in this paper, we characterized the effect of Astragali Radix on invigo-rating Qi from the molecular level, and explored the markers of Astragali Radix on invigorating Qi. Through TCMSP and ChEMBL databases, the active components-targets database of Astragali Radix was constructed to clarify the targets(elements) involved in Astragali Radix's Qi invigorating efficacy system. According to the relationship between the targets, the protein interaction network was constructed, and the network modules(structure) were divided according to the theoretic clustering algorithm molecular complex detection(MCODE), and the boundary of the Qi invigorating efficacy system was defined by the pharmacological function of Astragali Radix. The active components of Astragali Radix for invigorating Qi were characterized from the aspects of composition, target and efficacy. The results showed that eight key components of Astragali Radix, such as hederagenin, quercetin, calycosin, formononetin, jaranol, isorhamnetin, astragalosideⅢ, and 9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-β-D-glucoside, could act on eight functional modules composed of 17 key targets, and participate in G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway, regulation of lipid metabolic process, positive regulation of nitrogen compound metabolic process, positive regulation of programmed cell death, fatty acid metabolic process and other biological processes to produce pharmacological effects such as regulating immune function, strengthening heart, protecting myocardial cells, improving material metabolism, and antioxidation effects, thus playing the role of invigorating Qi. Based on the systematic Chinese medicine theory, this study explored the effective markers of Astragali Radix at the level of molecular network, which provided new ideas for the interpretation of the effective substance basis of systematic traditional Chinese medicine and the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. In the future, it can focus on the compatibility research of these components, and then carry out more in-depth studies on the efficacy of Astragali Radix in invigorating Qi, and strengthen the development of the corresponding pharmacological mechanism and related preparations.

Grey correlation analysis and path analysis between isoflavones content in Astragali Radix and climate factors / 中国中药杂志

In this study, HPLC was used to determine the content of the four isoflavones of Astragalus membranceus var. mongholicus from different regions(calycosin-7-glucoside, ononin, calycosin and formononetin), and gray correlation analysis and path analysis were used to explore the influence of climate factors on the content of isoflavone components in A. membranceus var. mongholicus. The results showed that there were significant differences in the content of the four isoflavones in different areas(P<0.05); grey correlation analysis showed that the highest temperature in July, the lowest temperature in January and the daily average temperature had a greater impact on the content of flavonoid glycosides, meanwhile precipitation and relative humidity were the more important factors for the accumulation of flavonoid aglycones. According to the general analysis, the direct positive effects of the lowest temperature in January and altitude on the contents of four isoflavones in A. membranceus var. mongholicus were significant. High altitude and extreme temperature conditions might be more adverse to the formation and accumulation of isoflavone components. Therefore, the religions of A. membranceus var. mongholicus with high contents of isoflavones should be chosen the low altitude region with higher minimum temperature in January. This study provides a reference basis for the quality evaluation of A. membranceus var. mongholicus, and basic data for the selection of suitable habitat, construction of planting standards and directional cultivation of medicinal materials in A. membranceus var. mongholicus.

Inhibitory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating FoxO3a /Wnt signaling pathway

Abstract Purpose: To investigate inhibitory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating FoxO3a/Wnt2 signaling pathway. Methods: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) animal model was developed by excising the bilateral ovaries of rats. The model rats were administered with APS (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg) by intragastric administration once daily for 12 weeks. Bone density, bone metabolism index and oxidative stress index were measured in all groups. Furthermore, the regulation of APS of FoxO3a / Wnt2 signaling pathway was observed. Results: APS has an estrogen-like effect, which can increase bone mass, lower serum ALP and BGP values, increase blood calcium content, and increase bone density of the femur and vertebrae in rats. At the same time, APS can increase the bone mineral content of the femur, increase the maximum stress, maximum load and elastic modulus of the ovariectomized rats, improve oxidative stress in rats by increasing the gene expression of β-catenin and Wnt2 mRNA and inhibiting the gene expression of FoxO3a mRNA. Conclusion: Astragalus polysaccharide can effectively alleviate oxidative stress-mediated osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, which may be related to its regulation of FoxO3a/Wnt2/β-catenin pathway.

Short-term water changes response of saponin biosynthesis process in Astragalus membranceus / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed to explore the effect of different water on the content of total saponins,astragaloside Ⅳ and gene expression in the growth of Astragalus membranceus. In this study, one-year-old A. membranaceus was used as the experimental material, by pot culture different water treatments were simulated at herbal garden in Jilin Agricultural University. The content of astragaloside Ⅳ was determined by HPLC and the total saponins by UV spectrophotometry. With 18 S RNA as a reference gene, fluorescent quantitative PCR was applied to analyze the eight key enzymes in astragalus saponin synthesis pathway AACT,HMGS,HMGR,IDI,FPS,SS,SE,CAS expression. With the decrease of soil water, the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in the root tissue of A. membranaceus showed an increasing trend, up to 1.46 mg·g~(-1). The total saponin content tended to increase, up to 6.80 mg·g~(-1). The results of relative expression of genes showed that the eight genes showed different effects at different water. With the change of soil water content, the amount of(AACT,IDI,SS) relative expression in drought stress group firstly increased and then decreased, then increased, and then decreased. The amount of(HMGS,HMGR,FPS) relative expression in drought stress group increased firstly and then decreased. The amount of(SE,CAS) relative expression in drought stress group increased firstly and then decreased, and continued to decrease after rehydration. The expression of key enzyme genes involved in the synthesis of astragaloside was influenced by each other, and the expression of key enzyme in roots showed a correlation with the content of astragaloside. Correlation analysis showed that there was a very significant positive correlation between HMGR gene and total saponins content in drought stress group and a significant negative correlation between content of CAS and total saponins. The contents of FPS,SE,CAS and astragaloside Ⅳ were very significantly and negative correlated. The relationship between other genes and quality was positive. Therefore, HMGR, FPS, SE and CAS genes have significant effects on the regulation of saponin content under water control. On the 15 th day after water regulation, the total amount of astragaloside and total saponins reached the highest value and could be harvested.

Research progress and secondary development ideas of Astragali Radix polysaccharides for injection / 中国中药杂志

Astragali Radix( AR) polysaccharide for injection( Guoyao Zhunzi Z20040086) is a traditional Chinese medicine for intravenous powder injection developed by Shanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in early 1990 s by taking advantage of AR resources in Shanxi province. The effective parts of AR polysaccharides were obtained by advanced technology. The hemogram of patients with radiotherapy and chemotherapy showed alleviations in clinic. However,due to the technical bottleneck in separation of the complex polysaccharides mixture and the difficulties in accurate measurement of the polysaccharide structures,the pharmacodynamic mechanism of the drug remained unclear,and the side effect was hard to control. In recent years,the theoretical studies for polysaccharide receptors have indicated that when polysaccharides bound to protein receptors,only the oligosaccharide fragments of the polysaccharide molecule bound to the receptors,and one or more active sites of oligosaccharide fragments may existed in the polysaccharide molecule.Therefore,the active center of polysaccharides can be studied based on the level of oligosaccharides through degradation of the polysaccharides,which provided a new strategy for breaking through the bottleneck in polysaccharide structure determination. Therefore,this paper reviews the current status of studies for AR polysaccharides for injection,the polysaccharide receptors theory and successful cases,in order to propose the secondary development ideas of AR polysaccharides for injection. The study results will lay a material foundation for the development of new drugs of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine,and provide a basis for the resolution of international difficulties in quality control of polysaccharide drugs and molecular models,so as to further study of glycobiology,and enrich the polysaccharide receptors theory.