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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Immunotherapy with Chinese medicinal herbs. I. Immune restoration of local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction in cancer patients by fractionated Astragalus membranaceus in vitro.

The in vitro immunomodulatory activity of fractions derived from Astragalus membranaceus, an herb commonly used in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, was first screened by studying their individual effects on mononuclear cells (MNC) derived from healthy normal donors using the local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction (XGVHR). Sephacryl S-200 column-separated Fraction 3 (MW 20,000-25,000) along with its crude extract precursor, Fraction 7, and another crude extract derivative, Fraction 8, were equally augmentative (p less than 0.05) in their effect on MNC from normal donors. These three active fractions were further studied on MNC derived from 13 cancer patients. Using again the local XGVHR as a model assay for T-cell function, preincubation of MNC derived from cancer patients with Fraction 3 induced a significant increase in local XGVHR (compared to untreated cells) with a mean +/- SD of 151.34 +/- 46.02 mm3 vs 57.80 +/- 16.44 mm3; p less than 0.001. Fractions 7 and 8 likewise induced significant increases in local XGVHR (109.14 +/- 19.32 mm3 versus 50.91 +/- 17.39 mm3; p less than 0.001 and 119.74 +/- 18.33 mm3 versus 48.77 +/- 16.17 mm3; p less than 0.001, respectively). The augmented immune reactions which were induced by either Fraction 3 or Fraction 8 (but not by Fraction 7) in MNC derived from cancer patients, each significantly exceeded the local XGVHR observed in the untreated MNC derived from normal donor controls with a relative reference index (ratio) of 1.60 +/- 0.48 and 1.23 +/- 0.17 respectively; p less than 0.005.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1983

Preliminary observations on the effects of the Chinese medicinal herbs Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum on lymphocyte blastogenic responses.

The biological effects of extracts of two Chinese medicinal herbs, Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum, on in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis were assessed. Aqueous extracts augmented the spontaneous [3H]thymidine incorporation in the mononuclear cells (MNC) of 14 normal subjects from 273.0 to 609.3 counts per minute (cpm) and 252.9 to 656.9 cpm for the two herbs, respectively. The stimulation indices were 2.4 and 3.1, respectively (p less than 0.001). They also augmented the proliferation of normal subjects' lymphocytes induced by suboptimal concentrations of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) from 5084.6 to 23,398.3 and 221.7 to 24,132.8 cpm, of concanavalin A (con A) from 4046.5 to 15,661.5 and 677.6 to 14,644.6 cpm, and of pokeweed mitogen (PWM) from 4377.9 to 24,405.6 and 322.7 to 11,730.0 cpm, respectively (p less than 0.00). Herb extracts augmented the PHA responses of the MNC from 14 cancer patients significantly (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). Extracts of L. lucidum also augmented the con A response of patients (p less than 0.05). The augmenting effect of the herbs on the PHA, con A, and PWM responses was dose dependent, and proliferation was inhibited at higher concentrations. The optimal concentration for stimulating the MNC of cancer patients was 100 micrograms/ml, compared to 10 micrograms/ml for the MNC of normal donors. MNC of seven patients depressed the mitogen responses of normal cells in a co-culture system. This was partially abrogated in five by preincubating the patients' cells in herb extracts for 45 min or by irradiation of the patients' cells. These results suggest that the herb extracts contain immunomodulatory components which may be useful in the immunotherapy of disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with viral myocarditis].

The efficacy of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) oral liquor combined with routine therapy and routine therapy alone on T-lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood in viral myocarditis patients have been studied. The results showed that the T-lymphocyte subsets profile and OKT4/OKT8 ratio of peripheral blood were significantly lower in viral myocarditis patients than that in healthy control (P < 0.05, 0.01). Routine therapy combined with AM could significantly enhance OKT3, OKT4 and OKT4/OKT8 ratio in the above-mentioned patients (P < 0.05, 0.01). The possible pharmacodynamic mechanism of improved cell immunity in viral myocarditis patients by combining routine therapy with AM was discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Effects of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular function and oxygen free radical in acute myocardial infarction patients and mechanism of its cardiotonic action].

Dynamic observations for 4 weeks were made on left ventricular function and oxygen free radical (OFR) in 43 patients first suffering from acute myocardial infarction and hospitalized in Coronary Care Unit with an attack less than 36 hours. The results showed that the Astragalus membranaceus (AM) could strengthen the left ventricular function and had an effect of anti-OFR. After administration of AM, the ratio of pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) was decreased, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of red blood cell was increased, and the lipid peroxidation (LPO) content of plasma was reduced. There was a significant difference between the AM group and the control group in the parameters above-mentioned. The study demonstrated that the PEP/LVET ratio was closely correlated with the SOD and LPO. It suggested that the anti-OFR effect of AM was one of the mechanisms of its cardiotonic action.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Comparison of effect of Astragalus membranaceus and huoxuefang on thromboxane, prostacyclin and adenosine cyclic monophosphate in cerebral reperfusion injury in rabbits].

The cerebral ischemia rabbit model was made by using the occlusion of four vessels. The results showed that TXB2 and cAMP contents in brain tissues and the latter in plasma markedly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in brain tissues significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in ischemia formed 30 minutes and 45 minutes after reperfusion. After intravenous injection of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) extracts (3.3 g/kg), Huoxuefang (HXFO and Yiqi Houxue Fang (YQHXF) consisted of AM and HXF before ischemia, the marked increase of TXB2 contents after reperfusion was inhibited (P < 0.05) and the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in brain tissues after reperfusion were increased (P < 0.01) in HXF and YQHXF group, which change the AM extracts didn't have (P < 0.05). HXF could markedly inhibit the increase of cAMP in brain tissues after reperfusion P < 0.05), while the AM extracts and YQHXF couldn't (P > 0.05). All above-mentioned suggested that the above-mentioned suggested that the balance disorder of TXA2/PGI2 in brain tissues might participate in the occurrence of cerebral reperfusion injury and YQHXF might act against this injury by means of improving the balance of TXA2/PGI2 in brain tissues, which was mainly released by HX drugs of it.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1994

[Effect and mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus on coxsackie B3 virus RNA in mice].

Using Balb/c mice infected with Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) as a model, the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on CVB3-RNA has been observed in myocardial tissues of mice by RNA-RNA in situ hybridization with negative-strand RNA probes leballing with 35S and quantitative imaging analysis of positive hybridization signals. The mechanism of its effect on CVB3-RNA has also been investigated by induction with AM and detection of beta-interferon (beta-IFN). Results showed that the copy numbers of CVB3-RNA as well as the histologic necrotic sizes in myocardial tissues of AM treated infected mice were significantly smaller than that in infected normal saline treated mice (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) respectively, suggesting that AM could inhibit the replication of CVB3-RNA, but its effect on CVB3-RNA was not correlated with induction of beta-IFN.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical observation on the treatment of ischemic heart disease with Astragalus membranaceus].

92 patients suffering from ischemic heart disease was successfully treated with Astragalus membranaceus (AM). The effect of the treatment was compared with that of Nifedipine and Tab. Salviae miltiorrhizae. The clinical practice showed that the group treated with AM yielded better results. After having administered the drug, the patients were markedly relieved from angina pectoris (heart stroke). Meanwhile the improvement of clinical objective index such as electrocardiogram (EKG) and impedance cardiogram can also be observed. The effective rate of EKG improvement was 82.6%. The treatment of ischemic heart disease with AM was significantly more effective in comparing with control group (P < 0.05).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Action of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular function of angina pectoris].

The action on left ventricular function of Astragalus Membranaceus (AM), a Qi-tonic, in 20 patients with angina pectoris was studied by means of Doppler Echocardiogram (DEC). It showed that cardiac output increased from 5.09 +/- 0.21 to 5.95 +/- 0.18 L/min 2 weeks after AM was administered (P < 0.01), and no improvement of left ventricular diastolic function appeared. Adenosine triphosphatase activity was not inhibited by using AM, which was different from that of digitalis.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1994

[Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on electrophysiological activities of acute experimental Coxsackie B3 viral myocarditis in mice].

A murine model for observing the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on electrophysiological activity of the right ventricular myocardium was developed in 4 week-old male BALB/c mice infected with Coxsackie B3 virus (CB3V). The conventional microelectrode technique and real-time microcomputer data processor system was used. The survival rate in infected-AM treated mice was significantly higher and the percentage of abnormal action potential was much lower than those in control mice (P < 0.05 and < 0.01 respectively). Some abnormal electrophysiological parameters, such as APA, OS and Vmax in infected myocardium were found to be improved by AM treatment. Single dose of AM did not show beneficial effect in murine myocardium infected with CB3V. The results suggested that AM might be valuable in the prevention and treatment of acute myocarditis involving Coxsackie B3 virus.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

[The in vitro potentiation of LAK cell cytotoxicity in cancer and aids patients induced by F3--a fractionated extract of Astragalus membranaceus].

The in vitro induction of LAK cell activity was studied in cancer and AIDS patients. F3, an immuno-regulatory component of Astragalus membranaceus was shown capable of potentiating the LAK cell inducing activity of rIL-2. The killing activity against Hs294T melanoma cell line of LAK cells induced by 50 U/ml rIL-2 in the presence of F3 (55 micrograms/ml) reached 64% which was comparable to that (60%) induced by 500 u/ml of rIL-2 alone. With F3 plus rIL-2, the effector to target cell ratio could be reduced to one-half in order to obtain an equivalent level of cytotoxicity when rIL-2 was used alone. In some patients, whose peripheral blood lymphocytes were relatively inert to rIL-2, F3 could make them responsive to rIL-2. These results imply that F3 may be useful to potentiate LAK cell activity, reduce the amount of rIL-2 and thus minimize the later's toxic side effects when used in vivo.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1993

Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on electrophysiological activities of acute experimental Coxsackie B-3 viral myocarditis in mice.

A murine model for observing the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on electrophysiological action of the right ventricular myocardium was developed in 4-week-old male BALB/c mice infected with coxsackie B-3 virus (CB3V). The conventional microelectrode technique and a real-time data processor system were used. The survival rate in AM-treated mice was much higher and the percentage of abnormal action potential was much lower than those in infected control mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). Some abnormal electrophysiological parameters, such as APA, OS and Vmax, in infected myocardium were found to be improved by AM treatment. The results suggest that AM may be valuable in the prevention and treatment of acute viral myocarditis involving coxsackie B viruses.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1993

[Positive modulating action of shengmaisan with Astragalus membranaceus on anti-tumor activity of LAK cells].

Enhancing the anti-tumor activity of LAK cells is one of problems which are expected to be solved in tumor clinic at present. The effects of Shengmaisan with Astragalus membranaceus (SMAM) on anti-tumor activity of LAK cells with the 3H release assay were studied. The LAK cells taken from 43 persons showed obvious killing activity to acute leukemia cells from 8 patients in different types. The results showed that the activity of LAK cells could be enhanced markedly by the synergic action of SMAM in proper concentration (100 micrograms/ml) with IL-2. The effect of ginsenoside with appropriate concentration (10 micrograms/ml) was slightly better than that of SMAM. The treatment for malignant tumor using SMAM assisting LAK cells could replace the application of some cell factors which were expensive and toxic at present.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on myoelectric activity of small intestine].

Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is one of the important Chinese medicinal herbs which are widely used and well known for its invigoration of vital energy. In the present experiment, the cycle duration of interdigestive myoelectric complex (IDMEC) and the durations of every phase were observed electrophysiologically before and after the 25% concentrated solution (1 ml/kg) was instilled into the empty stomach of the healthy, awakened dog. Signals of IDMEC were recorded by microcomputer. No significant change was found in duodenum in each criteria except for phase which became slightly longer (P < 0.05). While in jejunum the shortening of phase I and the prolonging of phase II were both significant (P < 0.01) and the cycle duration was also extended (P < 0.05) as well as increase of action potential on phase II and within the cycle (P < 0.05), with phase III and IV remained unchanged (P > 0.05). These results indicated that AM could strengthen the movement and muscle tonus in intestine (esp. in jejunum) and might serve as the scientific evidences to elucidate the effects of AM on the movements in digestive tracts.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The inhibitory effect of astragalus membranaceus on coxsackie B-3 virus RNA replication.

Using mice infected with coxsackie B-3 virus (CVB3) as a viral myocarditis model, we observed the inhibitory effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on CVB3-RNA replication in myocardial tissue of mice by RNA-RNA in situ hybridization with negative-strand RNA probes labelled with 35S and quantitative imaging analysis of positive signals. The mechanism of its effect on CVB3-RNA replication has been investigated by detection of beta-interferon (beta-IFN) as well. Results showed that the copy numbers of CVB3-RNA as well as the histologic scores (necrosis) in myocardial tissues of infected-AM treated mice were significantly lower than those in infected and normal saline treated mice, suggesting that AM could inhibit the replication of CVB3-RNA, but its effect on CVB3-RNA replication had no correlation with induction of beta-IFN.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Ca2+ influx and coxsackie virus B3 RNA replication in cultured neonatal rat heart cells].

The effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on Ca2+ influx across the myocardial plasma membrane and coxsackie virus B3(CVB3)-RNA replication in cultured neonatal rat heart cells infected with CVB3 was investigated. It was found that the Ca2+ influx could be inhibited significantly (P < 0.01) by AM after infection of heart cells for 48 h. In addition, when the cultured heart cells infected with CVB3 and treated with AM for 48 h, the Ca2+ influx of infected heart cells also could be inhibited by AM (P < 0.05) and the amounts of CVB3-RNA in myocytes were significantly decreased than that in infected control group (P < 0.001). These phenomena suggested that AM could exert the effects of decreasing the secondary Ca2+ damages, and improving the abnormal myocardial electric activity, and inhibiting replication of CVB3-RNA in myocardium. Thus, it is a rational choice to treat patients with AM in viral myocarditis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Nuclear cardiology study on effective ingredients of Astragalus membranaceus in treating heart failure].

UNLABELLED: The experimental study has testified that among the various effective constituents gained from Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is the main component. Nineteen patients with heart congestive failure were treated with effective ingredient of AM, the astragaloside IV (XGA) injection. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of treatment the symptoms of chest distress, dispnea in 15 patients was alleviated, their capability of exercise reinforced. Radionuclide ventriculography showed that left ventricular modelling improved, left ventricular end-diastolic volume diminished by 11.74 +/- 18.39 ml, left ventricular end-systolic volume by 9.35 +/- 18.01 ml, with statistical significance. HR slowed from 88.21 +/- 17.19 to 64.55 +/- 13.06 beats/min, P < 0.05; PER increased from 1.80 +/- 0.86 to 1.95 +/- 0.85 u/second, P < 0.05. Left ventricular EF, PFR increased also at some extent without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Effective ingredient of AM, XGA injection is efficient positive inotropic drug, and could improve the left ventricular modelling and ejection function in patients with congestive heart failure after continuous administration of XGA injection for two weeks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Extract of astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression.

There is increasing evidence that many Chinese medicinal herbs are promising biological response modifiers in cancer treatment. The extract of some Chinese herbs have shown ability in stimulating the bone marrow and improving the peripheral white cell counts in rats. We studied the effect of a dried extract of two commonly used Chinese herbs, Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Ligustrum lucidum (LL) on cytotoxic-induced myelosuppression. Wistar rats weighing 250-300g each were divided into two groups of 12. Both groups were given cyclophosphamide intravenously at 75 mg/kg on day 1 of the study. Rats in the study group were fed 240 mg of crude extract of AM and LL from day 1 to day 12 of study. The daily absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and the platelet count were monitored. There was no difference between the study and the control group in terms of nadir count, time to nadir and time to recovery for both the ANC and the platelet counts. The duration of neutropenia (ANC < 1.0 x 10(9)/L) was also similar in both groups. Our results showed that the extract of AM and LL does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1999

Acquisition of selenium tolerance by a selenium non-accumulating Astragalus species via selection.

Selection of cultured cells of the selenium sensitive and non-accumulating Astragalus cicer for tolerance to stepwise increasing concentrations of selenite in the medium lead to a variant able to grow at 75 microM selenite. The Se-tolerant culture synthesized a selenocysteine methyltransferase immunologically related but not identical to that of the accumulating A. bisulcatus species and produced Se-methyl-selenocysteine in vivo. Re-cultivation in selenium-free medium lead to breakdown of tolerance and the disappearance of the methyltransferase from cellular proteins. The results prove that the non-accumulating species A. cicer has the cryptic capacity for synthesis of a selenocysteine methyltransferase and also demonstrate that synthesis of the organoselenium compounds in Se-accumulating plants are contributing to selenium tolerance.

Blotting, Western↗