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PubMed2004

Acetals of three new cycloartane-type saponins from Egyptian collections of Astragalus tomentosus.

Three new cycloartane-type saponin ethyl acetals, deacetyltomentoside I (2), tomentoside III (3), and tomentoside IV (4), were isolated along with the known acetal tomentoside I (1) from the aerial parts of Astragalus tomentosus of Egyptian origin. The saponins from which the acetals are most probably derived are also new compounds. The structures of the acetals were established as 6alpha-hydroxy-23alpha-ethoxy-16beta,23(R)-epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-9,19-cyclolanosta-3-O-beta-d-xyloside (2), 6alpha-acetoxy-23alpha-ethoxy-16beta,23(R)-epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-9,19-cyclolanosta-3-O-[beta-d-(4'-trans-2-butenoyl)]xyloside (3), and 6alpha-acetoxy-23alpha-ethoxy-16beta,23(R)-epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-9,19-cyclolanosta-3-O-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 2)]-beta-d-xyloside (4), by detailed spectroscopic and chemical studies.

Acetals↗
PubMed2003

Astragaloside IV and polysaccharide production by hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus in bioreactors.

Hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus were grown in bioreactors up to 30 l for 20 d. Cultures from a 30 l airlift bioreactor gave 11.5 g l dry wt with 1.4 mg g(-1) astragaloside IV, similar to cultures from 250 ml and 1 l flasks, but greater than yields from a 10 l bioreactor (dry wt 9.4 g l(-1), astragaloside IV 0.9 mg g(-1)). Polysaccharide yields were similar amongst the different bioreactors (range 25-32 mg g(-1)). The active constituent content of the cells approached that of plant extracts, indicating that large scale hairy root cultures of A. membranaceus has the potential to provide an alternative to plant crops without compromising yield or pharmacological potential.

Astragalus propinquus↗
PubMed2006

Promotion of axonal maturation and prevention of memory loss in mice by extracts of Astragalus mongholicus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neurons with atrophic neurites may remain alive and therefore may have the potential to regenerate even when neuronal death has occurred in some parts of the brain. This study aimed to explore effects of drugs that can facilitate the regeneration of neurites and the reconstruction of synapses even in severely damaged neurons. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We investigated the effects of extracts of Astragalus mongholicus on the cognitive defect in mice caused by injection with the amyloid peptide Abeta(25-35). We also examined the effect of the extract on the regeneration of neurites and the reconstruction of synapses in cultured neurons damaged by Abeta(25-35). KEY RESULTS: A. mongholicus extract (1 g kg(-1) day(-1) for 15 days, p.o.) reversed Abeta(25-35)-induced memory loss and prevented the loss of axons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in mice. Treatment with Abeta(25-35) (10 microM) induced axonal atrophy and synaptic loss in cultured rat cortical neurons. Subsequent treatment with A. mongholicus extract (100 microg/ml) resulted in significant axonal regeneration, reconstruction of neuronal synapses, and prevention of Abeta(25-35)-induced neuronal death. Similar extracts of A. membranaceus had no effect on axonal atrophy, synaptic loss, or neuronal death. The major known components of the extracts (astragalosides I, II, and IV) reduced neurodegeneration, but the activity of the extracts did not correlate with their content of these three astragalosides. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: A. mongholicus is an important candidate for the treatment of memory disorders and the main active constituents may not be the known astragalosides.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗
PubMed2006

Astragaloside IV from Astragalus membranaceus shows cardioprotection during myocardial ischemia in vivo and in vitro.

Astragaloside IV is the major active constituent of Astragalus membranaceus, which has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the effects of astragaloside IV on myocardial ischemia and its mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. In this study, we have examined the effects of astragaloside IV on myocardial infarction and coronary flow in vivo and in vitro. The possible roles of its antioxidative and nitric oxide-inducing properties were also explored. Astragaloside IV significantly reduced infarct size in dogs subjected to coronary ligation in vivo. Astragaloside IV also improved post-ischemic heart function and ameliorated reperfusion arrhythmias in rat hearts in vitro. The cardioprotection of astragaloside IV was accompanied by a significant increase in coronary flow both in vivo and in vitro. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nomega-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester partially abrogated astragaloside IV's protective effect on heart function. Myocardial antioxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase activity increased with astragaloside IV administration. These data suggest the potential roles of antioxidative and nitric oxide-inducing properties of astragaloside IV in its protection from myocardial ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Thirteen nodule-specific or nodule-enhanced genes encoding products homologous to cysteine cluster proteins or plant lipid transfer proteins are identified in Astragalus sinicus L. by suppressive subtractive hybridization.

Thirteen nodule-specific or nodule-enhanced genes have been revealed by suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) with two mRNA populations of infected and uninfected control roots of Astragalus sinicus. Eleven of them encode small polypeptides showing homology to cysteine cluster proteins (CCPs) that contain a putative signal peptide and conserved cysteine residues. Among these CCP-like genes, AsG257 codes for a homologue of the defensin 2 family and AsD255 contains a scorpion toxin-like domain at the C-terminus. Sequence analysis of a genomic AsD255 fragment which was isolated revealed that one intron separates the first exon encoding the signal peptide from the second exon encoding the cysteine cluster domain of this nodulin. Another two genes, AsE246 and AsIB259, encode two different products similar to lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). Virtual northern blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that the other genes except AsIB259 and AsC2411 were expressed exclusively in inoculated roots and that their expression was 2-4 d later than that of the leghaemoglobin (Lb) gene during nodule development. Transcription of AsIB259 was also detected in uninfected control roots but with a significant decline in expression and a temporal expression similar to Lb. AsC2411 had a basal expression in control roots identified by RT-PCR. Sequence alignment showed that the putative proteins AsE246 and AsIB259 show lower homology with LTPs from legumes than with those from other plants.

Alphaproteobacteria↗
PubMed2004

Mesorhizobium septentrionale sp. nov. and Mesorhizobium temperatum sp. nov., isolated from Astragalus adsurgens growing in the northern regions of China.

Ninety-five rhizobial strains isolated from Astragalus adsurgens growing in the northern regions of China were classified into three main groups, candidate species I, II and III, based on a polyphasic approach. Comparative analysis of full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences of representative strains showed that candidate species I and II were Mesorhizobium, while candidate species III, which consisted of non-nodulating strains, was closely related to Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The phylogenetic relationships of the three candidate species and some related strains were also confirmed by the sequencing of glnA genes, which were used as an alternative chromosomal marker. The DNA-DNA relatedness was between 11.3 and 47.1 % among representative strains of candidate species I and II and the type strains of defined Mesorhizobium species. Candidate III had DNA relatedness of between 4.3 and 25.2 % with type strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rubi. Two novel species are proposed to accommodate candidate species I and II, Mesorhizobium septentrionale sp. nov. (type strain, SDW014(T)=CCBAU 11014(T)=HAMBI 2582(T)) and Mesorhizobium temperatum sp. nov. (type strain, SDW018(T)=CCBAU 11018(T)=HAMBI 2583(T)), respectively. At least two distinct nodA sequences were identified among the strains. The numerically dominant nodA sequence type was most similar to that from the Mesorhizobium tianshanense type strain and was identified in strains belonging to the two novel species as well as other, as yet, undefined genome types. Host range studies indicate that the different nodA sequences correlate with different host ranges. Further comparative studies with the defined Agrobacterium species are needed to clarify the taxonomic identity of candidate species III.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed2003

Chemical form and distribution of selenium and sulfur in the selenium hyperaccumulator Astragalus bisulcatus.

In its natural habitat, Astragalus bisulcatus can accumulate up to 0.65% (w/w) selenium (Se) in its shoot dry weight. X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to examine the selenium biochemistry of A. bisulcatus. High concentrations of the nonprotein amino acid Se-methylseleno-cysteine (Cys) are present in young leaves of A. bisulcatus, but in more mature leaves, the Se-methylseleno-Cys concentration is lower, and selenate predominates. Seleno-Cys methyltransferase is the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of Se-methylseleno-Cys from seleno-Cys and S-methyl-methionine. Seleno-Cys methyltransferase is found to be expressed in A. bisulcatus leaves of all ages, and thus the biosynthesis of Se-methylseleno-Cys in older leaves is limited earlier in the metabolic pathway, probably by an inability to chemically reduce selenate. A comparative study of sulfur (S) and Se in A. bisulcatus using x-ray absorption spectroscopy indicates similar trends for oxidized and reduced Se and S species, but also indicates that the proportions of these differ significantly. These results also indicate that sulfate and selenate reduction are developmentally correlated, and they suggest important differences between S and Se biochemistries.

Astragalus Plant↗
PubMed2006

Spatial imaging, speciation, and quantification of selenium in the hyperaccumulator plants Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata.

Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata hyperaccumulate selenium (Se) up to 1% of plant dry weight. In the field, Se was mostly present in the young leaves and reproductive tissues of both hyperaccumulators. Microfocused scanning x-ray fluorescence mapping revealed that Se was hyperaccumulated in trichomes in young leaves of A. bisulcatus. None of 10 other elements tested were accumulated in trichomes. Micro x-ray absorption spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that Se in trichomes was present in the organic forms methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys; 53%) and gamma-glutamyl-MeSeCys (47%). In the young leaf itself, there was 30% inorganic Se (selenate and selenite) in addition to 70% MeSeCys. In young S. pinnata leaves, Se was highly concentrated near the leaf edge and surface in globular structures that were shown by energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis to be mainly in epidermal cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed both MeSeCys (88%) and selenocystathionine (12%) inside leaf edges. In contrast, both the Se accumulator Brassica juncea and the nonaccumulator Arabidopsis thaliana accumulated Se in their leaf vascular tissues and mesophyll cells. Se in hyperaccumulators appears to be mobile in both the xylem and phloem because Se-treated S. pinnata was found to be highly toxic to phloem-feeding aphids, and MeSeCys was present in the vascular tissues of a S. pinnata young leaf petiole as well as in guttation fluid. The compartmentation of organic selenocompounds in specific storage areas in the plant periphery appears to be a unique property of Se hyperaccumulators. The high concentration of Se in the plant periphery may contribute to Se tolerance and may also serve as an elemental plant defense mechanism.

Astragalus Plant↗
PubMed1992

Astragalus membranaceus stimulates human sperm motility in vitro.

Poor sperm motility is an important cause of male infertility. In an attempt to identify Chinese medicinal herbs that might improve human sperm motility in vitro, we screened water extracts of 18 herbs with a trans-membrane migration method which measured the percentage of sperm that moved across the 5 micron pores of a Nucleopore membrane from a semen-drug mixture into phosphate buffered saline during 2 hours incubation. Astragalus membranaceus was the only herb that showed a significant stimulatory effect. At 10 mg/ml, it increased the motility of sperm in semen to 146.6 +/- 22.6% of control. It also increased the motility of washed sperm to 138.2 +/- 13.8% of control. Purification of the active component(s) from this herb as well as its application in assisted reproduction technology await further investigation.

Astragalus propinquus↗
PubMed1995

Effects of compound injection of Pyrola rotundifolia L and Astragalus membranaceus Bge on experimental guinea pigs' gentamicin ototoxicity.

In attempting to find drugs effective in preventing and remedying ototoxic injury caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics, we relied on the theory that the induction of ototoxic injury by aminoglycoside antibiotics is related to a decrease of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and RNA content in the cochlea or a dysfunction of the kidney. We selected Pyrola rotundifolia L and Astragalus membranaceus Bge from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, made a compound injection of them, and observed the effect on the pattern of gentamicin ototoxicity in guinea pigs. By electrocochleography and morphology by scanning electron microscopy, the experimental results indicated that the Chinese herbal compound possessed the definite effect of protecting the guinea pig cochlea. The determination of blood urea nitrogen, urinary N-acetyl-D-aminoglucosidase, and urinary protein and observation of renal morphology showed that it also protected the kidney against nephrotoxic nephritis of gentamicin. The conjecture that protection of the kidney by the Chinese herbs may be one of the important factors in preventing ototoxicity supports some explanations of ototoxic mechanisms induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2003

Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: a review.

Traditional herbal medicine provides several remedies for strengthening the body's resistance to illness through effects on immune system components. This review article examines 3 popular herbal immune stimulants that are often of interest to cancer patients. Echinacea, a native of North America, is widely used to prevent, or provide early treatment for, colds. Preclinical studies lend biological plausibility to the idea that echinacea works through immune mechanisms. Numerous clinical trials have been carried out on echinacea preparations: it appears that the extracts shorten the duration and severity of colds and other upper respiratory infections (URIs) when given as soon as symptoms become evident. However, trials of long-term use of echinacea as a preventive have not shown positive results. Ginseng has been studied in some depth as an antifatigue agent, but studies of immune mechanisms have not proceeded so far. Preclinical evidence shows some immune-stimulating activity. There have been several clinical trials in a variety of different diseases. Astragalus is the least-studied agent. There are some preclinical trials that show intriguing immune activity. The herbs discussed appear to have satisfactory safety profiles. Cancer patients may wish to use these botanicals to inhibit tumor growth or to boost resistance to infections. However, passive immunotherapy with herbs, with no mechanism to expose tumor antigens, is unlikely to be effective in inhibiting tumor growth. Although the margin of safety for these herbs is large, more research is needed to demonstrate the clear value of using herbs to improve resistance to infections.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Trojanosides I-K: new cycloartane-type glycosides from the aerial parts of Astragalus trojanus.

Three new cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides have been isolated from the aerial parts of Astragalus trojanus. The structures were established mainly by a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques [1H-1H-correlation spectroscopy (COSY), 1H-13C-heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation spectroscopy (HMQC), and 1H-13C-heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation spectroscopy (HMBC)] and high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) as 3-O-beta-(2',3'-di-O-acetyl)-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-16-O- acetoxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane-3beta,6alpha,16beta,25-tetrol, 3-0-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-(3',4'-di-O-acetyl)-D-xylopyranosyll-6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane-3p,6alpha,16beta,25-tetrol, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-6,16-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(R)24(S)-epoxycycloartane-3beta,6alpha,16beta,25-tetrol.

Astragalus Plant↗
PubMed2006

The antioxidative effects of astragalus saponin I protect against development of early diabetic nephropathy.

It has been known that oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The antioxidative effects of Astragalus saponin I (AS I) were studied in vitro and in vivo. In the presence of high glucose and H2O2, the total antioxidative capability, catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase level of rat mesangial cells were significantly decreased, and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA level, collagen IV, and laminin level were significantly increased. When compared with those in the high glucose group, these 4 indexes of cells incubated in 2.0 and/or 20 micromol/L of AS I were significantly enhanced, and levels of TGF-beta1 mRNA, collagen IV and laminin were statistically decreased. By flowcytomery, percentages of S phase of cells incubated in high glucose and H2O2 were lowered, while those in AS I were increased. Furthermore, the physical behaviors of rats treated with 12 mg/kg of AS I restored with vigor and weight gaining, while the level of HbAlC was significantly reduced. Thus, AS I has antioxidative effects and is a potential compound worth further study because it may prevent the development of DN.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Effects of exercise in the growing stage in mice and of Astragalus membranaceus on immune functions].

A study was carried out to examine the effects of forced running exercise in the growing stage in male ICR mice and of Astragalus membranaceus (As) on their immune functions. The mice were divided at 4 weeks of age into 4 groups. The first group of mice received forced running exercise (E-group), the second group was given As (As-group), the third group received the forced running exercise and was given As (E+As-group) and the fourth group was a control receiving no treatment. The exercise received was forced running at 15 m/min on a flat floor without any slope for 60min a day. The mice of groups E and E+As were exercised 5 times a week for 12 weeks. The mice of groups As and E+As were given As p. o. at 200 mg/kg per day (5 days/week) for 12 weeks. The results obtained were as follows: 1. After 12 weeks of forced running exercise, the weight of the anterior tibialis muscle and succinate dehydrogenase activity in the anterior tibialis muscle increased significantly in groups E and E+As compared with the control group. Thymus weight showed a tendency to increase in groups E and E+As as compared with the control group. 2. The potentiation of the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system examined by the carbon clearance method was seen in groups E, As and E+As. 3. Superoxide anion production of peritoneal macrophages significantly increased in groups As and E+As, but not in group E. 4. The acid phosphatase activity of peritoneal macrophages in groups E, As and E+As significantly increased compared with the control group. 5. Interleukin 1 production by macrophages remained in all groups. 6. The proliferation of splenocytes induced by Con A in groups E, As and E+As significantly increased compared with the control group. These results suggested that forced running exercise in the growing stage in mice and the administration of As enhanced immune functions and that they might also intensify the functioning of the host defense system.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibacterial diterpenoids from Astragalus brachystachys.

Antibacterial bioassay guided fractionation of acetone extracts of Astragalus brachystachys resulted in isolation of sclareol and two related labdane-type diterpenoids, 14R-epoxysclareol and 6beta-hydroxysclareol. The antibacterial activity of the isolated compounds was measured and it was deduced that the epoxidation at the double bond of sclareol or hydroxylation at C-6 decreased the activity of the resulting compounds. Salvigenin (5-hydroxy-4',6,7-trimethoxyflavone) was also separated from this plant for the first time.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Genomic diversity of Astragalus cicer microsymbionts revealed by AFLP fingerprinting.

DNA polymorphism among 36 Astragalus cicer nodule isolates and 9 reference mesorhizobia was evaluated by a simplified PstI based AFLP procedure with three selective primers: Pst-A, Pst-G, and Pst-GC. The DNA profiles were found to be highly specific for nearly each strain, although DNA bands characteristic for most A. cicer microsymbionts were also noted. The overall topologies of dendrograms, generated by AFLP patterns in PCR reaction with three primers, were very similar to one another and to that constructed by phenotyping. Also the strain compositions in the particular clusters on pheno- and genomograms were in good agreement. The obtained results indicate that AFLP technique can be a useful tool for typing of A. cicer rhizobia as well as for studying their diversity.

Astragalus Plant↗
PubMed2003

Grazing of spotted locoweed (Astragalus lentiginosus) by cattle and horses in Arizona.

Spotted locoweed (Astragalus lentiginosus var. diphysus) is a toxic, perennial plant that may, if sufficient precipitation occurs, dominate the herbaceous vegetation of pinyon-juniper woodlands on the Colorado Plateau. Six cow/calf pairs and four horses grazed a 20-ha pasture with dense patches of locoweed in eastern Arizona during spring 1998. Locoweed density was 0.7 plants/m2 in the pasture. Locoweed averaged 30.4% NDF and 18.4% CP. Concentrations of the locoweed toxin, swainsonine, fluctuated from 1.25 to 2 mg/g in locoweed. Horses ate more (P < 0.01) bites of locoweed than did cows (15.4 and 5.1% of bites, respectively). Horses generally increased locoweed consumption over time since they ate approximately 5% of bites in the preflower stage compared with 25% of bites in the pod stage. Cattle consumed almost no locoweed (< 1% of bites) until the pod stage, when they increased consumption to 15% of bites. Horses were very avid (approximately 65 to 95% of bites) in selecting the small quantities (approximately 40 to 150 kg/ha) of available green grass, and it appeared that their propensity to eat scarce green forage influenced their locoweed consumption as well. Horses ate relatively little dry grass, even when it was abundant, whereas cattle ate large amounts of dry grass until green grasses became more abundant. Calves began eating locoweed on the same day as their dams and ate approximately 20% of their bites as locoweed. Serum concentrations of swainsonine were higher (P < 0.05) in horses than in cattle (433 vs. 170 ng/mL, respectively). Baseline swainsonine was zero in all animals, but swainsonine was rapidly increased to above 800 ng/mL in serum of horses as they ate locoweed. Horses exhibited depression after eating locoweed for about 2 wk; after 5 wk of exposure, horses became anorectic and behaviorally unstable. Although limited in scope, this study indicates that horses should not be exposed to spotted locoweed.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

Effect of Astragalus complanatus flavonoid on anti-liver fibrosis in rats.

AIM: To observe the anti-liver fibrosis effect of Astragalus complanatus flavonoids (ACF) in rats. METHODS: The liver fibrosis model in rats was established by injecting interperitoneally 0.2 mL/100 g 0.5% dimethylnitrosamine, thrice a week. Meanwhile, the rats were administered ACF (30, 60, 120 mg/kg) or colchicine (0.1 mg/kg) once a day for 1 mo. Serum N-propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) and type III procollagen (PIIINP) were measured using ELISA. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hepatic tissue were evaluated. Matrix metal protease-1 (MMP-1) mRNA expression was assayed by RT-PCR and the protein expression of tissue inhibitor of metal protease-1 (TIMP-1) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the ACF groups, SOD activity increased and MDA content decreased in comparison to the liver fibrosis model group. The serum PINP and PIIINP contents in ACF-2 and -3 group decreased compared to those in model group. In ACF-2 and -3 group, the expression of MMP-1 mRNA increased significantly and the protein expression of TIMP-1 decreased compared to that in model group. CONCLUSION: The antifibrotic mechanisms of ACF are associated with its influence on lipid peroxidation and collagen synthesis and degradation.

Animals↗