Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A systematic review of anticancer effects of Radix Astragali

  • Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To review the anticancer effects of Radix astragali (RA), one of the most commonly used herbs to manage cancer in East Asia, and its constituents and to provide evidence of clinical usage through previously performed clinical studies.

Methods

Preclinical and clinical studies related to the anticancer effects of RA were searched from inception to November 2013 in electronic databases. Two reviewers independently investigated 92 eligible studies, extracted all the data of studies and appraised methodological quality of clinical trials. The studies were categorized into in vitro and in vivo experimental studies and clinical studies, and analyzed by saponins, polysaccharides, and flavonoids of RA constituents, RA fraction, and whole extract.

Results

In preclinical studies, RA was reported to have tumor growth inhibitory effects, immunomodulatory effects, and attenuating adverse effects by cytotoxic agents as well as chemopreventive effects. Saponins seemed to be the main constituents, which directly contributed to suppression of tumor growth through the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathway, modulation of intracellular signaling pathway, and inhibition of invasion and angiogenesis. Flavonoids suppressed tumor growth through the similar mechanisms with saponins. Polysaccharides showed immunomodulatory effects, contributing tumor shrinkages in animal models, despite the low cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Most of the clinical studies were performed with low evidence level of study designs because of various limitations. RA whole extracts and polysaccharides of RA were reported to improve the quality of life and ameliorate myelosuppression and other adverse events induced by cytotoxic therapies.

Conclusion

The polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids of RA, and the whole extract of RA have been widely reported with their anticancer effects in preclinical studies and showed a potential application as a adjunctive cancer therapeutics with the activities of immunomodulation, anti-proliferation and attenuation of adverse effects induced by cytotoxic therapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sinclair S. Chinese herbs: a clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and Schizandrae. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:338–344.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bensky D, Gamble A, Chinese herbal medicine: materia medica (Revised ed). Seattle: Eastland Press Inc; 1993:28–29.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Astragalus membranaceus. Monograph. Altern Med Rev 2003;8:72–77.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Huang WM, Liang YQ, Tang LJ, Ding Y, Wang XH. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Astragalus polysaccharide on EA.hy926 cells. Exp Ther Med 2013;6:199–203.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jia R, Cao L, Xu P, Jeney G, Yin G. In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Astragalus polysaccharides against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocyte damage in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish Physiol Biochem 2012;38:871–881.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Yu DH, Bao YM, Wei CL, An LJ. Studies of chemical constituents and their antioxidant activities from Astragalus mongholicus Bunge. Biomed Environ Sci 2005;18:297–301.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Clement-Kruzel S, Hwang SA, Kruzel MC, Dasgupta A, Actor JK. Immune modulation of macrophage proinflammatory response by goldenseal and Astragalus extracts. J Med Food 2008;11:493–498.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Shao BM, Xu W, Dai H, Tu P, Li Z, Gao XM. A study on the immune receptors for polysaccharides from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004;320:1103–1111.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Block KI, Mead MN. Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: a review. Integr Cancer Tther 2003;2:247–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ko JK, Auyeung KK. Anti-tumor and anti-metastatic potential of AST with attenuated hematologic side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs in human colon cancer. Gastroenterology 2013;144:S290–S291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Cho WCS, Leung KN. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of Astragalus membranaceus. Cancer Letters 2007;252:43–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cho WCS, Leung KN. In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;113:132–141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lau BH, Ruckle HC, Botolazzo T, Lui PD. Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma. Cancer biotherapy 1994;9:153–161.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Fu J, Wang Z, Huang L, Zheng S, Wang D, Chen S, et al. Review of the botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi). Phytother Res 2014;28:1275–1283.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Ma XQ, Shi Q, Duan JA, Dong TT, Tsim KW. Chemical analysis of Radix astragali (Huangqi) in China: a comparison with its adulterants and seasonal variations. J Agric Food Chem 2002;50:4861–4866.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Ma XQ, Shi Q, Duan JA, Dong TT, Tsim KW. Chemical analysis of Radix astragali (Huangqi) in China: a comparison with its adulterants and seasonal variations. J Agricultur Food Chem 2002;50:4861–4866.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. McCulloch M, See C, Shu XJ, Broffman M, Kramer A, Fan WY, et al. Astragalus-based Chinese herbs and platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: metaanalysis of randomized trials. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:419–430.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ben-Arye E, Attias S, Tadmor T, Schiff E. Herbs in hematooncological care: an evidence-based review of data on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions. Leuk Lymphoma 2010;51:1414–1423.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Miller AL. Botanical influences on cardiovascular disease. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:422–431.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Tin MMY, Cho C, Chan K, James AE, Ko JKS. Astragalus saponins induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells and tumor xenograft. Carcinogenesis 2007;28:1347–1355.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Auyeung KKW, Mok NL, Wong CM, Cho CH, Ko JKS. Astragalus saponins modulate mTOR and ERK signaling to promote apoptosis through the extrinsic pathway in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Intern J Molecul Med 2010;26:341–349.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Zheng ZP, Yang WB, Li N, Bai YJ, Xing SY, Shao Q, et al. Clinical observation on injection of astragalus polysaccharides protecting marrow suppression of nonsmall- cell lung cancer after chemotherapy. Chin Tradit Herb Drugs (Chin) 2013;44:208–209.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Xu J. Effects of astragalus polysaccharide combined with Megestrol on life quality improvement of patients with advanced malignant tumor. Chin Tradit Herb Drugs (Chin) 2012;43:1385–1386.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Guo L, Bai SP, Zhao L, Wang XH. Astragalus polysaccharide injection integrated with vinorelbine and cisplatin for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: effects on quality of life and survival. Med Oncol 2012;29:1656–1662.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Chen H-W, Lin IH, Chen Y-J, Chang K-H, Wu M-H, Su W-H, et al. A novel infusible botanically-derived drug, PG2, for cancer-related fatigue: a phase ? double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Clin Invest Med 2012;35:E1–11.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Jadad AR, Moore RA, Carroll D, Jenkinson C, Reynolds DJ, Gavaghan DJ, et al. Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: is blinding necessary? Controlled Clin Trials 1996;17:1–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Nishida S, Kikuichi S, Yoshioka S, Tsubaki M, Fujii Y, Matsuda H, et al. Induction of apoptosis in hl-60 cells treated with medicinal herbs. Am J Chin Med 2003;31:551–562.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Song Y, Yang J, Bai WL, Ji WY. Antitumor and immunoregulatory effects of astragalus on nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vivo and in vitro. Phytother Res 2011;25:909–915.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Na D, Liu FN, Miao ZF, Du ZM, Xu HM. Astragalus extract inhibits destruction of gastric cancer cells to mesothelial cells by anti-apoptosis. World J Gastroenterol 2009;15:570–577.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Engi H, Hohmann J, Gang G, Pusztai R, Redei D, Kovacs O, et al. Chemoprevention and inhibition of P-glycoprotein in cancer cells by Chinese medicinal herbs. Phytother Res 2008;22:1671–1676.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kap JP, Yang S, Young AE, Soo YK, Hyung HL, Kang H. Cytotoxic effects of Korean medicinal herbs determined with hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Pharmaceut Biol 2002;40:189–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Zhou RF, Liu PX, Tan M. Effect of Astragalus mongholicus injection on proliferation and apoptosis of hormone sensitive (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines with physiological dose E2. J Chin Med Mater (Chin) 2009;32:744–747.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Yang CC, Han Y, Zhang AS, Si YM, Bao ZH. Effect of huangqi, danggui and ligustrazine as medicines activating blood and eliminating stasis on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cell strain. Chin J Clin Rehabilit (Chin) 2005;9:210–212.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Lin J, Dong HF, Oppenheim JJ, Howard OM. Effects of astragali radix on the growth of different cancer cell lines. World J Gastroenterol 2003;9:670–673.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Deng Y, Chen HF. Effects of Astragalus injection and its ingredients on proliferation and Akt phosphorylation of breast cancer cell lines. J Chin Integr Med (Chin) 2009;7:1174–1180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Ye MN, Chen HF. Effects of Astragalus injection on proliferation of basal-like breast cancer cell line MDAMB-468. J Chin Integr Med (Chin) 2008;6:399–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Song Y, Liu XP, Bai WL, Ji WY. Effects of astragalus on cell proliferation and apoptosis in Hep-2 cells in vitro. J Dalian Med Univ (Chin) 2012;34:432–435.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Cheng XD, Hou CH, Zhang XJ, Xie HY, Zhou WY, Yang L, et al. Effects of Huangqi (Hex) on inducing cell differentiation and cell death in K562 and HEL cells. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2004;36:211–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Xiao ZM, Song JG, Xu ZH, Zhang SY, Jiang SM. The effects of the extracts from AMB on proliferation and mitochondria metabolism of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells. World Chin J Digestol (Chin) 2000;8:46–48.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Peng XZ, Chen SS, Ning FL, Li ML. Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and antitumour activities of Astragalus membranaceus aqueous extract. J Med Plant Res 2011;5:6564–6570.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Mazzio EA, Soliman KFA. In vitro screening for the tumoricidal properties of international medicinal herbs. Phytother Res 2009;23:385–398.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Shin HY, Kuo YC, Hsu FL, Mao YW, Lee MH. Regulation of cytokine production by treating with Chinese tonic herbs in human peripheral blood mononuclear and human acute monocytic leukemia cells. J Food Drug Analysis 2010;18:414–424.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rittenhouse JR, Lui PD, Lau BHS. Chinese medicinal herbs reverse macrophage suppression induced by urological tumors. J Urol 1991;146:486–490.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Wang RT, Shan BE, Li QX. Extracorporeal experimental study on immuno-modulatory activity of Astragalus memhranaceus extract. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 2002;22:453–456.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Chu D, Sun Y, Lin J, Wong W, Mavligit G. F3, a fractionated extract of Astragalus membranaceus, potentiates lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity generated by low-dose recombinant interleukin-2. Chin J Mod Develop Tradit Med (Chin) 1990;10:34–36.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Chu D, Lin J, Wong W. The in vitro potentiation of LAK cell cytotoxicity in cancer and AIDS patients induced by F3— A fractionated extract of Astragalus membranaceus. Chin J Oncol (Chin) 1994;16:167–171.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Wang Y, Qian XJ, Hadley HR, Lau BH. Phytochemicals potentiate interleukin-2 generated lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity against murine renal cell carcinoma. Molecul Biother 1992;4:143–146.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Zhao KW, Kong HY. Effect of Astragalan on secretion of tumor necrosis factors in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 1993;13:263–265, 259.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Lee YS, Han OK, Park CW, Suh SI, Shin SW, Yang CH, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of aqueous-extracted Astragali radix in methotrexate-treated mouse spleen cells. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;84:193–198.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Cui C, Zhang A, Hu J, Zheng W, Fu Z, Qi L, et al. Reversing effects of traditional Chinese antitumor medicines on colorectal tumor immunosuppression of natural killer cell and T lymphocyte in vitro. Chin-German J Clin Oncol 2012;11:721–731.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Wei H, Sun R, Xiao W, Feng J, Zhen C, Xu X, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus reverses predominance of Th2 cytokines and their up-stream transcript factors in lung cancer patients. Oncol Reports 2003;10:1507–1512.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Luo Z, Zhong L, Han X, Wang H, Zhong J, Xuan Z. Astragalus membranaceus prevents daunorubicin-induced apoptosis of cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes: role of free radical effect of Astragalus membranaceus on daunorubicin cardiotoxicity. Phytother Res 2009;23:761–767.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Tang HH, Chen Y, Luo J, He YX, Gao YM, Liu XF, et al. Protective effect of astragalus injection on radiation injury in primary cultured rat hippocampal neuron. Chin J Cancer Prevent Treat (Chin) 2010;17:1049–1051.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Brandin H, Viitanen E, Myrberg O, Arvidsson AK. Effects of herbal medicinal products and food supplements on induction of CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and MDR1 in the human colon carcinoma cell line LS180. Phytother Res 2007;21:239–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Wang T, Xuan X, Li M, Gao P, Zheng Y, Zang W, et al. Astragalus saponins affect proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Diagn Pathol 2013;8:179.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Law PC, Auyeung KK, Chan LY, Ko JK. Astragalus saponins downregulate vascular endothelial growth factor under cobalt chloride-stimulated hypoxia in colon cancer cells. BMC Complement Altern Med 2012;12:160.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Auyeung KK, Woo PK, Law PC, Ko JK. Astragalus saponins modulate cell invasiveness and angiogenesis in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. J Ethnopharmacol 2012;141:635–641.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Peng YB, Zhou P, Chu C, Liu EH, Wen XD, Liu Q, et al. Proteomic analysis for malonylastragaloside ? in U937 leukemia cells by modified label-free quantitative strategy with LC chip Q-TOF MS/MS. Chin J Natur Med (Chin) 2011;9:305–316.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Hu XY, Xia RX, Cheng CB, Yang MZ, Zeng QS, Xia HL, et al. Mechanism of apoptosis in human leukemia NB4 cells induced by total astragalosides. Chin J Oncol (Chin) 2011;33:345–348.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Ionkova I, Momekov G, Proksch P. Effects of cycloartane saponins from hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus Bge., on human tumor cell targets. Fitoterapia 2010;81:447–451.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Su CC, Chiou TL, Chan MH, Lin JG. Astragaloside ? increases MMP-2 mRNA and protein expression in human lung cancer A549 cells. Molecul Med Reports 2009;2:107–113.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Auyeung KKW, Law PC, Ko JKS. Astragalus saponins induce apoptosis via an ERK-independent NF-(kappa)B signaling pathway in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line. Internat J Molecul Med 2009;23:189–196.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Auyeung KKW, Cho CH, Ko JKS. A novel anticancer effect of Astragalus saponins: Transcriptional activation of NSAIDactivated gene. Internat J Cancer 2009;125:1082–1091.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Huang C, Xu D, Xia Q, Wang P, Rong C, Su Y. Reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance of human hepatic cancer cells by Astragaloside ?. J Pharm Pharmacol 2012;64:1741–1750.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Xiao B, Xu Y, He H, Jiang QL, Li SY, Shu HY, et al. Antiapoptotic Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharide on Myeloid Cells. J Experim Hematol 2013;21:1243–1247.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Zeng PY, Deng LL, Yue LL, Zhang LS. Effect of astragalus polysaccharide on sensitivity of leukemic cell line HL-60 to NK cell cytotoxicity and its mechanism. J Experim Hematol 2012;20:880–883.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Tian QE, De Li H, Yan M, Cai HL, Tan QY, Zhang WY. Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on P-glycoprotein efflux pump function and protein expression in H22 hepatoma cells in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med 2012;12:94–103.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Li Q, Bao JM, Li XL, Zhang T, Shen XH. Inhibiting effect of Astragalus polysaccharides on the functions of CD4+CD25 highTreg cells in the tumor microenvironment of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Chin Med J 2012;125:786–793.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Ye M, Chen H, Zhou R, Liao M. Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on proliferation and akt phosphorylation of the basal-like breast cancer cell line. J Chin Integr Med (Chin) 2011;9:1339–1346.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Zhang M, Yu YX. Effect of astragalus polysaccharide on differentiation, maturation and function of dendritic cells cultured in supernatant of gastric cancer cells. Chin J Biologic (Chin) 2010;23:1308–1311.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Yang M, Qian XH, Zhao DH, Fu SZ. Effects of Astragalus polysaccharide on the erythroid lineage and microarray analysis in K562 cells. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;127:242–250.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Ren MP, Liu MH, Li R, Xiao SH, Li H, Li M. Antitumor activity of Astragalus Polysaccharides. Chin J New Drugs (Chin) 2010;19:221–224.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Liu LM, Zhang YM, Lu SH, Sun YM, Zhao GS, Zhang XX, et al. Astragalus polysaccharide promotes maturation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Chin J Cancer Biother (Chin) 2010;17:657–660.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Liu LM, Zhang LS. Effect of astragalus polysaccharide on the function and maturation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells from chronic myelogenous leukemia before and after treatment. Chin J Hematol (Chin) 2010;31:740–743.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Luo LQ, Huang PQ, Kong QZ, Huang T, Feng G, Lu HD. Effects of polysaccharides on intracellular free calcium concentration of sarcoma S-180 cells. Tumor 2008;28:236–237+250.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Yang H, Zhao G. Death and apoptosis of LAK cell during immunologic assault and the rescuing effects of approaches. Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology(Chin) 1998;25(9):669–672.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Auyeung KKW, Ko JKS. Novel herbal flavonoids promote apoptosis but differentially induce cell cycle arrest in human colon cancer cell. Invest New Drugs 2010;28:1–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Auyeung KKW, Law PC, Ko JKS. Novel anti-angiogenic effects of formononetin in human colon cancer cells and tumor xenograft. Oncol Reports 2012;28:2188–2194.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Chen J, Xiong WB, Xiong Y, Wu YY, Chen XJ, Shao ZJ, et al. Calycosin stimulates proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells through downregulation of bax gene expression and upregulation of bcl-2 gene expression at low concentrations. J Parent Enteral Nutrit 2011;35:763–769.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Wang DQ, Tian YP, Song SZ, Wang L. Anti-mutagenesis effects of total flavonoids of Astragalus. China J Chin Mater Med (Chin) 2003;28:1164–1167.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Zhang D, Zhuang Y, Pan J, Wang H, Li H, Yu Y, et al. Investigation of effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids of Astragalus and calycosin on human erythroleukemia cells. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2012;2012:209843.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Huang LH, Yan QJ, Kopparapu NK, Jiang ZQ, Sun Y. Astragalus membranaceus lectin (AML) induces caspasedependent apoptosis in human leukemia cells. Cell Prolif 2012;45:15–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Yan Q, Zhu L, Kumar N, Jiang Z, Huang L. Characterisation of a novel monomeric lectin (AML) from Astragalus membranaceus with anti-proliferative activity. Food Chem 2010;122:589–595.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Yan Q, Li Y, Jiang Z, Sun Y, Zhu L, Ding Z. Antiproliferation and apoptosis of human tumor cell lines by a lectin (AMML) of Astragalus mongholicus. Phytomedicine 2009;16:586–593.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Li YX, Yan QJ, Sun Y, Jiang ZQ, Zhu LF. Antiproliferation and apoptosis of K562 cells by Astragalus Mongholicus lectin. Chin Pharmacol Bull 2009;25:904–907.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Yang B, Xiao B, Sun T. Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Int J Biol Macromol 2013;62c:287–290.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Tian Q, Li HD, Yan M, Cai HL, Tan QY, Zhang WY. Astragalus polysaccharides can regulate cytokine and P-glycoprotein expression in H22 tumor-bearing mice. World J Gastroenterol (Chin) 2012;18:7079–7086.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Wei SX, Liu CJ, Sang GY, Li MY, Wu H. Effect of astragalus injection on the expression of p53 mRNA in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 xenograft in nude mice. Chin Pharmacol Bull 2010;26:948–951.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Dong JC, Dong XH, Zhao FD. Therapeutic effects of Astragalus injection on lewis lung cancer in mice. Chin J Oncol (Chin) 2006;28:272–273.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Li LK, Kuang WJ, Huang YF, Xie HH, Chen G, Zhou QC, et al. Anti-tumor effects of Astragalus on hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. Indian J Pharmacol 2012;44:78–81.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Dong JC, Dong XH. Comparative study on effect of astragulus injection and interleukin-2 in enhancing antitumor metastasis action of dendrite cells. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 2005;25:236–239.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Xiong M, He Q, Wang J, Lai H. Astragalosides reduce cisplatin ototoxicity in guinea pigs. ORL 2011;73:131–136.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Su D, Li H, Yan H, Liu P, Zhang L, Cheng J. Astragalus improved cardiac function of adriamycin-injured rat hearts by upregulation of SERCA2a expression. Am J Chin Med 2009;37:519–529.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Liu L, Zhang J, He R, Zhou L, Zhang J. Astragalus injection ameliorates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. China J Chin Mater Med (Chin) 2010;35:2736–2740.

    Google Scholar 

  95. Kim W, Kim SH, Park SK, Chang MS. Astragalus membranaceus ameliorates reproductive toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in male mice. Phytother Res 2012;26:1418–1421.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Li YR, Cao W, Guo J, Miao S, Ding GR, Li KC, et al. Comparative investigations on the protective effects of rhodioside, ciwujianoside-B and astragaloside ? on radiation injuries of the hematopoietic system in mice. Phytother Res 2011;25:644–653.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Zhang ZX, Qi F, Zhou DJ, Liang XY, Zhu LW, Wang PZ. Effect of 5-fluorouracil in combination with Astragalus membranaceus on amino acid metabolism in mice model of gastric carcinoma. Chin J Gastrointest Surgery (Chin) 2006;9:445–447.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Xia X, Dao N. Effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on murine bone marrow and spleen progenitor cells in MMC-induced myleosuppression. Chin Pharmacol Bull 2003;19:812–814.

    Google Scholar 

  99. Jin R, Wan LL, Mitsuishi T, Kodama K, Kurashige S. Immunomodulative effects of Chinese herbs in mice treated with anti-tumor agent cyclophosphamide. J Pharmaceu tSociety Japan 1994;114:533–538.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Zhu XL, Zhu BD. Mechanisms by which Astragalus membranaceus injection regulates hematopoiesis in myelosuppressed mice. Phytother Res 2007;21:663–667.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Kong Q, Huang T, Fei Y. Protection of astragalus membranaceus against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Chin Pharmaceut J (Chin) 1999;34:447–450.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Lv Y, Feng X, Zhu B. Study on effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection on hematopoiesis in anemic mice with myelosuppression. J Chin Med Mater (Chin) 2005;28:791–793.

    Google Scholar 

  103. Kurashige S, Akuzawa Y, Endo F. Effects of astragali radix extract on carcinogenesis, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity in mice treated with a carcinogen, N-butyl-N'- butanolnitrosoamine. Cancer Invest 1999;17:30–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Cui R, He J, Wang B, Zhang F, Chen G, Yin S, et al. Suppressive effect of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge on chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2003;51:75–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Dang S, Zhang Z, Yuan L, Wang B, Zhang X, Song F, et al. Effects of emodin and astragalus polysaccharides on the expressions of GST-P and TGF-(beta)1 in rats' hepatocellular carcinoma constitution. J Xi'an Jiaotong Univ (Med Sci; Chin) 2006;27:250–253.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Hu YJ, Li L, Gong SX. Regulatory effect of astragalus injection on Th1/Th2 cell function in patients with cervical cancer. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 2010;30:1157–1159.

    Google Scholar 

  107. Dong J, Gu HL, Ma CT, Zhang F, Chen Z, Zhang Y. Effects of large dose of Astragalus membranaceus on the dendritic cell induction of peripheral mononuclear cell and antigen presenting ability of dendritic cells in children with acute leukemia. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 2005;25:872–875.

    Google Scholar 

  108. Zou YH, Liu XM. Effect of astragalus injection combined with chemotherapy on quality of life in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 2003;23:733–735.

    Google Scholar 

  109. Duan P, Wang ZM. Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med (Chin) 2002;22:515–517.

    Google Scholar 

  110. Qin H, Niu D, Jiang C, Wan M, He F, Zhen J, et al. Effect of astragalus polysaccharide in combination with threedimensional conformal radiotherapy on elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Chin J Clin Oncol (Chin) 2009;36:1401–1403.

    Google Scholar 

  111. Kitagawa I, Wang G, Takagi A, Yoshikawa M. Chemical constituents of Astragali radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus bunge. (1). Cycloastragenol, the 9,19-cyclolanostane-type aglycone astragalosides, and the artifact aglycone astrgenol. Chem Pharm Bull 1983;31:689.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Kitagawa I, Wang G, Takagi A, Yoshikawa M. Chemical constituents of Astragali radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus bunge. (2). Astragalosides, acetylastragaloside and isoastragalosides and. Chem Pharm Bull 1983;31:698.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Kitagawa I, Wang G, Takagi A, Yoshikawa M. Chemical constituents of Astragali radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus bunge. (3). Astragalosides. Chem Pharm Bull 1983;31:709.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Kitagawa I, Wang G, Takagi A, Yoshikawa M. Chemical constituents of Astragali radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus bunge. (4). Astragalosides. Chem Pharm Bull 1983;31:716.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Qi LW, Li P, Ren MT, Yu QT, Wen XD, Wang YX. Application of high-performance liquid chromatographyelectrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for analysis and quality control of Radix astragali and its preparations. J Chromatogr A 2009;1216:2087–2097.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Jin M, Zhao K, Huang Q, Shang P. Structural features and biological activities of the polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus. Int J Biol Macromol 2014;64:257–266.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Huang CF, Lin SS, Liao PH, Young SC, Yang CC. The immunopharmaceutical effects and mechanisms of herb medicine. Cell Mol Immunol 2008;5:23–31.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  118. Chen Z, Gu B. Enhanced oral bioavailability of Astragaloside ? in rats through complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl-betacyclodextrin. Asian J Pharmaceut Sci 2009;4:56–64.

    Google Scholar 

  119. Xu F, Zhang Y, Xiao S, Lu X, Yang D, Yang X, et al. Absorption and metabolism of Astragali radix decoction: in silico, in vitro, and a case study in vivo. Drug Metab Dispos 2006;34:913–924.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Huang CR, Wang GJ, Wu XL, Li H, Xie HT, Lv H, et al. Absorption enhancement study of astragaloside ? based on its transport mechanism in caco-2 cells. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2006;31:5–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  121. Xu M, Yin J, Xie L, Zhang J, Zou C, Zou J, et al. Pharmacokinetics and tolerance of toal astragalosides after intravenous infusion of astragalosides injection in healthy Chinese volunteers. Phytomedicine 2013;20:1105–1111.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Chang YX, Sun YG, Li J, Zhang QH, Guo XR, Zhang BL, et al. The experimental study of Astragalus membranaceus on meridian tropsim: the distribution study of astragaloside ? in rat tissues. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2012;911:71–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  123. Zhang Q, Zhu LL, Chen GG, Du Y. Pharmacokinetics of astragaloside ? in beagle dogs. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2007;32(2):75–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  124. Hwang SR, Byun Y. Advances in oral macromolecular drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2014:1–13.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Oncology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, 892 Dongnamro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, 05287, Republic of Korea

    Yeehong Jung & Sookyung Lee

  2. Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea

    Uimin Jerng

Authors
  1. Yeehong Jung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Uimin Jerng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sookyung Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sookyung Lee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jung, Y., Jerng, U. & Lee, S. A systematic review of anticancer effects of Radix Astragali . Chin. J. Integr. Med. 22, 225–236 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2324-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2324-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation