Of Astragali radix

Kurashige, S., Y. Akuzawa, and F. Endo. 1999. Effects of Astragali radix extract on carcinogenesis, cytokin production, and cytotoxicity in mice treated with a carcinogen, A-butyl-iV -butanolnitrosoamine. Cancer Invest. 17 30-35. 

There is only one report in the literature concerning Astragalus essential oil. Miyazawa in 1987 [214] has studied the volatile flavour of "Astragali radix" (the root of A.membramceus, that has a good note and a dry green mild fruity odor), obtained by steam distillation under atmosferic pressure of the macerated roots twenty-two components have been identified by GC, GC-MS, IR and NMR analyses. They include 9 dimethylesters of dicarboxilic acids, 14 methylesters of fatty acids, 2 aldehydes, 1 ketone, 4 alcohols and 1 acid. Methyl palmitate is the main component (22.0 %), followed by dimethyl azelate (16.2 %), a compound with a fhiity-winey odor such as the dimethyl esters of dicarboxilic acids. 

During a research in which the effect of the oral administration of "Astragali radix" (AR) on IgM antibody production in mice of various es was examined, the polysaccharides responsible for the antibody... 

Awe, S. O., O. A. Olajide, and J. M. Makinde. 1998. Inhibitory effects of isoflavones in roots of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge. (Astragali radix) on lipid peroxidation by reactive oxygen species. Phytother. Res. 12 59-61. 

Weakness of Defensive-Qi and easily sweating use Huang Qi [Astragali radix) to tonify the Qi and close the pores, use Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae... 

Weakness of the limbs use Huang Qi [Astragali radix), Chai Hu [Bupleuri radix) and Sheng Ma [Cimicifugae rhizoma) together to tonify and ascend the Spleen-Qi so as to strengthen the muscles. 

The HPLC method has also been described for the determination of astragalosides in "Astragali radix" [59,92,291]. The method was sensitive, rapid and accurate and could be used for quantitative analysis of saponins. Total saponins in extract of plant of Astragalus spp. may be also determined spectrophotometrically after reaction with vanillin in acidic medium by measuring the absorbance at 560 nm (detection range is 40-200 pg) [238,321],... 

Antiviral activity has been demonstrated mainly for A. membranaceus, that represents the most studied species, expecially against Coxsackie viruses [234] but also against different kinds of viral infections. "Astragali radix" extracts show protective effects against Japanese Encephalitis Vitus (JEV) infection in mice both by oral and infraperitoneal injection this effect is based on a non-specific mechanism during the early stage of injection, before it shifts to antibody production. A. membranaceus (AM) shows curative effects on the mice infected with Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 (HSV-1) when somministated with acyclovir (ACV) [329]. The anti-HSV activity of suppository and ointment forms of AM combined... 

Fig. (9). Separation scheme of the polysaccharide fraction from "Astragali radix"...

Astragali radix" (AR) [83] is an important traditional Chinese herbal medicine widely used in China and Japan. It is used to improve naturally weak constitutions, as an invigorating drug to improve the immune response, often for the elderly, and to counter unbalanced nutrition in China. The immunostimulant effect of polysaccharides, isolated from A. membranaceus, has been proved so many authors recommend that this plant may be used in immunotherapy. It is chiefly used as a decoction. 

Xiao, H. B., Krucker, M., Putzhach, K., and Albert, K., Capillary liquid chromatography-microcoil IH nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry for on-hne structure elucidation of isoflavones in Radix astragali. Journal of Chromatography A 1067(1-2), 135-143, 2005. 

Xiao, H.B., M. Krucker, K. Albert, and X.M. Liang. 2004. Determination and identification of isofla-vonoids in Radix astragali by matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection. J. Chromatogr. A 1032 117-124. 

Xiao, W. Han, L. Shi, B. 2008. Microwave-assisted extraction of flavonoids from radix astragali. Sep. Purif. Tech. 62 614-618. 

H.B. Xiao, M. Krucker, K. Putzbach, K. Albert, Capillary LC-microcoil H NMR and LC-ion trap-MS for on-line structure elucidation of isoflavones in Radix astragali, J. Chromatogr. A, 1067 (2005) 135. 

If there is excessive sweating, increase the dosage of Peony and decrease by one-third the dosages of Cinnamon, Ginger, and Licorice. Then add Radix Astragali Membranacei Huang Qi) and Radix Ledebouriellae Sesloidis FangFeng). 

For weakness of the spleen and dampness with vomiting, diarrhea, and poor appetite, add Radix Astragali Membranacei (Huang Qi) and Semen Dolichos Lablabis (Bai Bian Dou). 

For more prominent spleen vacuity with pronounced lack of appetite and fatigue but less distention and fullness, replace Atractylodis with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu) and add Radix Astragali Membranacei Huang Qi) and Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae (Shan Yao). 

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