
Astragalus Extract, 500 mg
VRP, 60 capsules
Astragalus is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Huangqi (the Chinese name for this immune enhancing herb) is an integral part of Fu-Zhong therapy, a combination of herbs thought to promote and enhance natural defense mechanisms. 10, 11 In traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Astragalus is used to replenish vital energy, and accelerate wound healing.12 A. membranaceus is the most common form of Astragalus used for medicinal purposes; other varieties were once used to make gels for the manufacture of other medications.13
Antimicrobial Effects
Astragalus enhances immune function by altering the metabolism of immune cells. Studies in both humans and laboratory animals have demonstrated its potent antiviral potential via its ability to protect against infection from the viruses that cause influenza and the common cold. Both oral and nasal administration of Astragalus extracts have offered protection against the common cold, and in patients who are susceptible to colds and flu, treatment with Astragalus for short periods of time (two weeks) enhances interferon induction by the white blood cells, and results in increased levels of cytokines (such as interleukin-2 and IgA and IgG). But perhaps its most promising use is in adjuvant therapy for the treatment of cancer.
Astragalus and the Immune Response
The bodys first line of defense against foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses, and mutated (tumor) cells is phagocytosis lysing of the foreign cells by macrophages (an
important class of white blood cells). Activation of the macrophages is accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide ions and hydrogen peroxide. These oxygen radicals are the major mechanism by which macrophages fight viruses and tumor cells. Certain tumor cells, however, have the capability of producing suppresser factors, which impair the production of these oxygen interwww.es, allowing the tumor to grow relatively uninhibited.14 This is further exacerbated by the fact that patients in advanced stages of cancer have already depressed phagocytic function to begin with, and chemotherapy and radiation treatments further compromise their cellular immune response capabilities.11
Astragalus and Cancer
Astragalus has been demonstrated to prevent tumor-induced macrophage suppression; (especially when combined with other herbs such as Ligustrum lucidum). In one study, for example, mononuclear cells were collected from healthy volunteers, and from patients in the advanced stages of cancer. The cells were incubated with extracts of Astragalus and Ligustrum. Both herbs effectively inhibited the function of the tumor-produced suppresser cells.
These tumor-suppressive effects are thought to be www.ed by the fact that the Astragalus (and the Ligustrum) treatment leads to an increase in T-helper cell activity. This increase in immune function was clearly demonstrated in one study where immunodeficient, and healthy normal mice were treated with Astragalus extract. The Astragalus treatment increased T-helper cell activity in both the immunodeficient and the healthy mice.12 This effect has been noted in humans as well; when mono nuclear cells from cancer patients and healthy volunteers were inoculated with extracts of Astragalus and Ligustrum, not only did the herbal treatment raise T cell levels to levels similar to that of the healthy cell (prior to treatment), T cell levels in cells from healthy individuals were also significantly increased.
Numerous studies have examined the use of Astragalus and other herbs as a part of successful cancer therapy. One common form of cancer treatment is the use of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) to produce lymphokino-activated killer (LAK) cells. However, rIL-2 (like all immunotherapy drugs) is extremely toxic, and side effects include: fluid retention, capillary leakage, myocardial infarction and acute renal failure. Obviously, one major area of research is the search for ways to reduce the required doses of immunotoxic drugs such as rIL-2, while still retaining the antitumor activities. Some studies have suggested that Astragalus potentiates the LAK cytotoxicity produced by the administration of rIL-2. In one such study, Astragalus extract was added to cultures of murin renal tumor cells. The results showed that the extract of Astragalus was capable of potentiating the antitumor activity of rIL-2 generated LAK cells. In other words, 10-fold less rIL-2 was required to produce the same level of tumor cell destruction (and fewer LAK cells were required as well.)
These studies discussed herein on the immunoprotective effects of Echinacea and Astragalus represent a fraction of the available scientific literature. Both herbs have clearly demonstrated antiviral activity, by boosting phagocytic activity (Echinacea), or increasing the production of key immune cells and cytokines (Astragalus). Both have been implicated in protection against infection by the common cold or influenza viruses, and both show great promise in the treatment of cancers. The effects of each follow a dose-dependent response; and to date, no toxic effects have been reported.
With the emergence of new and more virulent strains of flu, AIDS, and other immune disorders, the search for effective drugs to treat these diseases blunders blindly forward. Herbal remedies are both safe and usually more efficacious (not to mention less expensive), than pharmaceuticals (and more often than not, lack most of the negative side effects of the synthetic drugs). Echinacea and Astragalus are just two examples of how nature has provided us with safe, effective methods of improving our health and quality of life.
References:
10. Zhao KS, Mancini C, Doria G. Enhancement of immune response in mice by Astragalus membranaceus extracts. Immunopharmacolgy 20: 225-34, 1990.
11. Sun Y, Hersh E., Talpaz M, et al. Immune restoration and/or augmentation of local graft versus host reaction by traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Cancer 52: 70-73, 1983.
12. Zhang Z, Wen Q, Liu C. Hepatoprotective effects of astragalus root. J Ethnopharmacol 30: 145-49, 1990.
13. Morazzoni P, Bombaradelli E. Astragalus membranaceus (Fish.) Bge. Indena S.p.A., 1994 (Monograph).
14. Rittenhouse JR, Lui PD, Lau BHS. Chinese medicinal herbs reverse macrophage suppression induced by urological tumors. J Urology 146: 486-90, 1991.
15. Sun Y, Hersh EM, Lee SL, et al. Preliminary observations on the effects of the Chinese medicinal herbs Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum on lymphocyte blastogenic responses. J Biol Resp Modifiers 2: 227-237, 1983.
16. Wang Y, Qian X, Hadley HR, et al. Phytochemicals potentiate interleukin-2 generated lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity against murine renal cell carcinoma. Mol Biother 4: 143-46, 1992.
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