Xinyu Zhang,1,* Bingying Lin,2,* Xiaoqian Wang,1 Ninɡji Fanɡ,2 Lifei Wu,3 Haitong Wan,2,4 Huifen Zhou2 

1School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Physical Education, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450046, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Huifen Zhou, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China, Email zhouhuifen2320@126.com Haitong Wan, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China, Email whtong@126.com

Abstract: Astragalus mongholicus Bunge [Fabaceae; Astragali radix] is an herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has diuretic, anti-aging, antihypertensive, immune-boosting, liver-protective, anti-stress and other extensive pharmacological effects. In recent years, Astragalus and its extract have been used to treat lung and stomach qi deficiency as well as general qi deficiency. This paper summarizes the mode of action and mechanisms of Astragalus in treating various diseases, and provides valuable insights for the future application, development, and improvement of Astragalus. In this paper, literature on the use of Astragalus in treating related diseases over the past five years was collected from PubMed and CNKI databases, and the pathogenic mechanisms of Astragalus and its extracts were reviewed. Its mechanism of action is primarily involved in antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-apoptotic properties. This provides a new research direction for future studies and clinical treatments using Astragalus.

Keywords: Astragalus, active ingredient, Astragalus extract, traditional Chinese medicine