Protective Effect of Herbal Compound Beverage of <i>Radix </i><i>astragali </i>on Immunosuppressed Mice Induced by Cyclophosphamide

Abstract

In this study, the herbal compound beverage of Radix astragali (HCBRA) was explored and the immuno-enhancement effects of HCBRA were studied in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy). HCBRA consisted of a water extract of the mixed herbal drugs Radix astragali, Golden-silk jujube, Acanthopanax senticosus fruit, Schisandra chinensis, Glycyrrhiza, Ginger, Peppermint. Compound polysaccharide content calculated as glucose equivalents was 120mg glucose/100mL beverage. The BALB/c mice were gavaged (i.g) once daily with the dosages (2.27, 4.55g, 9.10g raw materials /(kg.bw))of HCBRA for 14 consecutive days, respectively, accompanied by i.p. injection of Cy (80mg/(kg.bw)) at the first three days. The results showed that HCBRA was able to overcome the Cy-induced immunosuppression, significantly increased spleen index and peripheral white blood cell counts, enhanced T cell and B cell proliferation responses, improved splenic nature killer cell activity and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis. In summary, HCBRA enhanced immunologic functions in vivo. These results offered scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of HCBRA.

Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Properties and Value of Astragali Radix

“…After oral administration of AR polysaccharides in cyclophosphamide-induced rat, spleen weight, peripheral white blood cell counts, and T cell and B cell proliferation responses were significantly upregulated [ 45 ]. Furthermore, splenic nature killer cell activity and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis were also dramatically increased [ 45 ].…”

“…After oral administration of AR polysaccharides in cyclophosphamide-induced rat, spleen weight, peripheral white blood cell counts, and T cell and B cell proliferation responses were significantly upregulated [ 45 ]. Furthermore, splenic nature killer cell activity and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis were also dramatically increased [ 45 ]. In humans, the intake of AR extract promoted immunomodulating effects by upregulating the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as inducing interleukin production [ 46 ].…”

Preparation of Astragalus membranaceus–cranberry biscuits and the evaluation of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity

“…Modern pharmacological researches showed that it had significant cardiovascular system protection, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant and improved immunity effects (Meng et al, 2021;Wei et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2022;Chen et al, 2023;Yang et al, 2023). As a homology between medicine and food product, Astragalus membranaceus plays an important role in dietary supplements due to its diverse chemical composition and pharmacological action and is mainly applied in the production of functional beverages, cookies, yogurt, etc (Lim et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2013). Lim et al developed rice wine cake cookies with different ratio of Astragalus membranaceus.…”