Title:Biological Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Herb Astragalus membranaceus on Treatment of Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Author(s): Zhang Kai, Pugliese Michela, Pugliese Antonio and Passantino Annamaria
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Astragalus membranaceus, diabetes mellitus, Astragalus polysaccharides, Astragalus saponins, Astragalus
flavonoids, astragaloside.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic metabolic disease which disease afflicting at
present now afflicts approximately 4% of world population worldwide. Nowadays, the need for more
potent and safe drugs to supply the present anti-diabetic and treated drugs has become an imperative.
Astragalus membranaceus, the most common Chinese herb and key-component of many Chinese
herbal anti-diabetic formulas, is rich in anti-diabetic compounds: polysaccharides (APS), saponins
(ASS), and flavonoids (ASF) etc. Because of its various biological activities, especially its antidiabetic
properties, that continuously arouse different studies. Recent studies focused on type 1 and type 2 treatment,
respectively caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance and deficient glucose
metabolism. Its total polysaccharides, saponins and flavonoids fractions and several isolated compounds have been the
most studied. This paper discusses diabetic treatment and pharmacological action of the biological ingredients in relation
to diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications.
