Peer-Reviewed Research Review: Immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus
The journal article "In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus" by William Chi Shing Cho and Kwok Nam Leung, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, investigates the bioactive properties of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. The study focuses on the immunomodulating and immunorestorative activities of a specific fraction of AM, designated as AI, both in vitro and in vivo.
Background Astragalus membranaceus, known as Huangqi in traditional Chinese medicine, is renowned for its ability to enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms. The dried root of AM contains various bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, saponins, and isoflavones, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Despite its widespread use, the precise mechanisms underlying its immunomodulatory effects have not been fully elucidated.
Methodology The study involved the extraction and fractionation of bioactive components from the roots of AM. The AI fraction, identified as the most potent in terms of mitogenicity on murine splenocytes, was further investigated for its effects on specific and nonspecific immunity in mouse models. The experimental approach included in vitro assays on murine splenocytes and human lymphocytes, as well as in vivo tests on mice to evaluate AI's immunomodulatory and immunorestorative activities.
Results
In Vitro Immunomodulatory Effects The AI fraction exhibited significant mitogenic and co-mitogenic activities on mouse splenocytes. The peak proliferative response occurred at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, representing a 245.5% increase compared to the control. AI was also active on human lymphocytes, enhancing their proliferative response by 10.2% at the same concentration. Additionally, AI showed strong co-mitogenic activity with concanavalin A (Con A) on human lymphocytes, resulting in a 40% enhancement of the response.
In Vivo Immunomodulatory Effects In vivo experiments demonstrated that AI significantly increased DNA synthesis in mouse splenocytes, indicating its mitogenic activity. AI-treated mice showed enhanced lymphoproliferative responses to suboptimal concentrations of mitogens, as well as an increased number of splenic plaque-forming cells. AI also promoted the migration and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, further supporting its role in modulating immune responses.
Immunorestorative Effects The study found that AI could restore the lymphocyte blastogenic response in older mice to levels comparable to those in younger mice. AI also partially restored immune functions in tumor-bearing mice and those treated with cyclophosphamide, suggesting its potential in reversing immunosuppression.
Discussion The results of this study highlight the significant immunomodulating and immunorestorative properties of the AI fraction from Astragalus membranaceus. The fraction's mitogenic activity was attributed primarily to its carbohydrate moiety, as evidenced by the loss of activity following oxidation with sodium periodate. The heat stability and resistance to acetic acid treatment further supported the role of carbohydrates in AI's biological activity.
The study also suggested that AI primarily acted on B cells, as it was mitogenic to T cell-depleted populations but inactive on B cell-depleted populations. However, the possibility of AI stimulating helper T cells was not excluded, given its ability to enhance the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC).
The observed immunorestorative effects of AI in aging and immunosuppressed mice indicated its potential for clinical applications in immunotherapy and the treatment of immunological diseases. The study proposed that further purification and characterization of AI's bioactive components could enhance its therapeutic efficacy and facilitate its integration into modern medicine.
Conclusion The article provides compelling evidence for the immunomodulatory and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus, particularly its AI fraction. The findings underscore the herb's potential as a biological response modifier, with applications in enhancing immune responses and restoring immunocompetence in various clinical settings. Future research should focus on isolating and characterizing the bioactive components of AI to optimize its therapeutic use and elucidate its mechanisms of action at the molecular level.
Reference Cho, W. C. S., & Leung, K. N. (2007). In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113(1), 132-143.
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