Compounds from astragalus found to attenuate pulmonary arterial hypertension

A study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that polysaccharides from astragalus, also known as huang qi in Chinese medicine, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that may be useful against hypertension. In the study, a team of Chinese researchers looked at the function of astragalus polysaccharides on pulmonary arterial hypertension.

• The Chinese research team conducted the study in rats that they injected with monocrotaline to induce pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• They gave the animals 200 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of astragalus polysaccharides once every two days for two weeks.
• Based on the results, the researchers found that treatment with astragalus polysaccharides reduced the severity of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary artery hypertension.
• In addition, the treatment warded off oxidative stress, promoted vasodilation, and reduced inflammation.

In sum, the findings of the study suggest that treatment with astragalus polysaccharides can help attenuate monocrotaline-induced pulmonary artery hypertension by promoting vasodilation and reducing inflammation.

To read more studies on the health benefits of astragalus, visit ChineseMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Yuan LB, Hua CY, Gao S, Yin YL, Dai M, Meng HY, Li PP, Yang ZX, Hu QH. ASTRAGALUS POLYSACCHARIDES ATTENUATE MONOCROTALINE-INDUCED PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN RATS. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 19 May 2017; 45(4): 773-789. DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X17500410