Astragaloside IV

Pharmacology. 2008;81(4):325-32.

Astragaloside IV improved intracellular calcium handling in hypoxia-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes via the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase.[Pubmed: 18349554 ]

Although Astragaloside IV, a saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, has been shown to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury, its effect on the status of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport in the injured myocardium remains largely unknown.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, we investigated whether in cultured cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) administration of Astragaloside IV during H/R attenuates the myocardial cell injury and prevents changes in Ca2+ handling activities and gene expression of SR Ca2+ pump. Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were exposed to 6 h of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation. Myocyte injury was determined by the release of cardiac troponin I in supernatant. Astragaloside IV significantly inhibited cardiac troponin I release after H/R in a dose-dependent manner. The diastolic [Ca2+]i measured with Fura-2/AM was significantly increased after reoxygenation. Astragaloside IV prevented the rise of diastolic [Ca2+]i and the depression of caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients caused by H/R. Furthermore, the observed depressions in SR Ca2+-ATPase activity as well as the mRNA and protein expression of SR Ca2+-ATPase in hypoxic-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes were attenuated by Astragaloside IV treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that the beneficial effect of Astragaloside IV in H/R-induced injury may be related to normalization of SR Ca2+ pump expression and, thus, may prevent the depression in SR Ca2+ handling.

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011 May;63(5):688-94.

Astragaloside IV inhibits adenovirus replication and apoptosis in A549 cells in vitro.[Pubmed: 21492171 ]

Astragaloside IV, purified from the Chinese medical herb Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge and Astragalus caspicus Bieb, is an important natural product with multiple pharmacological actions. This study investigated the anti-ADVs effect of Astragaloside IV on HAdV-3 (human adenovirus type 3) in A549 cell.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
CPE, MTT, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), flow cytometry (FCM) and Western blot were apply to detect the cytotoxicity, the inhibition and the mechanisms of Astragaloside IV on HAdV-3. TC(0 ) of Astragaloside IV was 116.8 μm, the virus inhibition rate from 15.98% to 65.68% positively was correlated with the concentration of Astragaloside IV from 1.25 μm to 80 μm, IC50 (the medium inhibitory concentration) was 23.85 μm, LC50 (lethal dose 50% concentration) was 865.26 μm and the TI (therapeutic index) was 36.28. qPCR result showed Astragaloside IV inhibited the replication of HAdV-3. Flow FCM analysis demonstrated that the anti-HAdV-3 effect was associated with apoptosis. Astragaloside IV was further detected to reduce the protein expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 and increasing the protein expressions of Bcl-2 using western blotting, which improved the anti-apoptosis mechanism of Astragaloside IV on HAdV-3.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings suggested that Astragaloside IV possessed anti-HAdV-3 capabilities and the underlying mechanisms might involve inhibiting HAdV-3 replication and HAdV-3-induced apoptosis.

Cell Physiol Biochem . 2016;40(5)

Astragaloside IV Enhances Cisplatin Chemosensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Through Inhibition of B7-H3[Pubmed: 27960166]

Background: Chemoresistance is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy for human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Astragaloside IV, the component of Astragalus membranaceus, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammation, anti-cancer and immunoregulatory properties. In the present study, we investigated the role of Astragaloside IV in the chemoresistance to cisplatin in NSCLC cells. Methods: We established Astragaloside IV-suppressed NSCLC cell lines including A549, HCC827, and NCI-H1299 and evaluated their sensitivity to cisplatin in vitro. In addition, we examined the mRNA and protein levels of B7-H3 in response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Results: We showed that high doses of Astragaloside IV (10, 20, 40 ng/ml) inhibited NSCLC cell growth, whereas low concentrations of Astragaloside IV (1, 2.5, 5 ng/ml) had no obvious cytotoxicity on cell viability. Moreover, combined treatment with Astragaloside IV significantly increased chemosensitivity to cisplatin in NSCLC cells. On the molecular level, Astragaloside IV co-treatment significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of B7-H3 in the presence of cisplatin. In addition, ectopic expression of B7-H3 diminished the sensitization role of Astragaloside IV in cellular responses to cisplatin in NSCLC cells. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Astragaloside IV enhances chemosensitivity to cisplatin via inhibition of B7-H3 and that treatment with Astragaloside IV and inhibition of B7-H3 serve as potential therapeutic approach for lung cancer patients.

Int Immunopharmacol . 2017 Jan;42:

Astragaloside IV inhibits breast cancer cell invasion by suppressing Vav3 mediated Rac1/MAPK signaling[Pubmed: 27930970]

Background: Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), the major active triterpenoid in Radix Astragali, has shown anti-tumorigenic properties in certain cancers; however, its role in breast cancer remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of AS-IV on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo and examined the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The effects of AS-IV on MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis were investigated by MTT and Transwell assays, and western blotting. In addition, an orthotopic mouse tumor model was established for in vivo experiments. Results: AS-IV inhibited the viability and invasive potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, suppressed the activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members ERK1/2 and JNK, and downregulated matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and -9. The effects of AS-IV were mediated by the downregulation of Vav3, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, leading to decreased levels of activated Rac1, a Rho family GTPase. Vav3 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, whereas Vav3 silencing had the opposite effects. AS-IV suppressed orthotopic breast tumor growth and metastasis to the lungs, whereas ectopic expression of Vav3 reversed the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on cell viability, invasiveness, MAPK signaling and MMP expression. Conclusion: The present results provide a mechanistic explanation for the antitumor effects of AS-IV and suggest its potential in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Keywords: Astragaloside IV; Breast cancer cells; Rac1/MAPK signaling; Vav3.

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 4;10(3):e0118759.

Astragaloside IV Protects against Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating NF-κB/PGC-1α Signaling Mediated Energy Biosynthesis.[Pubmed: 25738576]

We previously reported that Astragaloside IV (ASIV), a major active constituent of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge protects against cardiac hypertrophy in rats induced by isoproterenol (Iso), however the mechanism underlying the protection remains unknown. Dysfunction of cardiac energy biosynthesis contributes to the hypertrophy and Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB)/Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling gets involved in the dysfunction.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism by which ASIV improves the cardiac hypertrophy with focuses on the NF-κB/PGC-1α signaling mediated energy biosynthesis. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats or Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes (NRVMs) were treated with Iso alone or in combination with ASIV. The results showed that combination with ASIV significantly attenuated the pathological changes, reduced the ratios of heart weight/body weight and Left ventricular weight/body weight, improved the cardiac hemodynamics, down-regulated mRNA expression of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), increased the ratio of ATP/AMP, and decreased the content of Free Fat Acid (FFA) in heart tissue of rats compared with Iso alone. In addition, pretreatment with ASIV significantly decreased the surface area and protein content, down-regulated mRNA expression of ANP and BNP, increased the ratio of ATP/AMP, and decreased the content of FFA in NRVMs compared with Iso alone. Furthermore, ASIV increased the protein expression of ATP5D, subunit of ATP synthase and PGC-1α, inhibited translocation of p65, subunit of NF-κB into nuclear fraction in both rats and NRVMs compared with Iso alone. Parthenolide (Par), the specific inhibitor of p65, exerted similar effects as ASIV in NRVMs. Knockdown of p65 with siRNA decreased the surface areas and increased PGC-1α expression of NRVMs compared with Iso alone.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggested that ASIV protects against Iso-induced cardiac hypertrophy through regulating NF-κB/PGC-1α signaling mediated energy biosynthesis.

Cell Physiol Biochem. 2014;34(6):2105-16.

Anti-fibrotic effects of Astragaloside IV in systemic sclerosis.[Pubmed: 25562158]

To evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects of Astragaloside IV in systemic sclerosis.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Treated or untreated systemic sclerosis (SSc) and normal fibroblast isolated from corresponding pairs were utilized to detect expression of collagen and fibronectin by western blot, quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence staining and histopathological examination. SSc mouse model induced by bleomycin was used to evaluate the effects of the drug in vivo. Compared to normal fibroblast (NF), the expression of collagen and fibronectin in SSc (SScF) dramatically increased, and this could be reduced by Astragaloside IV (AST) in a dose- or time-dependent manner at both protein and mRNA levels. Administration of Astragaloside IV consistently decreased collagen formation and partially restored the structure, as well as suppressing collagen and fibronectin expression in the skin lesions of SSc-model mice. Mechanistically, Astragaloside IV-induced fibrosis reduction may be due to deregulation of Smad 3/Fli-1, the major mediators of the fibrotic response and key molecules for TGF-β signaling. Astragaloside IV also decreased the level of p-SMAD3 and completely blocked its relocation into the nuclei.
CONCLUSIONS:
Astragaloside IV attenuates fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β-Smads3 axis in systemic sclerosis.

Phytother Res. 2012 Jun;26(6):892-8.

Astragaloside IV attenuates complement membranous attack complex induced podocyte injury through the MAPK pathway.[Pubmed: 22086717 ]

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in adults and the cause is known to be due to the injury of podocytes located in the glomeruli. Astragalus membranaceus has been used for the treatment of patients with MN in China for a long time. The beneficial effect of Astragalus membranaceus on proteinuria of patients with MN has been well documented. However, the mechanism of astragalus membranaceu in alleviation of MN is still not completely understood.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Therefore, in the current study, we employed a podocyte injury model induced by complement membranous attack complex to examine the mechanism of astragalus membraneceus in the treatment of MN. We found that complement membranous attack complex could increase lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from podocytes and Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) could prevent LDH release from podocytes in a time- and dose-dependent pattern. Moreover, AS-IV restored podocyte morphology and cytoskeleton loss induced by complement membranous attack complex. Furthermore, AS-IV was able to reduce phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 induced by complement membranous attack complex.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, the mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of MN may be related to its attenuation of podocyte injury through regulation of cytoskeleton and mitogen activated protein kinase.

Sci Rep. 2016; 6: 30190.

Astragaloside IV improves lipid metabolism in obese mice by alleviation of leptin resistance and regulation of thermogenic network.[Pubmed: 27444146]

Cell lines:SH-SY5Y cells
Concentrations: 0, 25, 50 and 100 μM
Incubation Time: 24 h
Method:
Neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y cells are maintained in DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37 °C in a humidified incubator supplied with 5% CO2. After seeded in 6-well plate at 5 × 105 cells/ml and cultured without FBS overnight, the cells are treated with ASI (0, 25, 50 and 100 μM) for 24 h. Thereafter, they are harvested with CelLyticTM MT mammalian tissue lysis reagent supplemented with protease and phosphatase inhibitors followed by sonication, and stored at −80℃ for further western blotting analysis.

Sci Rep. 2016; 6: 30190.

Astragaloside IV improves lipid metabolism in obese mice by alleviation of leptin resistance and regulation of thermogenic network.[Pubmed: 27444146]

Animal Models:Six-weeks old male C57BL/6 mice
Formulation: ---
Dosages:25 mg/kg/d
Administration: i.p.