Comparison of the Immunomodulatory Effect of TCM Formulas Containing Either Astragali Radix or With This Replaced by Hedysari Radix

Abstract

Hedysari Radix (Hong Qi) is a commonly substituted material with similar functions to Astragali Radix (Huang Qi). However, it is still misused as Huang Qi, even though people know they are different species. This study aims to find evidence that Hong Qi can replace Huang Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas used for immunomodulation. Therefore, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of both medicines on dendritic cells. The water extract of Hong Qi showed a more substantial immunomodulatory effect on dendritic cells in 500 μg/mL concentration compared to Huang Qi in the same dosage. Furthermore, we selected the 23 TCM formulas to investigate their immunomodulatory function when Huang Qi and Hong Qi alternated within a formula. Among them, 6 formulas containing Hong Qi demonstrated a better immunomodulatory effect on the dendritic cells than those containing Huang Qi. The other formulas containing Hong Qi showed an insignificantly different physiological impact from the original formulation. Therefore, based on the TCM theory and our experimental results, replacing Huang Qi with Hong Qi for a formula could be more suitable when the immunomodulatory effect or nourishing Qi is required.

Development and validation of a simple ultra‐high‐performance‐tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of five bioactive components in rat plasma of Hedysari Radix

“…It has the properties of tonifying qi and ascending yang, strengthening the exterior and reducing sweat, nourishing blood for promoting the production of fluid, pus‐draining, and toxin expulsion, and promoting wound healing in sore muscles. Hedysari Radix is rich in pharmacologically active constituents such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, saponins, and amino acids, which possess immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hypoglycemia, and anti‐aging properties [1–3]. Studies have shown that Hedysari Radix antagonizes the immunosuppressive effects of cyclophosphamide and other drugs [4].…”

Design of Ratio-Fluorescence Nanohybrid Based on Radix Hedysari Green-Synthesized CDs and GSH-AuNCs for Sensitive Detection of Cefodizime Sodium in Urine Sample

“…Fortunately, CDs can also be easily prepared using a large number of low-cost and readily available green precursors as raw materials, showing the obvious advantages of being natural, non-toxic, and renewable [23,24]. Radix Hedysari, a time-honored folk herb used in traditional China, has good pharmacological effects [25,26] attributed to the various components of flavonoids, triterpenoids and triterpenoid saponins, coumarins, organic acids, and polysaccharides [27,28]. In addition to their efficacy in diseases, these ingredients have also shown good biological activity, which would act as an excellent carbon source.…”