Effects of triterpene saponins from Astragalus species on in vitro cytokine release

Astragali Radix elicits anti-inflammation via activation of MKP-1, concomitant with attenuation of p38 and Erk

“…Use of AR as an oriental medicinal remedy for various illnesses is traditional and popular in many Asian countries. In addition, this herb is widely used in modern medicine as an immune enhancer that is thought to strengthen the host's defense system Wu et al, 2001;Yesilada et al, 2005;Chen et al, 2006), and prevent persistent infections including the common cold, influenza, and chronic hepatitis. Emerging evidence further suggests that AR is useful as an alternative treatment for patients whose immune systems have been compromised either by cancer (Chu et al, 1988), chemotherapy, radiotherapy (Cha et al, 1994;Chen et al, 2005) or AIDS (Kusum, 2004), and it may even promote recovery in these patients.…”

“…4 and 5). One of the possible mechanisms suggested to underlie action of AR as an immune enhancer is partially attributed to such anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to immunostimulation (Chu et al, 1988;Yoshida et al, 1997;Yesilada et al, 2005). Accordingly, collaboration between immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of AR may contribute to the best possible immune response, which can be the integrated action mode for various medicinal efficacies of AR.…”

Adjuvant effects of saponins on animal immune responses

“…Fifty U/ml of rIL-2 with Astragalus extract F3 was more effective than 500 U/ml rIL-2 alone (Chu et al, 1994). Yesilada et al(2005) studied the effect of 13 cycloartane-and 1 oleanan-type triterpene saponins isolated from Turkish species included Astragalus brachypterus, Astragalus cephalotes, Astragalus microcephalus, and Astragalus trojanus, as well as methanol extracts from the roots of three Astragalus cephalotes, Astragalus oleifolius and Astragalus trojanus on in vitro cytokine release. All triterpene saponins tested showed a prominent IL-2 inducing activity between 35.9% and 139.6%.…”

Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antitumor Activities of Some Turkish Endemic Plants

“…The roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound healing in Turkish folk medicine [12]. Phlomis species have been used to treat various conditions such as diabetes, gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, inflammation and wounds [13].…”