From ancient medicine chests to modern lab benches, the humble Astragalus is revealing its secrets.
Imagine a plant so widespread that it forms the largest genus in the entire plant kingdom, with nearly 3,000 species stretching across continents. This is Astragalus, a botanical giant that has quietly served humanity for centuries as medicine, food, and fodder 1 . Today, scientists are uncovering the remarkable healing powers hidden within its roots, leaves, and stems, validating traditional wisdom with cutting-edge research.
From the high deserts of Iran to the traditional pharmacy shelves of China, Astragalus has been a cornerstone of traditional medicine for over 2,000 years 5 . Modern science is now revealing that this ancient plant possesses a sophisticated chemical arsenal that can modulate our immune system, fight cancer, protect our organs, and even slow the aging process.
Astragalus isn't just one plant but an enormous family of species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with centers of diversity in Central Asia, Europe, and North America 1 .
Species in Iran
Endemic to Iran
World's Commercial Gum
| Species | Traditional Use | Region | Part Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. canadensis | Analgesic, food | America | Root |
| A. crassicarpus | Kidney tonic, food | America | Root, fruit, pods |
| A. glycyphyllos | Urinary diseases, gout | Europe | Roots, leaves |
| A. fischeri | Diabetes, bone fractures | Iran | Aerial parts, root |
| A. brachycalyx | Laxative, febrifuge | Iran | Manna (gummy exudate) |
| A. membranaceus | Strengthening immunity | China | Root |
Modern laboratories have identified three primary classes of bioactive compounds responsible for Astragalus's medicinal properties: polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids 4 5 6 . Each of these compound groups contributes uniquely to the plant's therapeutic effects.
Flavonoids like calycosin and formononetin provide anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and cardioprotective benefits 5 6 . Recent research has identified 51 newly characterized flavonoids from Astragalus species between 2020-2025 alone, demonstrating significant antioxidant and anti-cancer activities 5 .
| Compound Type | Representative Examples | Primary Pharmacological Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Polysaccharides | Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) | Immunomodulation, antioxidant, anti-tumor, blood sugar regulation |
| Saponins | Astragaloside I-IV, Isoastragaloside IV | Anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective |
| Flavonoids | Formononetin, Calycosin, Ononin | Antioxidant, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, blood vessel protection |
One particularly compelling area of research explores how Astragalus combats lung inflammation and early fibrosis. A groundbreaking 2025 study investigated the effects of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a traditional botanical drug decoction containing Astragalus mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, on silica-induced lung damage in rats 3 .
The research team designed a comprehensive experiment to evaluate DBT's protective effects:
Researchers created a lung injury model in male Wistar rats by tracheal dripping of silica suspension for 28 days, mimicking industrial lung damage 3 .
Astragalus mongholicus and Angelica sinensis were combined in a 5:1 ratio, soaked in distilled water, and decocted twice to create the medicinal extract, following traditional preparation methods 3 .
The silica-exposed rats received daily DBT at low (1.9 g/kg), medium (3.8 g/kg), or high (7.6 g/kg) doses for 28 or 42 days 3 .
The team employed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to profile DBT metabolites, conducted functional tests of lung capacity, and performed detailed histopathologic analysis of lung tissue 3 .
The findings were striking. DBT treatment significantly mitigated silica-induced lung inflammation and early fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner 3 . Metabolite target analysis revealed that DBT works primarily by reducing the expression of NOX4, a key protein in oxidative stress generation 3 .
DBT significantly decreases levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), p-SMAD3, fibronectin 1, and smooth muscle actin - all critical proteins involved in fibrotic tissue formation 3 . This demonstrates that Astragalus-based formulations can intervene in the very molecular pathways that drive destructive lung scarring.
| Reagent/Material | Function in Research | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hairy root cultures | Efficient system for producing natural compounds | Sustainable production of astragalosides |
| Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer | Identifying and quantifying chemical compounds | Profiling DBT metabolites in lung study 3 |
| Silica suspension | Creating lung inflammation models | Inducing controlled lung injury in rats 3 |
| Specific antibodies (e.g., for NOX4, TGF-β1) | Detecting protein expression changes | Measuring reduction in fibrotic proteins 3 |
| α-glucosidase enzyme | Screening for anti-diabetic activity | Testing blood sugar reduction by flavonoids 5 |
| Cell lines (HeLa, C6, HK-2) | Evaluating cytotoxicity and specific bioactivities | Testing anti-cancer effects of novel flavonoids 5 |
The therapeutic potential of Astragalus extends far beyond lung health. Recent studies have uncovered exciting new applications:
Astragalus extracts are increasingly used as complementary therapy in oncology 6 . The mechanisms include inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and migration, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and enhancement of host immunity 6 . When combined with chemotherapy, Astragalus has been shown to improve treatment efficacy while reducing toxicity in various cancers 8 .
Research over the past five years has revealed Astragalus's potential in treating metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and hypertension 4 . The plant's active components work through multiple mechanisms including reducing oxidative stress, modulating gut microbiota, and improving insulin resistance 4 .
A groundbreaking July 2025 study discovered that Astragalus root extracts significantly inhibit early stages of liver fibrosis by reducing the buildup of Collagen Type I and Fibronectin - two main markers of fibrotic tissue - without harming healthy liver cells . Unlike existing antifibrotic drugs, these plant extracts showed a more precise effect, influencing cell growth and death while sparing healthy tissue .
"In our journey to understand how nature can heal, we've discovered something truly hopeful: certain plant compounds in Astragalus may help prevent the onset of liver fibrosis, hence hold the therapeutic potential of treating liver fibrosis, which can silently progress to incurable liver cirrhosis" .
Despite centuries of use and decades of modern research, Astragalus continues to surprise scientists. Recent studies have expanded beyond the traditional medicinal root to explore the stems, leaves, and flowers, which contain similar levels of active metabolites 6 . New extraction techniques, such as the hairy root culture system, offer more sustainable ways to harness these beneficial compounds .
From ancient traditional remedy to modern biomedical marvel, Astragalus represents a perfect bridge between traditional wisdom and scientific validation - offering hope for treating some of humanity's most challenging diseases while reminding us that nature often holds solutions we have yet to fully appreciate.