Astragalus membranaceus Treatment and Clinical Care Pathways for Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Management in Hemodialysis

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) treatment combined with clinical care pathways (CCP) on inflammation and oxidative stress response in hemodialysis (HD). This study comprised the establishment of an animal model for HD and the enrollment of 60 maintenance HD patients. Rats were categorized into control + HD and AS-IV + HD groups, while patients were randomly allocated to control + CCP or AM + CCP groups. In the animal model, Astra-galoside IV (AS-IV), a primary active component of AM, was administered to HD rats to assess dialysis efficiency and examine inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. For patients, assessments of hematological and biochemical parameters, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were conducted before and after a 6-month intravenous infusion of AM injection. In the rat model, AS-IV significantly enhanced dialysis efficiency and decreased levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers compared to the control + HD group. In patients, significant improvements in white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and albumin (ALB) levels in the AM + CCP group after 6 months when compared to the control + CCP group, with the reduced inflammation and oxidative stress response. Additionally, various dimensions of HRQoL showed significant improvements in the AM + CCP group compared to the control + CCP group. Astragalus membranaceus, when integrated into clinical care pathways, holds potential as an adjunctive therapy for individuals undergoing hemodialysis.