Effects Of Astragalus Polysaccharides Research Articles

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on iNOS-NO Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Human Thyroid Cells

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on iNOS-NO Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Human Thyroid Cells

Effect of astragalus polysaccharides (PG2) treatment of adjuvant chemotherapy-induced fatigue in premenopausal patients with breast cancer.

537 Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer (BC) patients who are receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Astragalus Polysaccharides (PG2) had been proved to relieve cancer-related fatigue in advanced BC patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of PG2 as a complementary treatment among stage II/III BC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy of epirubicin-cyclophosphamide(EC) regimen in reduction of chemotherapy-induced toxicity and encouraging compliance with chemotherapy. Methods: This double blind, multicenter, phase II trial randomized stage II/III BC patients who would receive adjuvant EC at least 4 cycles to either PG2 500 mg or placebo on day1, 3, 8 every 21 days as the combination. Changes in chemotherapy-related fatigue score (CRFS) was evaluated by the Brief Fatigue Inventory-Taiwanese Form and incidence of Grade 3/4 neutropenia were the primary endpoints. Results: A total of 66 eligible patients were enrolled and equally randomized to PG2 and placebo groups, 30 cases in each group completed this trial. In general, there was no significant difference in the mean change of CRFS and fatigue intensity between the groups. But the CRFS and fatigue intensity in premenopausal-PG2 group were less aggravated after 4 cycles of EC than that of postmenopausal-placebo group. Persisted significance difference in CRFSs from cycle 1 day 5 (PG2: 0.6; Placebo: 1.9, P = 0.023) to cycle 4 day 15 (PG2: -0.3; Placebo: 0.7, P = 0.002). In all population, a lower proportion of patients suffered from grade 3/4 neutropenia from cycle 1 to cycle 4 were observed in the PG2 group compared to the placebo group (78.8% vs. 87.9% in intent-to-treat population). Conclusions: PG2 combined with adjuvant EC significantly improved adjuvant EC-induced fatigue in premenopausal BC patients. PG2 assists these patients with maintaining normal daily life and job activities, also less need of family support during chemotherapy. Furthermore, patients treated with PG2 might have better compliance to complete the whole course of adjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT03314805 .

Rheological, textural, and water-immobilizing properties of mung bean starch and flaxseed protein composite gels as potential dysphagia food: The effect of Astragalus polysaccharide

The effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on rheological, textural, water-holding, and microstructural properties of mung bean starch (MBS)/flaxseed protein (FP) composite gels were investigated. Results showed that the storage modulus (G′) of gels with APS were significantly lower than that of the control gel, while different concentrations of APS possessed diverse effects on the hardness, gumminess and cohesiveness of the gels. Adding APS significantly improved the water retention capacity by trapping more immobilized and free water in the gel network. Microstructurally, the MBS/FP/APS composite gels displayed a complex network with reduced pore size compared with that of the control gel (MBS/FP). International dysphagia diet standardization initiative (IDDSI) tests suggested that gels with APS contents below 0.09 % could be classified into level 6, while gel with 0.12 % APS could be categorized as level 7. Mechanistically, APS could influence the interactions between starch and protein within the tri-polymeric composite systems by affecting starch gelatinization and hydrogen bonding, further contributing to the formation of strengthened gel network and the change of gel properties. These results suggest that the macromolecular APS can improve the structural and textural properties of the starch-protein composite systems, and impart various functional properties to the FP-based gel foods.

IFIT3 and IFIT5 Play Potential Roles in Innate Immune Response of Porcine Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells to Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus.

Our previous study has demonstrated that porcine pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) are susceptible to highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV). The innate immune response of MVECs infected with HP-PRRSV would play important roles in controlling virus proliferation, resisting cellular injury, and preventing the virus from spreading to other tissues and organs. Type I interferon is one of the most effective antiviral cytokines in the innate immune response, and interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are members of interferon-stimulated genes induced by viruses and other pathogens, which are crucial in inhibiting virus proliferation and regulating the innate immune response. However, their effects on HP-PRRSV-induced innate immunity in porcine pulmonary MVECs remain unclear. Here, the roles of IFITs in porcine pulmonary MVECs infected with the HP-PRRSV HN strain were investigated, and the effects of astragalus polysaccharides (APS), a widely used traditional Chinese herbal ingredient with the immunopotentiating effect, on them were studied. The results showed that more autophagosomes were observed in HP-PRRSV-infected MVECs, and the expression of IFN-α, IFIT3, and IFIT5 decreased or increased at different time points after infection. When silencing the genes of IFIT3 or IFIT5, the HP-PRRSV replication in MVECs was significantly increased. The expression of IFIT3 and IFIT5 could be upregulated by APS, whose inhibitory effects on the HP-PRRSV replication significantly declined when the genes of IFIT3 or IFIT5 were silenced. The results suggest that IFIT3 and IFIT5 play an important role in inhibiting the HP-PRRSV replication in porcine pulmonary MVECs, and APS suppress the multiplication of HP-PRRSV by upregulating their expression.

Astragalus polysaccharide alleviated the inhibition of CSFV C-strain replication caused by PRRSV via the TLRs/NF‑κB/TNF-α pathways

It is a common phenomenon that PRRSV infection can interfere with the protective efficacy of the CSFV vaccine in clinical settings, and no effective treatment is available. In our previous study, we found that PRRSV infection could inhibit the replication of CSFV-C by promoting the high expression of inflammatory cytokines. In order to further investigate whether Chinese medicine could alleviate the inhibition effect, the PAM39 cells model, which was co-infected with PRRSV and CSFV-C, was established. The effects of Chinese medicine on this co-infection model, as well as the effect of astragalus polysaccharide on the TLRs/NF-κB/TNF-α pathways, were investigated. Our results demonstrated that PAM39 cells inoculated with different pathogenic PRRSV significantly inhibited the replication of CSFV-C and up-regulated the major inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α. For the following studies, 50 µM of astragalus polysaccharide was selected from six kinds of representative Chinese medicine based on their cytotoxicity, viral titers, and inflammatory mediators. Further experiments indicated that astragalus polysaccharide could alleviate the inhibition of CSFV-C replication in the co-infection group with no influence on cell viability. In addition, astragalus polysaccharide treatment clearly reduced P65 phosphorylation and down-regulated the expression of TLR7, TLR9, and TNF-α in co-infection group, implying that the TLRs/NF-κB/TNF-α pathways may play an important role in astragalus polysaccharide's anti-inflammatory response. In conclusion, astragalus polysaccharide treatment alleviated PRRSV-mediated inhibition of CSFV-C replication via the TLRs/NF-κB/TNF-α pathways, and the molecular mechanism of PRRSV co-infection leading to the failure of CSFV vaccine immunization was partially elucidated, providing a scientific basis for effective CSF prevention and control in pig farms.

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on CD8+ Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in Mice with Herpes Simplex.

Objective This study aimed to explore whether astragalus polysaccharides (APS) could treat herpes simplex by increasing tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TRM cells) and analyze its potential mechanism using the network pharmacologic approach. Methods C57BL/6J male mice aged 6–8 weeks were divided into a model group with HSV-1 infection treated by saline, a control group without HSV-1 infection but treated by saline, and an APS group with HSV-1 infection treated by APS. Clinical signs were observed, and the disease score was recorded every day. The skin lesions on day 9 after infection were taken for flow cytometric analysis to evaluate CD8+ TRM cells. Network pharmacologic analysis was performed to select the potential protein targets of astragalus associated with herpes simplex. Besides, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed. The peripheral blood from the retroorbital venous plexus was collected to evaluate the levels of serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 12 (IL-12). The comparisons of clinical signs, the disease score, CD8+ TRM cells, the serum IFN-γ, and IL-12 levels were performed among the three groups. Results Compared with the model group, the disease score in the APS group was significantly lower (p < 0.05). On the day 9 after HSV-1 infection, there was no significant difference in the body weight of mice among the three groups. However, compared with the control group or model group, the spleen weight in the APS group increased significantly (p < 0.05). The surface antigens of CD8+ TRM cells had no significant difference between the control group and the model group, while compared with the model group, the surface antigens of CD8 (p < 0.05), CD69 (p < 0.05), and CD103 (p < 0.05) in the APS group increased significantly. Moreover, the serum IL-12 (p < 0.05) and IFN-γ (p < 0.01) levels in the APS group increased significantly compared with the model group. Conclusion Our study suggested that APS could alleviate the symptoms of the mice infected with HSV-1, and CD8+ TRM cells in the skin lesions and the levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in the serum of mice with HSV-1 infection increased after the APS treatment, of which the specific underlying mechanism requires further experiments to clarify. In addition, the antiviral effect of APS might be worthy of further development and utilization.

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharide on imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis in mice and its mechanisms

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Astragalus polysaccharide on improving imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis in mice. Methods: Forty healthy female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, including blank control group, model group, astragalus polysaccharide high-dose group (200 mg/kg), medium-dose group (100 mg/kg) and low-dose group (50 mg/kg), with 8 mice in each group. The mice in model group and astragalus polysaccharide treatment group were treated with 5% imiquimod cream on the back to induce psoriasiform dermatitis. PASI score was monitored, and the secretion of inflammatory factors was determined by ELISA. The secretion of inflammatory factors was closely related to the infiltration of macrophages. The infiltration of macrophages in skin was detected by flow cytometry to further explore the effect of different concentrations of APS on psoriasis. Results: Compared with control group, the PASI score and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased significantly (P＜0.05), and the infiltration of macrophages in skin tissue was increased significantly in model group (P＜0.05). Compared with model group, the PASI score was decreased significantly (P＜0.05), and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were down-regulated significantly in astragalus polysaccharide high-dose and medium-dose groups (P＜0.05). The infiltrating macrophages in skin tissue were decreased significantly in Astragalus polysaccharide high-dose group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Astragalus polysaccharide improve psoriasiform dermatitis in mice by inhibiting the infiltration of macrophages in skin tissue and decreasing the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in serum.

Attenuation of postharvest peel browning and chilling injury of banana fruit by Astragalus polysaccharides

The effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on peel browning and chilling injury (CI) of banana fruit was investigated. The results showed that APS induced the activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, reduced the H2O2 accumulation and the membrane lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, by which delayed fruit CI, alleviated peel browning and the loss of nutrients in the flesh. It also improved the antioxidant capacity of fruit, enhanced the expression of MaSOD, MaCAT, MaAPX and led to the increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. Moreover, APS up-regulated the expression of MaPOD, MaPAL, MaCHS and down-regulated the expression of MaPPO, resulting in the composition changes of the phenolics and flavonoids in banana fruit. Higher levels of hesperidin, ferulic acid, acacetin and myricetin were detected in APS treated fruit and were involved in alleviating fruit CI and peel browning. The present results for the first time demonstrated that APS treatment alleviated the CI of banana fruit, and provided a promising strategy for enhancing postharvest chilling tolerance.

Retraction.

Retraction: "Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on apoptosis of myocardial microvascular endothelial cells in rats undergoing hypoxia/reoxygenation by mediation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway," by Qingling Zhou, Guowei Meng, Fei Teng, Qiang Sun, Yongshan Zhang, J Cell Biochem. 2018; 806-816: The above article, published online on 28 June 2017 in Wiley Online Library (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcb.26243) has been retracted by agreement between the the journal's Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. A detailed investigation revealed that several image elements of the experimental data were published elsewhere in a different scientific contest. Thus, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid.

Astragalus polysaccharide alleviates alveolar bone destruction by regulating local osteoclastogenesis during periodontitis.

Inflammatory imbalance of bone formation/resorption leads to alveolar bone destruction. Astragalus polysaccharide has been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory effects. We sought to disclose the protective effect and its potential mechanisms of astragalus polysaccharide in the periodontitis model. Experimental periodontitis was induced by cotton ligatures for this study. We measured the alveolar bone damage rate, periodontal osteoclasts, proportion of CD4+Foxp3+, CD4+IL-10+, CD4+TGF-β+ subsets in the gingiva, and RANKL, OPG, TGF-β+, and IL-10+ level in the gingiva. We also cultured osteoclast precursor cells in the presence of RANKL and astragalus polysaccharide. Osteoclasto-like cells were identified by TRAP staining, mRNA of RANK, TRAP, and TRAF6 were evaluated by real time PCR. We found that astragalus polysaccharide caused significant protection of the alveolar bone via reducing local osteoclasts. It also decreased the proportion of CD4+Foxp3+ cells and upregulated the level of CD4+IL-10+ cells, reduced RANKL, and remedied IL-10 levels. In cell culture experiments, astragalus polysaccharide prohibited the RANKL mediated osteoclast differentiation. The findings of this study disclose the functions and possible mechanisms of astragalus polysaccharide engaged in local osteoclastogenesis, and reveal the considerable effect of astragalus polysaccharide in alveolar bone homeostasis and its likely contribution to host immuno-regulation in periodontitis.

The effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on growth, gut and liver health, and anti-viral immunity of zebrafish

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on growth performance, gut and liver health and anti-viral capability of zebrafish. Zebrafish were fed control diet and the experimental diets containing 0.01% or 0.02% APS for three weeks. Growth performance, gut health parameters such as expression of inflammatory and tight junction genes, antioxidant capability, and microbiota composition were detected after three weeks feeding. Liver health was evaluated by serum ALT and AST levels, as well as expression of genes realated to inflammation and lipid metabolism. Zebrafish were challenged by SVCV at the end of feeding. The antiviral immune response was evaluated at 4 days post SVCV infection and survival rate was calculated 14 days after challenge. The results showed that 0.01% and 0.02% APS supplementation increased weight gain and decreased the FCR of zebrafish (P < 0.05). The intestinal expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, tight junction protein 1b, and Occludin1 was significantly up-regulated in 0.01% APS group compared with control (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.01% APS decreased the content of MDA and increased total antioxidant capacity in zebrafish intestine, and the relative expression of SOD, GST and Gpxa were improved. Total bacteria and the abundance of Fusobacteria and Firmicutes in the intestinal microbiota was increased in 0.01% and 0.02% APS groups compared with control (P < 0.05). Zebrafish fed 0.01% APS showed higher survival rate after SVCV challenge. Accordingly, the expression of antiviral genes in the spleen was increased at 4 days post infection. In contrast to 0.01% supplementation, 0.02% APS compromised liver health, and exerted no positive effects on antiviral immunity. In conclusion, our results indicate that dietary 0.01% APS supplementation can improve growth performance, gut health and antiviral immunity of zebrafish, while 0.02% APS compromised liver health.

Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on intestinal inflammatory damage in goslings infected with gosling plague

ABSTRACT 1. This study explored the effects of Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APS) on intestinal inflammatory damage of goslings infected with parvovirus (‘gosling plague’). 2. A total of 90 healthy goslings were randomly divided into three groups; control, infected or APS treated, respectively. Goslings in the infection and APS treatment groups were inoculated with 0.3 ml allantoic fluid containing goose parvovirus (ELD50 = 1 × 103/0.3 ml) by intramuscular injection and the control group were injected with saline (0.3 ml) twice a day for 15 days. 3. Blood serum and the jejunum were collected at 5, 10 and 15 days after the start of the experiment to detect the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, levels of MDA, sIgA, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, LITAF, NF-κB, COX-2 and PGE2, pathological damage in the jejunum and serum IgG, IgM, C3, C4, IFN-γ levels. 4. After APS treatment, SOD and GSH-Px activities increased, MDA content decreased; sIgA, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α protein content, and IL-1β, IL-6, LITAF, NF-κB, COX-2 and PGE2 mRNA expression decreased in the jejunal tissue, serum IgG, IgM, C3, C4, IFN-γ significantly increased and pathological damage of jejunum significantly improved. 5. In conclusion, APS reduced intestinal inflammatory damage in goslings infected with parvovirus by improving the immune and antioxidant functions of goslings.

Effects of astragalus polysaccharides on the quality of frozen-thawed Tibetan boar spermatozoa and levels of genomic DNA methylation in the sperm

Effects of astragalus polysaccharides on the quality of frozen-thawed Tibetan boar spermatozoa and levels of genomic DNA methylation in the sperm

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on intestinal morphology and intestinal immune cells of Muscovy ducklings infected with Muscovy duck reovirus

Muscovy duck reovirus (MDRV) infection induces serious immunosuppression and intestinal injury in Muscovy ducklings with a high morbidity and mortality, and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) pretreatment could efficiently protect ducklings from MDRV infection, although the underlying immunoregulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate effects of APS on the intestinal mucosal immunity in MDRV-infected Muscovy ducklings. A total of 190 1-day-old healthy Muscovy ducklings were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 50): normal control group, APS pretreatment for MDRV-infected group, and cohabitation infection group, then pretreated with 0.6 g/L APS or only drinking water followed by MDRV cohabitation infection with the remaining 40 artificially infected ducklings, respectively. At the 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 15 d after cohabitation infection, the intestinal samples were prepared to measure intestinal parameters including villus length, villus length/crypt depth (V/C) ratio, and wall thickness, together with counts of intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) and goblet cell (GC) by hematoxylin–eosin staining. Meanwhile, ileal secretory IgA (sIgA) and duodenal cytokine levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon gamma were detected by the ELISA and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The results showed that APS significantly improved intestinal injuries of villi length, V/C ratio, and wall thickness of the small intestine infected with MDRV, effectively inhibited the reduction of IEL and GC caused by MDRV infection, subsequently increased sIgA and all the cytokine secretions at most time points, suggesting that APS pretreatment can effectively stimulate mucosal immune function by improving intestinal morphology and repair MDRV caused injures of small intestinal mucosal immune barrier in infected ducklings. Our findings lay the foundation for further application of APS in prevention and treatment of MDRV infection.

Effect of astragalus polysaccharide combined with urine stem cell transplantation on type 2 diabetes in rats

Objective To study the effect of astragalus polysaccharides combined with hUSCs transplantation on type 2 diabetic rats. Methods Twenty-five SD rats were randomly selected into the normal control group, and the remaining 105 SD rats were used to establish type 2 diabetes model. The 100 rats successfully modeled were randomly divided into the diabetes group, astragalus polysaccharide treatment group, hUSCs treatment group, and astragalus polysaccharide + hUSCs treatment group, with 25 rats in each group. After 2 weeks of treatment, the FBG concentration, insulin and C-peptide concentrations, and body weight changes were measured in each group. The distribution and survival of PKH-26-labeled hUSCs in rat pancreatic tissue were observed by fluorescence microscopy. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of rat islet cells. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related genes in rat pancreatic tissue. Results The FBG concentration of rats in the astragalus polysaccharide treatment group, hUSCs treatment group and astragalus polysaccharide+hUSCs treatment group were significantly decreased, and that in the combination treatment group was significantly lower those in the astragalus polysaccharide group and hUSCs group, and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). Compared with the diabetic group, the insulin concentration, C-peptide concentration and body weight in the astragalus polysaccharide treatment group, hUSCs treatment group and combination treatment group rats were significantly increased, and those in the combination treatment group was significantly higher than those in the astragalus polysaccharide treatment group and in the hUSCs treatment group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The results of fluorescence microscopy showed that the number of PKH-26 positive hUSCs in the combined treatment group was 74.64±9.75 in each high power field, which was significantly higher than that in the hUSCs treatment group (43.64±5.83), the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the diabetic group, the apoptotic rates of islet cells in the astragalus polysaccharide treatment group and the hUSCs treatment group were reduced, and the relative expressions levels of mRNA and protein of TGF-β1, Smad3, and Smad7 in the pancreatic tissue were also significantly reduced(all P<0.05). The reduction was more significant in the combination treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions Astragalus polysaccharide combined with hUSCs transplantation can effectively reduce the FBG concentration, increase the concentration of insulin, C-peptide and body weight, reduce the apoptosis of pancreatic islet tissue, which may be related to the reduction of TGF-β/Smad in pancreatic tissue. Signaling pathways are involved in suppressing the inflammatory response. Key words: Astragalus polysaccharide; Human urine-derived stem cells; Transplantation; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Rat

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharide on the solubility and stability of 15 flavonoids

Poor solubility and stability are limitation factors of flavonoids application. Polysaccharides from herbs have been proven to be functional foods and potential promising natural supplements with large molecular weight and complex structures. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) are the main components of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) and novel synergistic pharmacological effects between Astragalus polysaccharides and flavonoids have been reported. However, the general effects of polysaccharides when co-administered with flavonoids are currently unknown. Herein, the influences of APS on aqueous solubilities and stabilities of fifteen flavonoids were systematically investigated, and the mechanism of effects of polysaccharides on flavonoids was further considered. The results showed that APS could significantly enhance the solubilities and stabilities of the flavonoids, with solubilization effect improved by 68.88-fold for quercetin and negatively correlated with the aqueous solubility of the flavonoid itself. A phase solubility study and Differential scanning calorimetry characterization indicated that APS could form complexes with flavonoids at 1:1 ratio with K values ranging from 1491 to 55,395 L·mol−1, a tendency to improved solubilization at higher association constant values was also observed. Those findings could provide the basis for a new approach to solving the problems of poor solubility and stability of flavonoids through the application of natural macromolecules.

Astragalus polysaccharide improves anti-tumor immunity mediated by macrophages and natural killer cells in mice

Objective To evaluate the regulatory effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on macrophage polarization and NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses in mice. Methods C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with APS once a day for seven consecutive days. Activation of immune cells was then induced by intraperitoneal injection of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I∶C) 24 h after the APS intervention. Peritoneal macrophages were collected 24 h after induction to analyze the status of polarization and the production of nitric oxide (NO). Cytotoxicity and exocytosis of activated NK cells were measured to assess the effector functions of these cells. NK cell activities induced by NKG2D were studied in the absence of the whole JNK or JNK2 signaling pathway. Results Intraperitoneal injection of APS promoted the polarization of macrophages induced by tumor cells in mice, and enhanced the cytotoxicity of NK cells to tumor cells. However, APS was in need of the involvement of appropriate stimulatory factors to have regulatory effects. Complete inhibition of JNK signaling pathway dramatically reduced the effector functions of NK cells, which could not be recovered by APS administration. Conclusions APS was involved in the regulation of anti-tumor innate immunity through enhancing the M1-polarization of macrophages and improving the effector functions of NK cells. This study might to some extent elucidate the mechanism of APS in immune regulation and anti-tumor immunity. Key words: Astragalus polysaccharide; Innate immunity; Anti-tumor immunity; Immune regulation

Empirical Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides in a Mouse Model of Ulcerative Colitis

This study was performed to study the effects of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), and to explore whether myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) involve in this process. UC model was established by dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) inducement in mouse. Then the effects of APS on UC was evaluate at the levels of cytology and molecular biology: exploring the influence of APS on MDSC by analyzing the levels of MDSC before and after the treatments of APS; evaluating the therapeutic effects of APS on UC by pathologic histology. Data showed that the levels of MDSC in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood of UC mice were significantly decreased after intervention with APS, indicating APS inhibited the level of MDSC significantly. After depletion bone marrow cells in mice, we further found that the therapeutic effects of APS in MDSC- group was significantly reduced compared with MDSC+ group. It was discovered through pathological analysis that, compared with UC model group, APS intervention group mainly manifested as reduced infiltrating acute and chronic inflammatory cells, necrotic epithelial cells and epithelial ulceration. Therefore, APS could reduce the inflammatory cell infiltration in colonic tissues of UC model mice, repair the damaged colonic mucosa, and promote ulcer healing. In conclusion, APS has a potential application in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, and is dependent or partially dependent on MDSC to achieve this effects.

Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides on Cardiac Dysfunction in db/db Mice with Respect to Oxidant Stress.

Objective Oxidant stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Previously we reported that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) rescued heart dysfunction and cardinal pathological abnormalities in diabetic mice. In the current study, we determined whether the effect of APS on diabetic cardiomyopathy was associated with its impact on oxidant stress. Methods Db/db diabetic mice were employed and administered with APS. The hematodynamics, cardiac ultra-structure, apoptosis, and ROS formation of myocardium were assessed. The cardiac protein expression of apoptosis target genes (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) and oxidation target genes (Gpx, SOD2, t/p-JNK, catalase, t/p-p38 MAPK, and t/p-ERK) were evaluated, respectively. Results APS therapy improved hematodynamics and cardinal ultra-structure with reduced apoptosis and ROS formation in db/db hearts. In addition, APS therapy inhibited the protein expression of apoptosis target genes (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) and regulated the protein expression of oxidation target genes (enhancing Gpx, SOD2, and catalase, while reducing t/p-JNK, t/p-ERK, and t/p-p38 MAPK) in db/db hearts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that APS has benefits in diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be partly associated with its impact on cardiac oxidant stress.

Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on the adhesion-related immune response of endothelial cells stimulated with CSFV in vitro.

BackgroundAstragalus polysaccharide (APS) has immunomodulatory activities on porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The immunomodulatory effects of APS on porcine endothelial cells (ECs) expose to classical swine fever virus (CSFV) remain unknown.MethodsThe virus was titrated using an indirect immune biotin enzyme standard method to confirm that porcine ECs were susceptible to CSFV infection and to determine the TCID50 of CSFV (C-strain). Porcine ECs were cultured with CSFV in the presence of APS. Relative quantitative PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of factors that influence EC adhesion and immunity.ResultsThe expression of adhesion factors mRNA increased following stimulation with CSFV; this effect was inhibited by pre-exposing the cells to APS. In addition, the expression of growth factors and some immune factors increased after infection with CSFV; this increase in tissue factor (TF), transforming growth factor (TGF-β), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) could be inhibited by the addition of APS. The immune response mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in ECs may be unregulated by CSFV as it was also inhibited by pre-treatment with APS.DiscussionThe addition of APS to the culture can obviously regulate the expression of molecules related to the adhesion, growth, and immune response of ECs, as well as the production of cytokines. Therefore, it may have the potential to be an effective component in vaccines against CSFV.