Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)
Herbal Adaptogens
Overview
- Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus) is a perennial legume native to northern China and Mongolia, cultivated for its thick, fibrous roots.
- Historically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), modern research focuses on its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties.
- It's a popular botanical supplement for supporting immune health and overall resilience.
Chemistry
The principal bioactive molecules include:
| Compound | Molecular formula | IUPAC (example – astragaloside IV) | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astragaloside IV (triterpene saponin) | C₄₁H₆₈O₁₄ | (3β,5α,25-trihydroxy-24-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-butoxy)-olean-12-en-3-yl) β-D-glucoside | Oleanane-type triterpene with a C-28 β-D-glucose; multiple hydroxyl groups; lipophilic aglycone |
| Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) | (C₆H₁₀O₅)n (n≈100–300) | – | High-molecular-weight β-(1→3)-D-glucan backbone with β-(1→6) branching; water-soluble |
| Calycosin (isoflavone) | C₁₆H₁₂O₆ | 7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | Typical isoflavone skeleton with phenolic hydroxyls. |
These structures confer both hydrophilic (polysaccharides) and lipophilic (saponins) properties, enabling diverse cellular interactions.
Sources & Quality
- Astragalus root is primarily cultivated in the Shandong, Hebei, and Shanxi provinces of China.
- The climate (cold-dry winters, warm summers) yields high polysaccharide content.
- Harvest occurs in late autumn when root starches peak.
- Commercial extraction employs hot-water or ethanol-water (70% v/v) maceration to isolate polysaccharides, followed by spray-drying for powders or ethanol precipitations for saponin-rich extracts.
- Standardized products must meet Chinese Pharmacopeia (CP) criteria: ≥ 30% polysaccharides, ≤ 0.5% heavy metals, and microbial limits (< 10⁴ CFU/g).
- High-quality supplements use GMP-certified facilities, third-party testing for authenticity (DNA barcoding), and a certificate of analysis for polysaccharide/saponin content to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.
Where to Buy Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)
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