Target: N/A

IC50: N/A

Astragaloside A (Astragaloside IV), a pure saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus Bge, exhibits several pharmacological actions, such as anti-hypertension, positive inotropic action, anti-inflammation, and anti-myocardial injury [1, 2]. Astragaloside IV has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and kidney disease [3].

In vitro: Astragaloside IV (2-40 μM) dose-dependently decreased TGF-β-induced a-SMA, fibronectin, CTGF, collagen I and III expression, up-regulated Smad7, but decreased p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 expression in NRK-49F cells [2]. Moreover, Astragaloside IV prevented tubular epithelial apoptosis partially through inhibiting MAPK pathway activity, thereby ameliorating renal fibrosis [3].

In vivo: Astragaloside IV (5 and 10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injection) reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase enzyme levels and attenuated this reduction in the Ca2+-ATPase activity in rats [1]. Astragaloside IV (3.33, 10, and 33 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) treatment attenuated renal damage and improved renal function through inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner in unilateral ureteral obstruction kidneys [2].

References:
1.  Xu XL, Ji H, Gu SY, Shao Q, Huang QJ, Cheng YP. Modification of alterations in cardiac function and sarcoplasmic reticulum by astragaloside IV in myocardial injury in vivo. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007;568(1-3):203-12.
2.  Wang L, Chi YF, Yuan ZT, Zhou WC, Yin PH, Zhang XM, et al. Astragaloside IV inhibits renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by blocking TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2014;239(10):1310-24.
3.  Xu W, Shao X, Tian L, Gu L, Zhang M, Wang Q, et al. Astragaloside IV ameliorates renal fibrosis via the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases and antiapoptosis in vivo and in vitro. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2014;350(3):552-62.