Abstract | ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Semen Astragali Complanati (SAC), the dried ripe seed of Flatstem Milkvetch (Astragalus complanatus Bunge) (Leguminosae), is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating muscle, liver, kidney, blood, skin and reproductive system diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant information about SAC was gathered via "Google Scholar", "ISI Web of Knowledge", "PubMed", "ScienceDirect", "Medline Plus", "ACS", "CNKI" and "Wiley Online Library" and from books in local libraries. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: SAC is a valuable TCM herb with multiple pharmacological effects for treating some chronic diseases. More studies on SAC will help us to have a better understanding of its pharmacological mechanisms so as to provide more scientific evidence to explain its traditional uses, identify its therapeutic potential on other diseases and understand its possible harmful effects. Based on previous studies, it is easy to identify that antioxidant effect of SAC might play an important role on its pharmacological effects. Studying the effects of SAC on handling intracellular reactive oxygen species may be a potential direction to help understanding the molecular mechanisms of SAC on preventing and/or treating chronic diseases.
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Authors | Yam-Fung Ng, Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Tung-Ting Sham, Wing-Sum Lam, Daniel Kam-Wah Mok, Shun-Wan Chan |
Journal | Journal of ethnopharmacology
(J Ethnopharmacol)
Vol. 155
Issue 1
Pg. 39-53
(Aug 08 2014)
ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland |
PMID | 24933224
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
- Plant Preparations
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Topics |
- Animals
- Astragalus Plant
(chemistry)
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
(chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Ethnopharmacology
- Humans
- Medicine, Chinese Traditional
(methods)
- Phytotherapy
(methods)
- Plant Preparations
(chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Seeds
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