Astragalus (Huang chi root) has been used in “Traditional Chinese Medicine” for thousands of years. The human studies on astragalus demonstrate that it can prevent white blood cell numbers from falling in patients given radiotherapy and chemotherapy and can elevate antibody levels in healthy people. Especially, astragalus has been shown to have immunologic benefits by stimulating macrophage and NK (natural killer) cell activity and inhibiting T-helper cell type 2 cytokines.

Astragalus Cancer Cure and Researches

Data from clinical trials are suggestive that astragalus alone and in combination with other herbs may help with the toxic effects of cancer chemotherapy.  In a study done with 115 patients on chemotherapy, over 80% showed higher white blood cell counts when taking Astragalus. In the USA, investigators have looked at astragalus as a possible cure for patients whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus seem to help patients recover faster and live longer. According to clinical trials from the University of  California, Berkeley, Astragalus was shown to increase chemotherapy efficacy and reduce toxicity when combined with platinum-based chemotherapy to improve survival and tumor response for systemic treatments for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer.

In vitro, animal, and anecdotal data show that astragalus decreases immune suppression, a adverse effect of chemotherapy, and may increase the effects of platinum-based chemotherapy. A study done at the “Queen Elizabeth Hospital” examined the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of astragalus root. The scientists isolated five bioactive fractions from the root of astragalus – one of the fractions was found to effectively suppress the in vivo growth of syngeneic tumor in mice, and could even partially restore the depressed mitogenic response in tumor-bearing mice. Their study showed  that astragalus could exhibit both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activities, which might be achieved through activating the anti-tumor immune mechanism of the host.

In a study of 176 people undergoing chemotherapy for cancers of the gastro-intestinal tract, ginseng and astragalus were able to prevent the normal immune depression and weight loss that occurs. In a variety of human studies, astragalus has been shown to stimulate various parameters of the immune system, has anti-tumor activity, and inhibits the spreading of cancer. In studies, Astragalus polysaccharides were shown to potentiate the immune-mediated antitumor effect of interleukin-2 and the activity of monocytes, improve the responses of lymphocytes from healthy people and cancer patients. The effectiveness of astragalus cure  was put to the test in a study of cancer patients undertaken at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in the early 1980s. After giving a specially prepared astragalus extract to 19 cancer patients and 15 healthy people, physicians found that the therapy restored immune system functioning in the majority of the patients.

Chinese hospitals give astragalus to strengthen the immune systems of  those with cancer, and to preserve them from the harmful effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Astragalus may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy medications and speed the healing of patients taking these drugs, according to a research reported in 2002 in the Chinese Journal of  Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine. More than 100 Chinese herbal formulas were evaluated for their capability to ameliorate the toxic effects of anticancer agents. A formula including both Ligusticum and astragalus (Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang) was selected as most effective in stimulating hemopoietic factors and interleukin production. In a article reported in Journal of  Clinical Oncology in 2006, the authors reviewed different clinical studies and concluded that astragalus might enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy medications in some cancer patients.

In a clinical study performed at the “China Medical University in Shenyang”, designed to determine the inhibitory activity of astragalus on gastric cancer cells, human peritoneal mesothelial cell  was co-incubated with gastric cancer cells and/or astragalus. The findings of this study found that astragalus could partly suppress the apoptosis  in the cells. Researchers concluded that astragalus inhibits apoptosis caused by the gastric cancer cells, and can be used in gastric cancer treatment. In China, the Fu-Zheng (astragalus-containing herbal mixture), is commonly used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat cancer patients. In 2 randomized study of patients with stage II cervical carcinoma and breast carcinoma, those receiving standard radiotherapy plus an Fu-Zheng had increased 10-year survival rates compared with patients receiving radiotherapy alone. A similar survival effect was seen in adults with stage II hepatomas or advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving standard chemotherapy and radiation plus an Fu-Zheng compared with patients who did ot receive the herbal supplements.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus also known as Huang chi root), is a plant that has been traditionally used to boost the immune system. There are over 2,000 species of astragalus; however, the 2 related species Astragalus mongholicus and Astragalus membranaceus are the ones used for medical purposes. Astragalus has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, generally in combination with other herbs (such as angelica, ginseng and licorice), to support and increase the immune system. Latterly, of the pharmacological researches on astragalus is focused on its immune-stimulating polysaccharides and other active ingredients beneficial in treating immune deficiency conditions.

Astragalus Immune System Booster

Astragalus has been used to promote immune function and as a tonic to build stamina. Research findings shows astragalus stimulates the immune system in many ways. It enhances the number of stem cells in bone marrow and lymph tissue and encourages their development into active immune cells. Astragalus contains numerous components, including polysaccharides, flavonoids and triterpene glycosides. Polysaccharides work with other important components to strengthen and build the immune system. Astragalus; 1) stimulates NK cells, 2) enhances the production of interferon, 3) increases immune function by increasing the activity of certain white blood cells which enhances the production of antibodies.

Astragalus increases white blood cell production of the body’s own anti-viral compounds alpha-and gamma-interferon. Findings in laboratory experiments and animal-based studies demonstrates it may act against viruses like the ones that cause colds. In one study, reported in 2011 in the Journal of  Ethnopharmacology, astragalus extract were effective in stimulating immune cell responses and antibody production in lab animals.

Astragalus appears especially beneficial in cases where the immune system has been damaged by chemicals or radiation. In immunosuppressed mice, astragalus has been found to reverse the T-cell abnormalities caused by cyclophosphamide, radiation, and aging. In the USA, investigators have looked at astragalus as a possible cure for patients whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus seem to help patients recover faster and live longer.

In studies, Astragalus polysaccharides were shown to potentiate the immune-mediated antitumor effect of  interleukin-2 and the activity of  monocytes, improve the responses of  lymphocytes from healthy people and cancer patients. Scientists at “The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center” found that astragalus extract boosted the cell-destroying ability, of the immune system drug interleukin-2 (IL-2) by helping cells of the immune system. The effectiveness of astragalus cure  was put to the test in a study of cancer patients undertaken at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in the early 1980s. After giving a specially prepared astragalus extract to 19 cancer patients and 15 healthy people, physicians found that the therapy restored immune system functioning in the majority of the patients.

In a study astragalus root showed important protecting activities in cultured rat heart cells against coxsackie B-2 virus when given in the early period of infection. In a China study  intramuscular injections of astragalus extract for three-four months in patients with coxsackie-B viral myocarditis resulted in a important increase in NK (natural killer) cell activity. (The activity of their NK  cells rose 11 to 45%). Patients treated with conventional treatment showed no improvement.

A 2006 article reported in the journal “Phytotherapy Research” found that herbal tinctures of  astragalus, along with 2 other herbs to boost the immune system, licorice  and echinacea, stimulated immune cells within 24 hours of ingestion.Astragalus root stimulates virtually every phase of immune system activity. Research also showed that astragalus could promote or trigger immune cells from the “resting” state into heightened activity. Other study, on an astragalus-based Chinese remedy showed “the tendency to stimulate immune response” without suppressive effects. Long-term use heightened the activity of spleen cells. In a clinical study, 115 participant with leukopenia received a high dose of a concentrated Astragalus preparation or a low dose over a period of 8 weeks. In both groups there was a important increase in average white blood cell counts after cure. These results,  demonstrate astragalus root is an effective therapy for leukopenia.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant grown in India and other tropical regions of Asia. Curcumin, a yellow pigment in the spice turmeric. Curcumin (turmeric) has a long history of use in Ayurvedic Medicine as a therapy for inflammatory problems. Turmeric constituents include the three curcuminoids; curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin.

Curcumin and Inflammatory Diseases

Curcumin has proven to be useful in the prevention and therapy of a number of  inflammatory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory effect. Over 500 references to articles on  curcumin and turmeric have been reported in peer reviewed journals. Curcumin reduces many chemicals made by the body when inflammation is present, including the pain-producing substance COX-2.  CoX-2 is an enzyme responsible for causing pain and inflammation. The curcuminoids inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX), resulting in a well-established anti-inflammatory action. NF-kappaB (Nuclear factor-kappa) acts like a switch to turn on genes that produce the body’s inflammatory responses. Curcumin has been shown to exert strong inhibitory effects on NF-kappaB activation within the body.  The involvement of  interleukin (IL)-12 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and myocarditis has been well established, and inhibition of IL-12 has reduced the clinical symptoms of these autoimmune diseases.

Curcumin worked as well as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication for cure of osteoarthritis of the knee in a study reported in the Aug 2009 edition of the Journal of  “Alternative and Complementary Medicine“.  A study by Italian scientists demonstrated that turmeric is a safe and effective herb for osteoarthritis. After 90 days of  daily use of curcumin, compared to control group, participants manifested a 58% reduction in joint pain, stiffness and improve functionality of the joints as measured by the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index)  score.

In a  study reported in Nov 2006 in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology, curcumin prevented production of  cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and other chemicals that trigger the onset of inflammation. The natural anti-infammatory activity of curcumin is on a par with steroidal drugs and nonsteroidal drugs as indomethacin and phenylbutazone, which have adverse effects. A preliminary study that compared curcumin with a NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in 18 rheumatoid arthritis patients found that improvements in morning stiffness, walking time, and joint swelling after 2 weeks of curcumin (1,200 mg/day) were comparable to those experienced after 2 weeks of  phenylbutazone (NSAID) treatment (300 mg/day). In another study found curcumin substantially suppresses systemic inflammation markers MMP-3 by 48% to 99%, and MMP-13 by 45% to 97%. Investigators concluded curcumin could be beneficial for reducing cartilage degradation in arthritis.

The therapeutic effects of curcumin have been considered to be associated with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin is most likely mediated through its ability to inhibit COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), LOX (lipoxygenase), and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase). Improper upregulation of  COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with the pathophysiology of some types of  human cancer as well as inflammatory problems. According to study reported in 2007 in the journal “Advances in Experimental Biology“, curcumin has been shown to inhibit enzymes involved in the inflammatory process, such as COX-2, LOX and iNOS.