Recent Advances in Astragalus membranaceus Anti-Diabetic Research : Pharmacological Effects of Its Phytochemical Constituents

Abstract EN

The disease burden of diabetes mellitus is increasing throughout the world.

The need for more potent drugs to complement the present anti-diabetic drugs has become an imperative.

Astragalus membranaceus, a key component of most Chinese herbal anti-diabetic formulas, has been an important prospect for lead anti-diabetic compounds.

It has been progressively studied for its anti-diabetic properties.

Ethnopharmacological studies have established its potential to alleviate diabetes mellitus.

Recent studies have sought to relate its chemical constituents to types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

Its total polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids fractions and several isolated compounds have been the most studied.

The total polysaccharides fraction demonstrated activity to both types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

This paper discusses the anti-diabetic effects and pharmacological action of the chemical constituents in relation to types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.