Research Progress of Astragalus Polysaccharide Extraction and Biological Activity
Astragalus membranaceus(AR)is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of clinical application.It is used as medicine to improve and treat various diseases to invigorate the spleen and tonify the qi.Its main components are Astragalus polysaccharides(APS),flavonoids,saponins,alkaloids,etc.APS is an important bioactive component derived from the dried root of AR,which has various pharmacological properties.APS has a great potential to improve or treat different diseases.The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the research progress on the extraction methods and biological activities of APS.Several techniques are available to extract this component,among which microwave-assisted,enzymatic,aqueous,ultrasonic and reflux extraction are the most commonly used.This paper also summarizes the biological activities of APS,such as anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antitumor and antiviral activities.It is expected to provide theoretical support for better development and utilization of APS.