TITLE:
A Preliminary Study in the Effect of Astragali radix, a Qi-Invigorating Herb, on Mitochondria: Insights at Cellular Level and Mouse Tissues Level
AUTHORS:
Yu Chen, Mengmei Li, Zhongzhen Cai, Yuming Chen, Lin Wang, Jie Teng, Qian Feng, Caixia Li, Glen Rein, Bruce Qing Tang, Xuemei Bai
KEYWORDS:
Qi, Astragali radix, Mitochondria, Total Adenylate, Antioxidant Capacity
JOURNAL NAME:
Chinese Medicine,
Vol.11 No.3,
September
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: Objectives:
To explore the effects of Qi-invigorating herbs on mitochondrial function using
cultured cells and animal organs. Methods:
Using water extracts of Astragali
radix, we investigated the effect of “Qi-invigoration” on M-1
renal cells and mouse organs in-vitro
including total adenylate production (TAP), reactive oxygen species (ROS)
levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). We also examined the effect
on antioxidant capacity by conducting an analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD)
and glutathione (GSH). Results:
1) Astragali radix
increased mitochondrial TAP generation and decreased ROS levels in both mouse
kidney tissues and M-1 renal cells. 2) Astragali radix also significantly increased MMP and GSH
levels in M-1 cells, but in the kidney tissue, there was no significant change in MMP levels and a
decrease in GSH levels. 3) Astragali
radix stimulated TAP levels in the heart, spleen, lung, kidney
and skeletal muscle tissue, which was accompanied by the reduction of ROS. 4)
For the meridian organs that Astragali
radix belongs to, the energy production and antioxidant capacity
were boosted simultaneously. Conclusions:
These results provide new insights for the biochemical basis of Qi-invigoration and
the meridian tropism theory for this Qi-invigorating herb.