Astragalus polysaccharide, a natural product derived from Astragalus propinquus, exhibits anticancer activity and has been shown to be effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM).

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) (100 μg/mL; PBMCs) induced mature DCs could stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T lymphocytes. The proliferation index of T cells increased with an increased ratio of stimulator cells to effector cells (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in the co-culture supernatant significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). APS could in vitro induce DCs to mature, promote its antigen-presenting capacity, effectively activate CTLs, and enhance the anti-tumor function of the organism.[2]

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) (20 mg/kg; intragastric; once daily; 10 weeks; diabetes-induced SD rats) administration decreased the rats' fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and body weight. APS (20 mg/kg) administration improved the cognitive performance of diabetes-induced rats in the Morris water maze test. APS (20 mg/kg) administration reduced the number of dead cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Furthermore, APS (20 mg/kg) administration obviously upregulated the phosphorylation levels CREB, NMDA, and CaMK II. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that APS has neuroprotective effects, and it may be a candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as diabetic cognitive impairment.[1]