Astragalus
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 720 participants, researched for Immune Support, Kidney Health, Anti-Aging.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Immune Support
StrongKidney Health
ModerateAnti-Aging
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Immune Support
To assess Astragalus injection on immune function in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Astragalus injection on immune function in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Dose
20 g/day IV Astragalus injection
Participants
120 cancer patients
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Astragalus injection significantly enhanced NK cell activity and T-cell counts, and reduced chemotherapy-associated immunosuppression. PMID: 15619473
How They Measured It
NK cell activity, T-cell counts, cytokine levels
To meta-analyze Astragalus-based treatments on immune outcomes in cancer patients
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To meta-analyze Astragalus-based treatments on immune outcomes in cancer patients
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple RCTs pooled
Duration
Various
Results
Astragalus-based formulations significantly improved 1-year survival and quality of life in non-small cell lung cancer patients. PMID: 16368563
How They Measured It
Survival, tumor response, quality of life, immune markers
To evaluate Astragalus polysaccharides on vaccine immune response
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Astragalus polysaccharides on vaccine immune response
Dose
10 g/day
Participants
60 healthy elderly adults
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Astragalus supplementation significantly enhanced antibody production and cellular immune response following influenza vaccination in elderly.
How They Measured It
Antibody titers, cellular immune markers
Kidney Health
To assess Astragalus in idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Study Type
Case report and clinical study
Purpose
To assess Astragalus in idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Dose
Astragalus root extract
Participants
12 nephropathy patients
Duration
6 months
Results
Astragalus membranaceus treatment improved kidney function, reduced proteinuria, and achieved clinical remission in nephropathy unresponsive to conventional therapy. PMID: 18037104
How They Measured It
GFR, proteinuria, serum creatinine
To assess Astragalus formula in moderate-high risk membranous nephropathy
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess Astragalus formula in moderate-high risk membranous nephropathy
Dose
Various formulations
Participants
Multiple RCTs pooled
Duration
Various
Results
Astragalus combined with conventional therapy significantly improved complete and partial remission rates compared to conventional therapy alone. PMCID: PMC9981402
How They Measured It
Proteinuria, GFR, remission rate
To evaluate Astragalus on diabetic nephropathy
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Astragalus on diabetic nephropathy
Dose
15 g/day extract
Participants
80 patients with diabetic nephropathy
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Astragalus supplementation increased GFR, decreased urinary protein, and reduced inflammatory markers in diabetic nephropathy patients.
How They Measured It
GFR, urinary protein, TNF-α, MCP-1
Anti-Aging
To investigate Astragalus anti-aging effects through hematopoietic stem cell quiescence
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate Astragalus anti-aging effects through hematopoietic stem cell quiescence
Dose
200 mg/day ground Astragalus
Participants
Aged mice
Duration
Lifetime study
Results
Astragalus supplementation maintained hematopoietic stem cell quiescence and decreased cellular senescence, contributing to anti-aging effects. PMID: 30891565
How They Measured It
Stem cell populations, senescence markers, lifespan
To evaluate ASTCOQ02 (Astragalus-based) on anti-aging safety and tolerability
Study Type
Clinical study
Purpose
To evaluate ASTCOQ02 (Astragalus-based) on anti-aging safety and tolerability
Dose
Standardized ASTCOQ02 capsules
Participants
68 healthy adults aged 53-87
Duration
6 months
Results
Astragalus-based supplement was well-tolerated with no significant changes in weight, blood pressure, immune parameters, or biochemical safety markers.
How They Measured It
Biomarkers, weight, blood pressure, immune parameters, ECG
To review Astragalus membranaceus capacity to delay cellular aging
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review Astragalus membranaceus capacity to delay cellular aging
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Astragalus exerts anti-aging effects via telomerase activation (cycloastragenol), reduction of oxidative stress, and immune modulation. PMCID: PMC12029721
How They Measured It
Literature review across cell and animal studies
To investigate cycloastragenol (Astragalus derivative) on telomerase and cellular aging
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate cycloastragenol (Astragalus derivative) on telomerase and cellular aging
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
Human fibroblast and T-cell cultures
Duration
N/A
Results
Cycloastragenol significantly activated telomerase, elongated telomeres, and increased proliferative capacity of T-cells without evidence of malignant transformation.
How They Measured It
Telomerase activity, telomere length, cell proliferation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Astragalus research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), involving 720 total participants. Research covers Immune support, Kidney health, Anti-aging. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Astragalus has been researched for: Immune support, Kidney health, Anti-aging. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 10 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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