Enrichment and purification process of astragalosides and their anti-human gastric cancer MKN-74 cell proliferation effect.

Background: Radix astragali mainly contains saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, amino acids and other chemical constituents of which total astragalosides have immunomodulatory, anti-viral, hepatoprotective, and gastric mucosa protective effects.

Objective: To investigate the process conditions for extraction, purification and enrichment of total astragalosides by macroporous adsorption resin, and to study the inhibitory effect of total astragalosides on growth of human gastric cancer cell line MKN-74.

Methods: UV spectrophotometry was applied to determine the adsorption and desorption capacity of macroporous adsorption resin on total astragaloside content, MTT assay was used to determine the inhibition of MKN-74 cell growth by total astragalosides.

A preadipocyte differentiation assay as a method for screening potential anti-type II diabetes drugs from herbal extracts.

A cell-based method for screening drug candidates from herbal extracts that have possible anti-type II diabetic effects was established. The differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes was used as a sensitive primary indicator of a drug's potential effect on type II diabetes. We established a quantitative method by using a computer image analysis system for assessing the morphological alterations.

Effects of astragaloside IV on pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in vitro.

Aim: To investigate the diverse pharmacological actions of astragaloside IV from the perspective of metabolic syndrome, and to investigate the effect of the drug on the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Adipogenesis was used as an indicator of the effect of astragaloside IV on preadipocyte differentiation, and was measured by using an oil red O assay. Glucose uptake was determined by measuring the transport of [2-(3)H]-deoxyglucose into the cells.

The study of anti-metabolic syndrome effect of puerarin in vitro.

Puerarin is an isoflavone extracted from Chinese plant, Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi. It has been reported to have comprehensive pharmacological action in treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.