Astragalus propinquus
Astragalus propinquus, běi qí or huáng huā huáng qí, in Chinese, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a perennial plant and it is not listed as being threatened.Herbalism
A. propinquus is used in traditional Chinese medicine. A. propinquus is an component in Lectranal, a food supplement used in treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, though there is limited evidence of its effectiveness.Chemistry
Chemical constituents of the roots include polysaccharides and triterpenoids, as well as isoflavones and their glycosides and malonates. An extract of A. propinquus called TA-65 may activate telomerase, extending the lengths of the shortest telomeres which protect the terminal DNA at the ends of all chromosomes. It contains the saponin cycloastragenol.Toxicology
While several other species of Astragalus are known to cause severe poisonings in livestock due to indolizine alkaloids, aliphatic nitro compounds, and accumulated selenium, none of these constituents have been detected in Astragalus propinquus used in dietary supplements and TCM preparations.Compendial status
A. propinquus is listed in the following official pharmacopoeia:
