Astragalus
Astragalus has been studied in 2 papers since 2022: 2 trials in people. The newest paper, Sep 3, 2024: “A Natural Astragalus-Based Nutritional Supplement Lengthens Telomeres in a Middle-Aged Population: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study”.
2 papers study it6 findingsUpdated
“ASTCOQ02 showed beneficial effects on median telomere length compared to the placebo, with regular size increases from the first month through 3 months and then 6 months.”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 1 country
- 1 finding against
- Human trial2
Studies in people
2 studies gave astragalus to people and measured what changed.
down: Decreases percentage of short telomeres
Randomized trial40 people24 women and 16 menmean age of 56.1 ± 6.0 yearssix months
Healthy volunteers with stable physical activity
Nutrients, Sep 3, 2024
up: Increases median telomere length
no change: Has no effect on adverse side effectsNo adverse side effects reported
Randomized trial40 peoplemean 56.1 ± 6.0 years6 months
Midlife adults; healthy volunteers
Research Square, Oct 27, 2022
What did lifespan studies of Astragalus find?
DrugAgeDrugAge records 7 results from 2 papers: 7 in C. elegans. Average lifespan is the mean or the median, as each paper reports it.
What did studies of Astragalus find?
4Studies of Astragalus measured 4 outcomes; the most studied are adverse side effects (2 studies), telomere length (1) and percentage of short telomeres (1).
Adverse side effects
no changein humans2
2 studies
Adverse side effects
no changein humans2
Astragalus showed no clear effect on adverse side effects in humans.
“no adverse side effects were reported at six months”
Human trialAstragalus-based nutritional supplementsix monthsn = 40
Nutrients
Astragalus showed no clear effect on adverse side effects in humans (healthy volunteers receiving ASTCOQ02 or placebo) (No adverse side effects reported).
“All 40 subjects completed the study with no adverse side effects reported at 6 months.”
Human trialhealthy volunteers receiving ASTCOQ02 or placebocapsules6 monthsn = 40
Research SquarePreprint
Telomere length
upin humans1
1 study
Telomere length
upin humans1
Astragalus increases telomere length in humans (versus placebo, six-month randomized trial) (p = 0.01).
“Subjects taking the Astragalus-based supplement exhibited significantly longer median TL (p = 0.01)”
Human trialversus placebo, six-month randomized trialAstragalus-based nutritional supplementsix monthsn = 40
Nutrients
Astragalus increases telomere length in humans.
“ASTCOQ02 showed beneficial effects on median telomere length compared to the placebo, with regular size increases from the first month through 3 months and then 6 months.”
Human trialsix monthsn = 40
Nutrients
Percentage of short telomeres
downin humans1
1 study
Percentage of short telomeres
downin humans1
Astragalus decreases percentage of short telomeres in humans.
“The percentage of short telomeres tended to decrease in the placebo group (p = 0.16), but significantly decreased in the ASTCOQ02 group at 6 months (6.645 ± 3.680% at baseline versus 4.870 ± 1.468% at 6 months; p = 0.04; ).”
Human trialsix monthsn = 40
Nutrients
Median telomere length
upin humans1
1 study
Median telomere length
upin humans1
Astragalus increases median telomere length in humans (healthy volunteers; compared with placebo).
“Subjects taking ASTCOQ02 had significantly longer median (P = 0.01) and short TL (P = 0.004)”
Human trialhealthy volunteers; compared with placebocapsules6 monthsn = 40
Research SquarePreprint