Astragalus dosage in clinical studies
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Astragalus Dosage in Clinical Studies: Key Findings
Astragalus Dosage in Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Several clinical studies have evaluated the dosage of astragalus in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a multi-center, randomized controlled trial, patients received oral astragalus granules equivalent to 15 grams of raw herbs daily for 48 weeks, showing a slower decline in kidney function compared to standard care alone 59. This dosage was well tolerated, with adverse events similar between the astragalus and control groups 59.
A meta-analysis of 13 studies involving over 1,000 participants with type 2 diabetes used two main dosing regimens: astragalus injection and astragalus aqueous decoction. While specific dosages for these forms were not detailed in the summary, both forms were associated with significant improvements in blood glucose control .
Astragalus Dosage in Animal Studies
Animal studies have explored a wide range of astragalus dosages. In a mouse model of acute kidney injury, astragalus membranaceus was administered orally at 20 mg/kg twice daily, and in some cases, up to 50 mg/kg, showing age-dependent benefits in kidney protection . Another study on anti-fatigue effects in mice used low (1.0 g/kg/day), medium (3.0 g/kg/day), and high (30 g/kg/day) doses for 10 days, with all doses showing beneficial effects, especially at higher levels .
Toxicity studies in rats found that single oral doses of astragalus extract mixture up to 5,000 mg/kg and repeated doses up to 4,000 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks did not cause significant adverse effects, suggesting a high safety margin in animal models .
Astragalus Dosage in Cognitive and Neurological Studies
In studies targeting cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation, astragalus injection was administered to mice at 5.0 mL/kg daily for 13 days, resulting in improved cognitive outcomes and reduced neuroinflammation . A clinical trial protocol for Alzheimer's disease is testing both low and high oral doses of astragalus membranaceus over 24 weeks, but specific dosages are not detailed in the summary .
Astragalus Dosage in Real-World Clinical Practice
A self-controlled case series in patients with mild to moderate CKD reported improvements in kidney function after using astragalus-containing preparations. The study noted that the benefits were observed regardless of the daily dosage or duration, but did not specify exact dosages used in practice .
Safety and Tolerability of Astragalus Dosage
Across both animal and human studies, astragalus has shown a favorable safety profile at a wide range of dosages. In clinical trials, daily doses equivalent to 15 grams of raw herb for up to 48 weeks were well tolerated 59. In animal studies, even very high doses did not result in significant toxicity .
Conclusion
Clinical studies most commonly use oral astragalus dosages equivalent to 15 grams of raw herb per day for adults, with animal studies supporting a wide safety margin at much higher doses. Astragalus injections and decoctions are also used, but specific dosages vary by study and are less frequently detailed. Overall, astragalus appears to be safe and well tolerated at the dosages used in clinical research, with beneficial effects observed in diabetes, kidney disease, and cognitive impairment 1234+5 MORE.
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