A review of the pharmacology and toxicology of Astragalus

Some Astragalus species are used as forage for livestock and wild animals. Many species are used in folk medicine for their hepatoprotective, antioxidative, immunostimulant, and antiviral properties, whereas others are toxic, and in many cases the toxic principles can pass to humans through milk and meat. Three groups of chemicals have been described as pharmacologically active principles: polysaccharides, saponins and phenolics. In addition, three kinds of toxic principles have been reported: indolizidine alkaloids, aliphatic nitro compounds and selenium. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.