Advances in research on the anti-tumor mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides

Abstract

The dry root of the soybean plant Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge) Hsiao or A. membranaceus (Fisch) Bge, Astragali Radix (AR) has a long medicinal history. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the natural macromolecule that exhibits immune regulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and other pharmacological activities, is an important active ingredient extracted from AR. Recently, APS has been increasingly used in cancer therapy owing to its anti-tumor ability as it prevents the progression of prostate, liver, cervical, ovarian, and non-small-cell lung cancer by suppressing tumor cell growth and invasion and enhancing apoptosis. In addition, APS enhances the sensitivity of tumors to antineoplastic agents and improves the body's immunity. This macromolecule has prospects for broad application in tumor therapy through various pathways. In this article, we present the latest progress in the research on the anti-tumor effects of APS and its underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide novel theoretical support and reference for its use in cancer therapy.

Keywords: Astragalus polysaccharides; anti-tumor mechanism; anti-tumor therapy; apoptosis; autophagy; cancer.

Figure 1

Anti-tumor pathways mediated by APS. APS, Astragalus polysaccharides; SIRT1, Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog- 1; AMPK, Adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase; SREBP1, Recombinant Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Transcription Factor 1; BECN1,Beclin-1; xCT, Light chain subunit SLC7A11; GPX4,Glutathione peroxidase 4; JAK, Janus kinase; STAT, Signal transducer of activators of transcription; SHP2, SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2; SOCS3, Suppressor of cy-tokine signaling proteins; AKT, Protein kinase B; NF-κB, Nuclear factor kappa-B; p53, p53 protein; p21, p21 protein; Cyt-c, Cytochrome c; Bcl-2, B-cell lymphoma-2; Bax, Bcl-2-associated X; FBXW7, F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinases; EMT, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; MIF, Macrophage migration inhibitor factor; VEGF, Vascular endothelial growth factor; EGFR, Epidermal growth factor receptor; p63, p63 protein; PI3K, Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase; mTOR, Mammalian rapamycin target protein; LC3B, Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Beta.