We investigated the effects of astragalus root, specifically a compound known as astragaloside IV (AS-IV), on H1N1 infection, which can cause severe respiratory issues. The key focus was on how AS-IV impacts autophagy, a process cells use to manage inflammation.
In our findings, AS-IV enhanced the formation of autophagosomes, cell structures that help clean up trash within cells, in the context of H1N1 infection. This was significant because H1N1 often leads to an overwhelming release of inflammatory substances, known as a cytokine storm, which can worsen pneumonia symptoms. Surprisingly, while AS-IV didn't impact viral replication or levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, it did significantly lower the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a key inflammatory marker.
Overall, our study suggests that AS-IV could be helpful in reducing harmful inflammation during H1N1 infection, promoting autophagy activation as a potential avenue for treatment. However, it's crucial to note that the research did not isolate AS-IV's effectiveness specifically as a flu treatment. This leaves some questions remaining about its overall impact on flu symptoms.
Sickness prevention
Most Useful Review
I gave this to my son, who suffered many colds, flus, and strep throat at UCLA. Since starting this product, he’s stopped getting sick. If he feels unwell, he amps up the dosage, and it seems to prevent the illness.