Mechanistic convergence of Astragalus-derived phytochemicals in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review.

Authors

Yashvi Bhatt

Published in

IBRO neuroscience reports. Volume 21. Pages 450-463. Epub Jul 31, 2026.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, amyloid-β aggregation, tau pathology, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Despite extensive research, effective disease-modifying therapies remain limited, underscoring the need for multi-target therapeutic strategies. Species of the genus Astragalus, widely used in traditional medicine, have gained attention for their neuroprotective potential due to diverse bioactive constituents, including saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. This systematic review synthesizes current preclinical and emerging clinical evidence on the neuroprotective mechanisms of Astragalus species in AD. Literature was systematically analyzed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The findings indicate that Astragalus-derived compounds exert multi-target effects through modulation of key signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/ARE, MAPK, and NF-κB. These interactions collectively reduce oxidative stress, attenuate neuroinflammation, inhibit neuronal apoptosis, and improve synaptic function. Several studies further suggest roles in mitigating amyloid-β toxicity and tau hyperphosphorylation. Collectively, the evidence supports a systems-level pharmacological model in which Astragalus species mediate convergent neuroprotective effects across interconnected molecular pathways. However, translation to clinical application remains limited by insufficient human studies, variability in species-specific phytochemical profiles, and lack of standardized formulations. Future research should prioritize well-designed clinical trials, comparative species-level analyses, and mechanistic validation to establish the therapeutic potential of Astragalus in AD.

PMID:
42598552
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Aug 2026.

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