A Pilot EEG Study on the Acute Neurophysiological Effects of Single-Dose Astragaloside IV in Healthy Young Adults

Objective: This study aimed to explore the acute neurophysiological effects of a single oral dose of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on EEG-measured brain oscillations and cognitive-relevant spectral markers in healthy young adults. Methods: Twenty healthy adults (8 females, 12 males; mean age: 23.4±2.1) underwent eyes-closed resting-state EEG recordings before and approximately 90 min after oral intake of 150 mg AS-IV. EEG data were collected using a 21-channel 10-20 system and cleaned via Artifact Subspace Reconstruction and Independent Component Analysis. Data quality was confirmed using a signal-to-noise ratio and 1/f spectral slope. Absolute and relative power values, band ratios, and frontal alpha asymmetry were computed. Statistical comparisons were made using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Absolute power decreased in delta, theta, beta, and gamma bands (p < 0.05) but remained stable for alpha. Relative alpha power increased significantly (p = 0.002), with rises in relative beta, theta, and delta and a drop in relative gamma (p = 0.003). Alpha/beta and theta/beta ratios increased, while delta/alpha decreased. Frontal alpha asymmetry was unchanged. Sex differences were examined in all measures that showed significant changes; however, no sex-dependent effects were found. Conclusions: A single AS-IV dose may acutely modulate brain oscillations, supporting its potential neuroactive properties. Larger placebo-controlled trials, including concurrent psychometric assessments, are needed to verify and contextualize these findings. A single AS-IV dose may acutely modulate brain oscillations, supporting its potential neuroactive properties.