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Published on: December 9, 2018

Astragalus polysaccharide ameliorates ischemic stroke via modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Yu Li1, Jing Zhang1, Shuo Li2

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Quality Essurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.

Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines
|August 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Astragalus polysaccharide (ASP) shows promise in treating ischemic stroke (IS) by protecting the brain and gut barrier. Its therapeutic effects are dependent on gut microbiota modulation, highlighting the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of global disability and mortality.
  • Astragalus polysaccharide (ASP), derived from Astragalus membranaceus, has shown therapeutic potential for IS.
  • The precise mechanism of ASP's action, particularly through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which ASP exerts neuroprotective effects against IS.
  • To investigate the role of the gut microbiota in mediating ASP's therapeutic benefits in IS.

Main Methods:

  • Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse models were employed.
  • Experiments included antibiotic treatment (ABX) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
  • Transcriptomics, network pharmacology, western blot, metagenomics, and metabolomics were utilized.

Main Results:

  • ASP significantly reduced brain injury and intestinal barrier dysfunction in MCAO mice.
  • The LPS-TLR4-MAPK pathway was identified as a key regulatory pathway.
  • ASP modulated gut microbiota, increasing beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria like g_Anaerobutyricum and g_Caproiciproducens.
  • Neuroprotection by ASP was confirmed to be microbiota-dependent.

Conclusions:

  • ASP alleviates IS-induced brain injury through the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
  • The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of ASP for IS, emphasizing the gut microbiota's crucial role.
Keywords:
Astragalus polysaccharideGut microbiotaIschemic strokeLPS-TLR4-MAPK pathwayMicrobiota-gut-brain axis

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