THE EFFECT OF ASTRAGALUS POLYSACCHARIDE ON ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED TOXICITY IN MICE

Astragalus Polysacchride (APS), an active component, was isolatedfrom the radix of Astraglus membranaceus Bge var. mongholicus(Bge) Hsiao, and the effects of APS on E. coli endotoxin-induced liver damage were investigated in mice. Theresults showed that when mice were pretreated with APS (30,60,100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1×7d,ip), the survival rate of endotoxin intoxicated mice was increased the lowering of ATPlevels and adenylate energy charge in mouse liver could be prevented .APS 100 mg·kg^-1could protect the mice from death on endotoxin (25 mg·kg^-1) intoxication; and thelevel of ATP, the value of adenylate energy charge in the protected mouse liver were al-most recovered to normal range. The effects of APS were shown to be dose-dependent.Concomitantly, the increase of MDA and decrease of GSH in mouse liver could be cor-rected by APS pretreatment. The results revealed that APS has an antioxidativeaction. An ultramicroscopic examination showed that the injury of the bio- membrane andthe crest of mitochondria were ameliorated by APS pretreatment. These findings suggest thatthe protective effects of APS on E. coil endotoxin intoxicated mice may be due to itsantioxidative action to protect the mitochondria bio-membrane, therefore, theadenylate metabolism is improved in mouse liver.