AstraGin: A Botanical Extract with Limited Safety Data
AstraGin is a proprietary botanical extract derived from Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus roots that lacks sufficient safety data for routine clinical use, with a recommended maximum daily intake of only 35 mg for adults based on toxicity studies. 1
Composition and Properties
AstraGin is a combination of:
- Ethanol extract of Astragalus membranaceus roots
- Hot water extract of Panax notoginseng roots
Key components include:
- 1.5-5% total saponins
- 0.1-0.5% ginsenoside Rb1
- 0.01-0.1% astragaloside I 1
Both plants have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, but the specific combination extract has limited clinical research.
Safety Profile
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated AstraGin as a novel food with the following safety findings:
- No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL): 100 mg/kg body weight per day
- Safe intake level: 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day (with uncertainty factor of 200)
- Maximum safe daily intake: 35 mg for adults (excluding pregnant women) 1
The safety assessment included:
- Genotoxicity studies that did not raise concerns
- Subchronic and subacute toxicity studies that established the NOAEL
Potential Mechanisms and Effects
Limited research suggests potential effects that require further validation:
- Components from Astragalus and Panax notoginseng may have anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties 2
- Astragaloside IV (a component of Astragalus) undergoes bacterial conversion in the intestine to produce bioactive metabolites 3
- Astragalin (a flavonoid) has demonstrated procoagulant effects in laboratory studies 4
Clinical Implications
Important considerations for healthcare providers:
- The safety profile of AstraGin at doses exceeding 35 mg daily is unknown
- Pregnant women should avoid this supplement due to insufficient safety data 1
- Potential procoagulant effects of some components may interact with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications 4
- No well-established clinical benefits have been demonstrated in high-quality human trials
Monitoring and Precautions
Given the limited safety data, patients using AstraGin should be monitored for:
- Signs of adverse reactions
- Potential interactions with medications, particularly anticoagulants
- Appropriate dosing (not exceeding 35 mg daily)
Conclusion
AstraGin is a botanical extract with limited safety and efficacy data. The EFSA has established a maximum safe daily intake of 35 mg for adults excluding pregnant women. Healthcare providers should exercise caution when encountering patients using this supplement and consider the potential for drug interactions.