Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), a major bioactive component of Astragalus, exert promising anti-obesity effects through multiple mechanisms involving various organs and pathways. APS helps alleviate obesity-related inflammation by suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines, while also improving insulin sensitivity and regulating glucose metabolism. It reduces hepatic fat accumulation, thereby protecting against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and plays a vital role in restoring gut microbiota balance by enriching beneficial bacteria, enhancing short-chain fatty acid production, and strengthening intestinal barrier function, which collectively reduce endotoxin-induced inflammation and metabolic disturbances. With its multi-targeted actions and low toxicity, APS is considered a safer natural alternative for treating obesity.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813025045362
