Radix astragali did not significantly influence orthostatic capacity or standing time to presyncope compared to placebo in healthy men (18 ± 7 vs. 17 ± 6 min).
RCT (n=10)
Double-blind
Randomized crossover
Does Radix astragali affect orthostatic stability and cardiovascular function in healthy men?
Radix astragali does not cause adverse cardiovascular effects or impair orthostatic capacity in healthy men, supporting its potential use as a countermeasure against muscular atrophy.
Absolute Event Rate: 18% vs 17%
AIM: Recent results from animal experiments have shown that radix astragali (RA), a traditional Chinese herbal tonic, alleviates muscle atrophy under simulated weightlessness conditions, rendering RA a candidate for human use as a countermeasure against muscular atrophy. Possible cardiovascular side effects have not yet been investigated. We analyzed the effects of RA on the orthostatic stability of healthy men. METHODS: There were 10 test subjects who were assigned to a double-blinded, randomized crossover design using RA or placebo (PL) for 14 d each, respectively. Test runs were separated by a 14-d 'washout' interval. At the beginning and the end of every 14-d test run, graded orthostatic stress (GOS) consisting of head-up tilt (HUT) combined with lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was used to achieve a presyncopal endpoint. Orthostatic effects on cardiac and vascular function were continuously monitored. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the RA vs. PL groups: mean arterial blood pressure dropped by 13 vs. 17%, pulse pressure 46 vs. 35%, heart rate increased 108 vs. 117%, and stroke volume index decreased 54 vs. 49% from supine control to presyncope. Neither did RA influence standing time compared to PL (18 +/- 7 vs. 17 +/- 6 min), nor did progression from the first to the fourth trial (15 +/- 6 to 18 +/- 7 min). CONCLUSION: RA does not influence resting cardiovascular variables and orthostatic capacity in humans. It can be expected that human studies of RA's musculo-skeletal countermeasure potential will not be compromised by any cardiovascular side effects at the dosage employed in this study.
Gao et al. (Fri,) conducted a rct in Healthy (n=10). Radix astragali vs. Placebo was evaluated on Standing time to presyncope during graded orthostatic stress. Radix astragali did not significantly influence orthostatic capacity or standing time to presyncope compared to placebo in healthy men (18 ± 7 vs. 17 ± 6 min).
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