Astragalus Polysaccharide in Digestive Health: A Review of Mechanisms, Applications, and Therapeutic Potential

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ABSTRACT

Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have attracted increasing attention for their potential benefits in digestive health due to their wide range of biological activities, including immune modulation, anti-tumor effects, and enhancement of digestive functions. This review focuses on summarizing recent research regarding the mechanisms, applications, and therapeutic potential of APS in digestive health. APS has been shown to enhance digestive enzyme activities, improve intestinal structure, and regulate gut microbiota. Specifically, APS significantly increases the activity of trypsin, lipase, and amylase, leading to improved nutrient absorption. Moreover, APS promotes intestinal health by increasing villus height and the villus-to-crypt ratio, contributing to a more efficient intestinal environment. Additionally, APS exhibits prebiotic effects, fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while inhibiting harmful pathogens, thus supporting gut development and mucosal immune function. Although APS shows promising therapeutic potential, further studies are needed to elucidate its precise mechanisms and confirm its clinical efficacy in treating digestive disorders. This review aims to provide valuable insights and research references for the future application of APS in digestive health therapies.

Significance of the Study:

APS holds immense potential as a natural therapeutic for digestive health due to its multifaceted biological activities. Its ability to improve enzyme function, gut structure, and microbiota balance supports enhanced nutrient absorption and immune regulation. These properties make APS valuable in aquaculture, livestock, and potentially human medicine, improving feed efficiency and health outcomes. However, further research is essential to determine optimal usage, safety, and synergistic applications, paving the way for innovative and sustainable health solutions.

Summary of the Study:

This review explores the potential of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) in improving digestive health. APS enhances digestive enzyme activity, improves intestinal structure, and regulates gut microbiota, promoting efficient nutrient absorption and intestinal health. With prebiotic effects, APS fosters beneficial gut bacteria and suppresses harmful pathogens, supporting gut immune function. While APS demonstrates significant benefits in aquaculture, livestock, and human health, its precise mechanisms and clinical applications require further investigation, offering a promising avenue for advancing natural therapies in digestive health management.