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Astragalus and Ginseng Complex Linked to Gut Health Benefits

The botanical formula, marketed by NuLiv Science as AstraGin, was associated with improved gut barrier integrity, immune regulation, and more.

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By: Mike Montemarano

Associate Editor, Nutraceuticals World

AstraGin, a combination of Astragalus Root and San-qi Ginseng extracts marketed by NuLiv Science, induced positive changes in multiple measures of digestive health compared to placebo in a small group (four men and five women) of patients with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which causes inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of the intestine. The study was published in the Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.
 
In the study, all patients took either one capsule of AstraGin before breakfast and dinner for three months, amounting to 100 mg daily, or a placebo. The participants underwent analyses for intestinal permeability, fecal DNA extraction, immunohistochemistry, white blood cell counts, appetite, bioinformatics, and more.
 
Two primary outcomes for the study were that AstraGin was linked with improved intestinal barrier integrity, as evaluated by colon tissue biopsy activity. Moreover, MPO, a biomarker of ulcerative colitis, was reduced by 58% in the treatment group, “demonstrating antioxidative and gastroprotective properties” of the ingredient.
 
The ingredient also induced several changes to gut microbes that weren’t observed in the placebo group. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium adolescentis, both considered probiotic species, increased by 420% and 180%, respectively. Meanwhile, the supplement reduced Prevotella species by 98% and inhibited the growth of Enterobacteriaceae, which increased by 14% compared to a 614% increase in the placebo group.
 
Participants in the Astragin group saw an 11% increase in neutrophils, and a 20.5% increase in lymphocyte immune cells, bringing both types closer to a healthy range.
 
AstraGin also improved L-arginine absorption, with the area under the curve (AUC) of L-arginine in the AstraGin group being 49.7% higher than the placebo group.
 
Lastly, the supplement had a positive impact on concentrations of ghrelin, a hormone which stimulates appetite that is often affected adversely by digestive conditions.
 
“The professors behind AstraGin explored multiple pathways on how AstraGin supports bioavailability,” said Richard Wang, CEO at NuLiv Science. “We’ve been down a rabbit hole of sorts the past seven years looking at different gut-related mechanisms. I know we’re still in the early stages but the data is promising in that AstraGin supports a better intestinal environment.”
 

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