黄芪的化学成分及药理作用的研究进展

Research Progress on the Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Astragali Radix

关键词:  黄芪  化学成分  药理作用  三萜皂苷

Key words:  Astragali Radix  chemical constituents  pharmacological effects  triterpenoid saponins

摘要:

目的 系统梳理黄芪的化学成分与药理作用研究进展，重点总结近年来的新发现与新机制，以更新该领域的传统认知。方法 采用文献计量学与系统综述方法，对近四十余年（特别是2021–2025年）国内外关于黄芪的化学成分分离鉴定、药理学研究及相关机制探索的文献进行归纳、分析与整合。结果 在化学成分方面，黄芪中已分离鉴定出130余个三萜皂苷类成分，其中近年来新发现的臭椿型三萜皂苷结构新颖，糖基常伴有乙酰氨基修饰；黄酮类成分达92个，涵盖异黄酮、紫檀烷及黄酮等类型；多糖类成分结构复杂，单糖组成多样。药理作用机制研究持续深化：早期（1980–2000年）初步证实其免疫增强、心血管保护等基础药效；中期（2001–2020年）聚焦于NF-κB、PI3K/Akt等通路的调控；近期（2021–2025年）研究进一步揭示，黄芪通过调节肠道菌群-短链脂肪酸轴改善代谢性疾病，靶向CXCR4、C5aR1等新型受体调控炎症与免疫，通过干预程序性死亡及circRNA-miRNA网络发挥抗肿瘤、心脑保护作用，并借助“肠-脑轴”多组学调控改善神经功能衰退。结论 黄芪化学成分复杂多样，是其多靶点、多通路药理作用的物质基础。近年来研究在成分发现与深层次机制上取得显著进展，不仅深化了对黄芪传统功效的科学阐释，也为其质量提升、创新药物研发及临床精准应用提供了前沿依据。

Abstract:

Objective To systematically review the research progress on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Astragali Radix (Huangqi), with a focus on summarizing recent discoveries and novel mechanisms to update the traditional understanding in this field. Methods Employing bibliometric and systematic review methods, literature from the past four decades (particularly 2021–2025) concerning the isolation, identification of chemical constituents, pharmacological studies, and related mechanism exploration of Astragali Radix was collected, analyzed, and synthesized. Results Regarding chemical constituents, over 130 triterpenoid saponins have been isolated and identified from Astragali Radix, among which the recently discovered ailane-type triterpenoid saponins possess novel structures, often with acetylated amino sugar moieties. Flavonoid constituents number 92, encompassing types such as isoflavones, pterocarpans, and flavones. Polysaccharides exhibit complex structures with diverse monosaccharide compositions. Research on pharmacological mechanisms has progressively deepened: Early-stage studies (1980–2000) preliminarily confirmed its fundamental efficacies, such as immunoenhancement and cardiovascular protection. Mid-term research (2001–2020) focused on the regulation of pathways like NF-κB and PI3K/Akt. Recent studies (2021–2025) have further revealed that Astragali Radix improves metabolic diseases by modulating the gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acid axis, regulates inflammation and immunity by targeting novel receptors like CXCR4 and C5aR1, exerts anti-tumor, cardio-, and neuro-protective effects by interfering with programmed cell death and circRNA-miRNA networks, and ameliorates neurofunctional decline via multi-omics regulation of the gut-brain axis. Conclusion The diverse and complex chemical profile of Astragali Radix underpins its multi-target and multi-pathway pharmacological actions. Significant progress has been made in recent years regarding constituent discovery and in-depth mechanistic studies, which not only deepens the scientific interpretation of its traditional efficacy but also provides a cutting-edge basis for enhancing its quality control, innovating drug development, and guiding precise clinical application.