About the Product
HSN EssentialSeries Astragalus Extract (500:1) is the most concentrated and technically advanced Astragalus supplement available in the HSN portfolio — an Astragalus membranaceus root extract 500 times more concentrated than the pure root, standardized to 50% Astragaloside IV (the most important bioactive compound of Astragalus), delivered in Lonza's patented DRcaps® gastro-resistant, sustained-release capsules to protect Astragaloside IV through the acidic environment of the stomach and ensure its absorption in the small intestine. 20mg of 500:1 extract per capsule = 10,000mg equivalent of pure Astragalus root (10g/capsule). 1 capsule/day on an empty stomach in the morning. Vegan. Gluten-free.
Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose + Rice flour + DRcaps® capsule [HPMC + gellan gum] + Astragalus extract (500:1, Astragalus membranaceus root, 50% Astragaloside IV) 20mg + L-Leucine (anti-caking agent) + Tricalcium phosphate (anti-caking agent).
Benefits
Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi): the adaptogen from traditional Chinese medicine with the most modern clinical evidence:
Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi — "yellow king's root" in Mandarin) is one of the 50 fundamental plants in traditional Chinese medicine, used for over 2000 years as a vital energy (Qi) tonic, immunomodulator, and longevity promoter. In recent decades, Western scientific research has identified the active compounds responsible for Astragalus's effects and documented their mechanisms of action in multiple physiological systems. The main active compounds are Astragalosides (triterpenic saponins specific to Astragalus, especially Astragaloside IV), Astragalus Polysaccharides (ASP, with immunomodulatory properties), Isoastragalins, and other secondary bioactive compounds.
Astragaloside IV: the most studied and most bioactive compound of Astragalus:
Astragaloside IV (AST-IV, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside of cycloastragenol) is the triterpenic saponin that concentrates most of the documented biological effects of Astragalus. Its mechanisms of action include: telomerase activation (TERT — Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase) — Astragaloside IV is the precursor of TA-65, the first compound to demonstrate in human clinical trials the activation of telomerase and the potential for telomere elongation in leukocytes, with implications for cellular aging; nephroprotection — reduction of proteinuria and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in models of diabetic and ischemic nephropathy via inhibition of TGF-β1; hepatoprotection — inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation that produces collagen in liver fibrosis; immunomodulation — stimulation of T lymphocytes, NK activity, and production of IFN-γ and IL-2; and cardioprotection — protection of cardiomyocytes from ischemic-reperfusion damage via PI3K/Akt activation.
500:1 concentration standardized to 50% Astragaloside IV: the highest active dose per capsule available:
The 500:1 ratio means that 1mg of extract corresponds to 500mg of pure Astragalus root — that is, the 20mg of extract per capsule is equivalent to 10,000mg (10g) of pure Astragalus root. The dose of pure Astragalus root documented in traditional studies is 10 to 60g/day (as stated by HSN on the blog), and the 500:1 extract capsule covers the equivalent dose of 10g/day in a single 20mg capsule. Standardization to 50% Astragaloside IV ensures that each capsule contains 10mg of Astragaloside IV — the Astragaloside IV dose recommended by HSN (5 to 10mg/day) is thus covered precisely and reproducibly.
DRcaps® (Lonza): the gastro-resistant capsule that protects Astragaloside IV:
DRcaps® (Delayed Release Capsule, registered trademark of Lonza Group) is a vegetable capsule with sustained release that does not dissolve in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1 to 3) but dissolves in the small intestine (pH 6 to 7), releasing the content where absorption is most efficient. Astragaloside IV is a molecule sensitive to gastric acidity — its saponin structure can be partially hydrolyzed in the acidic stomach, reducing the bioavailability of the active compound. Protection by DRcaps® ensures that Astragaloside IV reaches the small intestine intact, where it is absorbed via the lymphatic pathway (as a fat-soluble saponin) with maximum bioavailability. This is a technological choice that significantly elevates the product's quality compared to Astragalus supplements in conventional capsules.
Immunomodulation: Astragalus's most documented support for the immune system:
Astragalus membranaceus is the adaptogen with the strongest clinical evidence for immunomodulation in all herbal medicine — studied in multiple contexts including prevention of respiratory infections, support for cancer immunotherapy, improvement of immune response in HIV patients, and immune support in high-intensity athletes. Astragalus polysaccharides (ASP) stimulate the proliferation of macrophages, T lymphocytes (both CD4+ and CD8+) and NK cells, and increase the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) that guide the immune response towards defense against viruses and intracellular bacteria. For athletes with intensive training (who experience transient immunosuppression after exhaustive sessions), Astragalus can be a relevant natural immune support to reduce the incidence of respiratory infections during periods of high load.
Nephroprotection and renal support: Astragalus as a kidney protector:
Astragaloside IV has preclinical and clinical evidence for nephroprotection — protection of renal tubular cells (especially proximal tubules) against oxidative, ischemic, and high glucose-mediated damage (diabetic nephropathy). Astragalus is specifically used in Chinese medicine to "strengthen the kidneys," and the biochemical basis of this traditional use has been partially confirmed in studies documenting the reduction of proteinuria and renal fibrosis with Astragaloside IV. For athletes who frequently use NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac) or who have a family history of kidney disease, Astragalus can be relevant preventive renal support.
Telomerase activation and cellular longevity: Astragaloside IV's most innovative effect:
The most innovative and discussed effect of Astragaloside IV is its ability to activate telomerase (the enzyme that synthesizes and maintains chromosome telomeres). Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences (TTAGGG) at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division — telomere shortening is one of the central molecular mechanisms of cellular aging and senescence. Telomerase is the only enzyme that can re-lengthen telomeres, but it is inactive in most adult somatic cells. TA-65 (a semi-synthetic derivative of Astragaloside IV, developed by Geron Corporation) was the first compound to demonstrate in human clinical trials (Harley et al., 2011, Rejuvenation Research) the activation of telomerase in leukocytes of healthy adults, resulting in an increase in the proportion of longer telomeres. This "cellular anti-aging" effect is what positions Astragalus as the most innovative adaptogen for longevity.
Uses
Recommended dose: Take 1 DRcaps® capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach in the morning (absorption of fat-soluble saponins is enhanced under conditions of gastric emptiness). DRcaps® capsules should not be opened or chewed — they should be swallowed whole for proper gastro-resistant protection. Continuous use — Astragalus is considered safe for prolonged use with no evidence of long-term adverse effects at the studied doses.
