Planta Medica International Open 2017; 4(S 01): S1-S202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608428
Poster Session
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Astragalus mongholicus hydroethanolic root extract: HPTLC characterization and effects on telomere elongation

I Guinobert
1   Groupe PiLeJe, 37 Quai de Grenelle, 75015, Paris, France
,
V Bardot
1   Groupe PiLeJe, 37 Quai de Grenelle, 75015, Paris, France
,
C Cotte
1   Groupe PiLeJe, 37 Quai de Grenelle, 75015, Paris, France
,
M Dubourdeaux
1   Groupe PiLeJe, 37 Quai de Grenelle, 75015, Paris, France
,
R M'Kacher
2   Cell Environment, Champigny sur Marne, France
3   APHP-Hopital Paul Brousse Université Paris Sud/ESteam Paris Inserm UMR 935, Villejuif, France
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)

 

Telomeres, the protective ends of linear chromosomes, play a major role in the maintenance of genome integrity and stability. Telomere shortening is involved in age-related disorders such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer [1]. Astragalus mongholicus, depending on the type of extract, is known to stimulate telomerase activity that compensate telomere shortening [1,2].

We determined the phytochemical composition of a hydroethanolic extract of fresh A. mongholicus root (HRE; marketed under the brand name EPS Astragalus) and assessed its effects on telomere elongation.

High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis showed that amino acids, sugars and flavonoids were strongly present in the HRE unlike terpenoids and phenolic acids that generated a lower signal. Astragaloside specific analysis revealed the presence of astragalosides I to IV.

Cytotoxicity assay was performed after treatment of lymphoblastoide cell lines and circulating lymphocytes from 10 patients with 1 µl/ml of HRE for 72h. High cellular viability (> 80%) and increased mitotic index compared to controls were observed after HRE treatment. A moderate toxicity was observed only for two patients. Quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) technique was used to quantify telomere length of circulating lymphocytes of 10 patients with telomere dysfunction (high proportion of short telomeres) after HRE treatment. For 7 patients, we demonstrated that the HRE treatment significantly induced telomere elongation (from 0.05 to 2.5 kb; p < 0.01) and was associated with a decrease in the frequency of cells with very short telomeres.

The flavonoid- and astragaloside-rich A. mongholicus HRE tested could increase telomere length suggesting that the extract could be interesting in the management of age-associated diseases and telomeropathies. The advantages and risks associated with the modification of telomere length will be assessed.

[1] Molgora B et al. Cells 2013; 2: 57 – 66.

[2] Jager K, Walter M. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7: 1 – 24