Abstract
The potential application of Huangqi (Astragali Radix) in the treatment of diabetes
mellitus (DM) has garnered increasing attention. β-cell dysfunction is one of the
core mechanisms in the pathogenesis of DM and effectively protecting and restoring
pancreatic β-cell function remains a key challenge in DM prevention and treatment.
Studies have shown that the active components of Huangqi (Astragali Radix) can alleviate
glucolipotoxicity-induced β-cell damage by promoting glucose uptake mediated by glucose
transporter 4 (GLUT-4), inhibiting the Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway to reduce
lipid deposition in liver and pancreatic tissues and upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor α (PPARα) gene expression. Additionally, Huangqi (Astragali Radix) can reduce
cell apoptosis by mitigating endoplasmic reticulum stress, suppress pyroptosis via
the NF-κB/NLRP3/TXNIP signaling pathway, and inhibit ferroptosis and autophagy to
decrease β-cell death. Furthermore, Huangqi (Astragali Radix) can promote β-cell proliferation
by modulating dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation, improve the islet microenvironment
by regulating immune function and reducing M1 macrophage polarization, and may delay
β-cell senescence. This review summarizes the research progress of active ingredients
in Huangqi (Astragali Radix) in protecting pancreatic β-cell, which provides new insights
and a scientific basis for its future application in DM prevention and treatment.
Keywords
Huangqi - Astragali Radix - pancreatic β-cells - diabetes mellitus - glucose and lipid
metabolism - cell death - senescence
