Inhibitory effects of astragali radix, crude drug in Oriental medicines on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification of mouse brain homogenate by copper.

Astragali Radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, is a crude drug used widely in Oriental medicines. It is a major component of Ougi-Keishi-gomotsu-to, a traditional herbal medicine, used for neurop patients with abnormal sensations and neuropathic pain of the legs. It was shown to have inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification by copper. The effects were similar to and stronger than those of mannitol and superoxide dismutase as free radical scavengers. These results demonstrated that Astragali Radix has inhibitory effects on oxidative stress induced by metal.