Astragalus extract linked to biological aging benefits: Telomere study

Telomeres​

The aging and lifespan of normal, healthy cells are linked to the so-called telomerase shortening mechanism, which limits cells to a fixed number of divisions. During cell replication, the telomeres function by ensuring the cell’s chromosomes do not fuse with each other or rearrange, which can lead to cancer.

Elizabeth Blackburn, a telomere pioneer at the University of California San Francisco, likened telomeres to the ends of shoelaces, without which the lace would unravel.

Study details​

The new study used a telomerase activator complex which the researchers referred to as ASTCOQ02. The complex was a blend of Astragalus extracts (250 mg, of which 40 mg was astragaloside IV and 25 mg was cycloastragenol), olive fruit extract (140 mg, of which hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives were 28 mg), zinc oxide (14.46 mg), and grape seed extract (160 mg).

Forty healthy volunteers with an average age of 56 were randomly assigned to receive either ASTCOQ02 or placebo for six months.  

The researchers reported that all the volunteers finished the study, and there were no reports of any adverse side effects.

Looking at the telomeres, the data showed that “ASTCOQ02 lengthens both median and short telomeres by increasing telomerase activity and reduces the percentage of short telomeres (<3 kbp)”, said the researchers.

Commenting on the potential mechanism(s) of action, the researchers noted that astragalosides have been reported to be metabolized to cycloastragenol, which can activate telomerase, which acts to prevent telomers from shortening and therefore protects the chromosomes.

Hydroxytyrosol from olives has also been reported to exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity, which may also be contributing the observed effects, they said.

“Our study thus opens a novel and effective therapeutic pathway to control telomere length in aging and/or support the prevention of cardiovascular-related diseases,” they concluded.