Meta-analysis shows Astragalus mongholicus Bunge improves wound contraction in 559 animal models
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Key Takeaway
Consider preclinical data on Astragalus mongholicus Bunge for wound contraction, but note results need clinical validation.
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from animal models of skin wounds to assess the effects of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge. The study included 559 animals and compared the botanical intervention against placebo or no treatment. Secondary outcomes included angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and pro-inflammatory factors.
The primary analysis demonstrated that wound contraction percentage was higher in the Astragalus mongholicus Bunge group compared to control. The pooled effect size was a standardized mean difference of 4.18, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.40–5.96 and a P value less than 0.0001. Absolute numbers for these outcomes were not reported.
Safety data indicated that no harmful events were reported in these animal models, though serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported. The authors acknowledge that therapeutic efficacy and safety remain poorly understood and that more studies with comparable protocols are needed.
The practice relevance is described as demonstrating the huge potential of this botanical drug for wound treatments. However, the authors explicitly state that preclinical results do not imply clinical efficacy and that causality is based on association in experimental models.
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundWounds continue to represent a significant public health challenge globally. In recent years, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, a traditional Chinese botanical drug utilized for wound treatment, has garnered increasing research attention. However, the therapeutic efficacy and safety of this natural botanical drug on wound healing remain poorly understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge in animal wound models to propel future studies towards definitive preclinical and initial clinical trials.MethodsA systematic search of seven databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled studies that compared Astragalus mongholicus Bunge to placebo or a “no treatment” arm in animal models of skin wounds. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias of the included studies using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool for preclinical animal studies and extracted relevant information according to a predesigned extraction form. Random effects models were used to estimate the pooled effect and the data were analyzed using R software.ResultsFinally, 20 citations (including 21 studies) with 559 animals were included. The meta-analysis revealed that compared to the control group, wounds treated with Astragalus mongholicus Bunge had a higher wound contraction percentage [standardized mean difference 4.18, 95% confidence interval 2.40–5.96, P < 0.0001]. Additionally, the Astragalus mongholicus Bunge treatment group exhibited a positive effect in enhancing angiogenesis, facilitating collagen deposition, and diminishing pro-inflammatory factors. Meantime, no harmful events were reported.ConclusionAstragalus mongholicus Bunge presented positive effects on the process of wound healing in experimental models used, demonstrating the huge potential of this botanical drug for wound treatments. More studies with comparable study protocols should be performed to validate the results of the present systematic review and meta-analysis.Systematic review registrationThis study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250641262).
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