The effect of Astragalus membranaceus on gut microbiota and chemotherapy related complications in patients with colon cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Background: Astragalus membranaceus is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often used to modulate intestinal flora. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on intestinal flora and chemotherapy-related complications in patients undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer through clinical research and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods: The study included 86 patients with colon cancer who were assigned to the Chemotherapy (Che) and Astragalus (Ast) groups. The Che group was treated with bevacizumab combined with oxaliplatin and capecitabine and the Ast group was treated with Astragalus granules on the basis of the Che group. The intestinal flora and the incidence of chemotherapy-related complications were compared between the two groups. Results: Astragalus granules can reduce a variety of complications during chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer. At the same time, this study detected the feces of patients before and after chemotherapy and found that Astragalus can effectively increase the content of intestinal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and reduce the content of Enterococcus and Escherichia coli in patients. In addition, by detecting the serum of patients in this study, it was found that Astragalus granules can increase the level of serum CD4+ T cells and reduce the level of CD8+ T cells in patients. At the same time, Astragalus granules can also relieve the inflammatory state of patients during chemotherapy. Conclusion: TCM formula based on astragalus can effectively regulate the intestinal flora of patients, reduce the complications of chemotherapy and relieve the inflammatory state of the body during the chemotherapy of patients with colon cancer. Astragalus membranaceus has significant advantages in effectively improving the imbalance of intestinal flora caused by chemotherapy, improving the immune function of patients and reducing the incidence of chemotherapy-related complications.