Astragaloside IV

Telomere biology & telomerase support. Astragalus compounds—including AS-IV—are repeatedly discussed as telomerase-modulating agents that help maintain telomeres, structures that shorten as cells age. Mechanisms proposed include direct or indirect telomerase activation and reduction of telomere attrition drivers (oxidative stress/inflammation). Recent vascular-aging reviews summarize these mechanisms and place AS-IV alongside cycloastragenol/TA-65 as promising candidates. MDPI

Anti-senescence signaling (multi-pathway). Preclinical work suggests AS-IV dampens inflammatory cascades (e.g., ROS/NF-κB), improves mitochondrial quality control/mitophagy, and supports endothelial/vascular function—pathways closely tied to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). MDPI

Cellular models of senescence. AS-IV has reduced senescence markers and protected cells in several models (e.g., vascular smooth muscle, nucleus pulposus, neural/astroglial cells), often via telomerase-related or mitochondrial/oxidative pathways. SpringerLink

• Oral AS-IV, single dose (human pilot): Healthy adults received 150 mg AS-IV once; EEG changes suggesting “relaxed alertness” were observed ~90 min post-dose. (Signals only; not an aging outcome.) MDPI
• Astragalus-based supplement (mix of actives) in RCT: 40 middle-aged adults took a blend (per day: astragalus extract 250 mg; AS-IV 40 mg; cycloastragenol 25 mg; plus polyphenols and zinc) twice daily for 6 months; the active arm showed increases in leukocyte telomere length vs. placebo. (Because multiple ingredients were included, effects cannot be ascribed to AS-IV alone.) MDPI
• Topical use (cosmetic/small open-label): Daily topical AS-IV (cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside) for 4 weeks was associated with longer telomeres in skin samples vs. control in 13 participants. (Dermal/biopsy outcome; very small study.) MDPI

General practical notes (if you and your clinician decide to try it):

• Form & standardization. AS-IV appears either as a purified molecule or as part of Astragalus membranaceus extracts with specified AS-IV content. Quality varies; look for products with third-party testing and clear AS-IV standardization. Authoritative monographs and reviews identify AS-IV as a key marker compound in Astragalus. MDPI
• Expectations. Human evidence linking isolated AS-IV to slower “cellular aging” is preliminary. Most “aging” claims come from preclinical work or multi-ingredient supplements. MDPI

Human studies

• Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (6 months): Astragalus-based supplement (includes AS-IV 40 mg/day + cycloastragenol 25 mg/day, plus polyphenols/zinc). Increased leukocyte telomere length vs. placebo; no major safety signals reported during the study. (Attribution to AS-IV alone not possible.) MDPI
• Pilot EEG study (single-dose AS-IV 150 mg): Demonstrated acute neurophysiological changes; not an aging endpoint, but documents oral human exposure and short-term tolerability. MDPI
• Small cosmetic/open-label (topical): Skin telomere length increased vs. control after 4 weeks of topical AS-IV; mechanistic/dermatologic signal; no systemic aging outcomes. MDPI

Mechanistic & disease-area reviews

• Vascular aging/telomere review (2025): Summarizes telomere-centric mechanisms and highlights AS-IV among Astragalus constituents with anti-senescence potential in vasculature. MDPI
• Narrative/umbrella reviews on AS-IV pharmacology: Broad coverage of AS-IV’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, mitochondrial, and cardioprotective actions across models. MDPI

Key preclinical examples (illustrative, not exhaustive)

• Vascular smooth muscle cell senescence: AS-IV alleviated induced senescence in vitro (vascular aging model). SpringerLink
• Nucleus pulposus cells (disc degeneration model): AS-IV and cycloastragenol promoted telomerase activity and telomere maintenance; reduced senescence/apoptosis. Spandidos Publications
• Astrocyte senescence (Aβ-induced): AS-IV countered senescence signatures in human astrocytes (neuro-aging model). jab.zsf.jcu.cz