The potential of Astragalus Polysaccharide in cancer treatment

With the continuous development of society, people's life pressure is increasing; poor daily routines and some other factors make the incidence of cancer increasingly high. Modern medicine typically prioritizes surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment. However, these methods often result in a high recurrence rate, as well as side effects such as nausea and vomiting, which can lead to intolerant patients. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is extracted from Astragalus root, a water-soluble heteropolysaccharide formed by concentration and purification. Numerous studies have shown in recent years that APS can achieve anti-cancer effects in various cancers, including lung, liver, breast, and esophageal cancers. It can suppress tumor cell growth, cause tumor cell death, and obstruct tumor cell invasion and metastasis by modulating the body's immune system. Additionally, when combined with other chemotherapy drugs, there is evidence that APS can improve efficacy and reduce toxicity. In this paper, we review recent research on APS in the field of anticancer therapy, aiming to provide a valuable reference for future studies.