A study on Astragalus mongholicus heterosaccharides affecting contractions of isolated bladder detrusor strips

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Astragalus mongholicus heterosaccharides (AMH) on urinary system. The results of gas chromatography (GC) quantitative analysis of the acetylated of monosaccharides revealed that galactose, arabinose and glucose were the sugars in A. mongholicus heterosaccharides. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated that the band in the region of 3258 cm−1 is due to the hydroxyl stretching vibration of the polysaccharide. The band in the region of 2927 cm−1 is due to C–H stretching vibration. A. mongholicus heterosaccharides administration resulted in reduced lipid peroxidation products and increased antioxidant enzyme activities in medicine-treated miceʹs kidney and urinary bladders. Furthermore, A. mongholicus heterosaccharides administration significantly increased mean contractile amplitude increase, contractile frequency and contractile tension in isolated bladder detrusor strips in medicine-treated mice. From these results, it was demonstrated that A. mongholicus heterosaccharides have the ability to protect against oxidative damage and improve urinary bladders function. We suppose that A. mongholicus heterosaccharides improve urinary bladder function partly through enhancing antioxidant status in kidney and urinary bladders.