Mongolian Milkvetch

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mongolian Milkvetch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Astragalus propinquus
• Phaca macrostachys
• Astragalus borealimongolicus
• Tragacantha mongholica
• Astragalus purdomii
• Tragacantha membranacea
• Astragalus penduliflorus var. mongholicus
• Astragalus penduliflorus var. dahuricus
• Phaca alpina var. dahurica
• Phaca abbreviata
• Astragalus mongholicus var. dahuricus
• Astragalus membranaceus f. propinquus
• Astragalus membranaceus
• Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Astragalus mongholicus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Astragalus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across both Europe and Asia. In Middle Europe, it can be specifically located within the borders of Germany. Its distribution extends significantly into the vast regions of Siberia. Within Siberia, the species is found in the Altay and Buryatiya territories. Furthermore, it inhabits the Siberian areas of both Chita and Irkutsk.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astragalus mongholicus is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse and often rugged landscapes. This species thrives across a wide spectrum of environments, including forests, open meadows, and mountainous terrains, where it can integrate into varying microclimates. It is frequently found in proximity to rivers, where soil moisture levels may be more consistent, as well as within shrubberies and expansive steppe ecosystems. This ability to occupy such varied niches—ranging from the shaded understories of woody vegetation to the exposed, wind-swept conditions of high-altitude mountains and grasslands—demonstrates a highly resilient ecological profile capable of enduring diverse soil compositions and fluctuating climatic conditions.

Habitat :

forest, meadows, mountains, rivers, shrubberies, steppe

Life history

The life history of Astragalus mongholicus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to establish a stable presence within its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle in a single year like annuals or two years like biennials; instead, it invests significant energy into developing a robust root system that facilitates long-term survival and regrowth. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors, contributing to its ability to persist in various ecological niches. Through its continuous growth cycles, the plant maintains a steady developmental progression, focusing on both vegetative expansion and periodic reproductive efforts to ensure the continuation of its species across the landscape.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astragalus mongholicus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb or subshrub. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent lifestyle without being a parasite or an epiphyte, typically thriving in terrestrial environments. It is not an aquatic or semiaquatic plant. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 0.85 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.85 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Astragalus mongholicus is primarily characterized by its reliance on a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a trait common among temperate legumes that dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Under this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle, which is highly effective in the relatively cool, moist environments where it typically thrives. This metabolic framework influences its water-use efficiency and gas exchange patterns, necessitating specific adaptations to manage transpiration rates and avoid photorespiration during periods of thermal stress. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is bolstered by a robust root system capable of efficient nutrient uptake and water transport, supporting the secondary metabolic pathways responsible for synthesizing its characteristic bioactive polysaccharides and saponins.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Astragalus mongholicus is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window that facilitates its pollination and subsequent seed production. The flowering process typically begins in June and continues through July, though the exact timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this period, the plant produces inflorescences that serve as the primary site for sexual reproduction, attracting necessary pollinators to ensure genetic diversity through seed set.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Astragalus mongholicus has 5 reported plant parts identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem, rhizome, flower.

Root

1. BMC plant biology
2. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of AOAC International
4. Pharmaceutical science advances
5. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical science advances
2. Bioorganic chemistry
3. Ultrasonics sonochemistry
4. Frontiers in plant science
5. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Stem

1. Pharmaceutical science advances
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Bioorganic chemistry
4. Ultrasonics sonochemistry
5. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Rhizome

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B

Flower

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Astragalus mongholicus has 235 reported phytochemicals identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Astragaloside IV, formononetin, Saponins, Calycosin.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of separation science
2. Food chemistry
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
5. BMC microbiology

Astragaloside IV

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC plant biology
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

formononetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical science advances
3. Cancers
4. International journal of molecular sciences
5. Biological trace element research

Saponins

1. Journal of separation science
2. Food chemistry
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. BMC microbiology
5. Metabolites

Calycosin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical science advances
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
4. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
5. International journal of molecular sciences

Astragalosides

1. Journal of separation science
2. Current drug targets
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Plant biotechnology journal
5. Plant methods

astragaloside

1. Current vascular pharmacology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of AOAC International
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Microorganisms

Astragalus polysaccharide

1. Frontiers in oncology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. International journal of biological macromolecules
4. Carbohydrate polymers
5. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Astragaloside III

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5. Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)

Astragaloside II

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5. Journal of separation science

Activities

Astragalus mongholicus has 585 reported activities identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antitumor, Antiviral, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. GigaScience
3. Cancers
4. Current drug targets
5. Journal of food biochemistry

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cancers
3. The American journal of Chinese medicine
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Carbohydrate polymers
3. Ai zheng = Aizheng = Chinese journal of cancer
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry
3. International journal of biological macromolecules
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Journal of natural medicines

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardioprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical science advances
3. Archives of pharmacal research
4. Nutrients

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cancers
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Neurochemical research

Antimicrobial

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Scientific reports
3. Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology

Conditions

Astragalus mongholicus has 18 reported investigations on conditions identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include aggression, amnesia, anxiety, apoptosis, cancer.

Aggression

1. Neurochemical research

Amnesia

1. Neurochemical research

Anxiety

1. Neurochemical research

Apoptosis

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Cancer

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Colon cancer

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Depression

1. Neurochemical research

Drought

1. Environmental microbiology

Immunosuppression

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infertility

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Astragalus mongholicus has 89 reported preparations identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Astragalus polysaccharides, dried root, extract, extracts, Astragali Radix.

Astragalus polysaccharides

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
2. International journal of biological macromolecules
3. Journal of neuroimmunology
4. Chinese medical journal

Dried root

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Extract

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Extracts

1. Archives of pharmacal research
2. Oncology reports
3. Food science of animal resources

Astragali radix

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Metabolites

Astragalus polysaccharide

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. International journal of molecular medicine

Radix astragali

1. Science China. Life sciences
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Polysaccharide fractions

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
2. Poultry science

Root extract

1. Neurochemical research
2. Nutrients

Roots

1. Plant biotechnology journal
2. International journal of molecular sciences