Astramembrangenin (Cycloastragenol (Astramembrangenin)) is a triterpenoid saponin compound and a hydrolysis product of the main active ingredient in Astragalus membranaceus. Cycloastragenol (CAG) may have a novel therapeutic role in depression

Cyclogalegenol has important anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting lymphocytes activation, proliferation and cytokines expression, this effect may be related to reduction of overall intracellular Ca2+ overload[1].

oral administration of Cyclogalegenol for 7 days attenuated depression-like behavior in experimental mice.Cyclogalegenol stimulates telomerase activity in human neonatal keratinocytes and rat neuronal cells, and induces CREB activation followed by tert and bcl2 expression. Furthermore, Cyclogalegenol may have a novel therapeutic role in depression[2].

Mouse lymphocytes were obtained from spleens and subjected to Con A for 24?h. Herein, the cells were treated with different concentrations of Cyclogalegenol. Cell viability was assayed by MTT. Pretreated by Cyclogalegenol?and stimulated?by Con A,?the expression of CD69 and CD25, Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines, cell cycle, proliferation and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were analyzed by flow cytometry[1].

Mice were administered Cyclogalegenol?100 mg/kg, or water by oral gavage, or imipramine 15 mg/kg , a currently?used tricyclic antidepressant, by intraperitoneal injection for 7 days as well as 45 min before testing.?The forced swim test was performed as described previously , by placing a mouse in a glass cylinder (height: 30 cm, diameter: 15 cm) filled with water to a depth of 12 cm.?Mice were tested in the cylinder for 6 min. The water was changed before testing another animal.?All test sessions were recorded.?Depression-like behavior was determined by observing the immobility of the mouse, where immobility is defined as when a mouse floats passively in the water with minimal movement to keep its head above the water.?The total period of immobility during the last 4 min of the test session was determined[2].