The Effect of Astragalus mongholicus Water Extract on Urinary Function in Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of combining Astragalus mongholicus (A. mongholicus) water extract with electroacupuncture to improve bladder urinary function in rats with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 18 SPF-grade unfertilized female SD rats were used, among which 15 rats were selected to establish the SUI model through simulated labor injury combined with bilateral oophorectomy. The 15 SUI rats were randomly divided into three groups: the model group, the Astragalus group (treated with A. mongholicus water extract), and the Astragalus+acupuncture group, with 5 rats in each group. The remaining three rats constituted the control group. After 6 weeks of treatment, the study compared bladder function parameters before and after treatment, including the positive rate of sneezing test, urethral baseline pressure (UBP), the amplitude of urethral response during sneezing (A-URS), maximum bladder capacity (MBC) indicating bladder function, leak point pressure (LPP), abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP), urine output, residual urine volume, and urination efficiency. Masson staining was used to observe changes in collagen fiber proportion in bladder tissue. Compared to the control group, the model group exhibited increased positive sneezing test, urination output, and residual urine volume, while bladder function decreased. Both the Astragalus group and Astragalus+acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvements in UBP, A-URS, MBC, LPP, ALPP, urination efficiency, collagen fiber proportion, and other indicators compared to the model group. Furthermore, the Astragalus+acupuncture group exhibited superior treatment effects compared to A. mongholicus water extract alone, suggesting the potential of this combined approach for SUI.