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通过抑制淋巴细胞的激活、增殖和细胞因子的表达，具有重要的抗炎活性，其效果可能与减少细胞内Ca2+过载总量有关[1]。

通过口服Cyclogalegenol 7天，可缓解实验小鼠的抑郁样行为。Cyclogalegenol在人类新生儿角质形成细胞和大鼠神经细胞中刺激端粒酶活性，并诱导CREB激活后继而引发tert和bcl2表达。此外，Cyclogalegenol可能在抑郁症的治疗中具有新颖的作用[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].