NCT07552675

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether daily supplementation with Astragali radix extract (480 mg/day) for 10 weeks could attenuate training-induced impairments in muscle function, joint pain, and inflammatory markers in moderately active young adults undergoing a structured resistance training program. Participants were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design to receive either Astragali radix extract (ASTRA) or placebo (PLA) during 8 weeks of progressive resistance training followed by 2 weeks of intensified training. The primary outcome was maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVIT) of the knee extensors. Secondary outcomes included one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, knee range of motion, muscle soreness (VAS), and circulating blood biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
24

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2023

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2023

Completed
2.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2025

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 25, 2026

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 20, 2026

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 27, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

April 30, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2.3 years

First QC Date

April 20, 2026

Last Update Submit

April 26, 2026

Conditions

Healthy Adult

Keywords

Dietary supplementationinflammationmuscle damageforcenon-functional overreaching

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • MVIT

    Maximal voluntary isometric torque

    One week before the start of the intervention (BAS), 48 hours after RT phase, and 24 hours following the completion of IT phase.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • ROM

    One week before the start of the intervention (BAS), 48 hours after RT phase, and 24 hours following the completion of IT phase

  • Muscle soreness

    One week before the start of the intervention (BAS), 48 hours after RT phase, and 24 hours following the completion of IT phase.

  • Serum Creatine Phosphokinase

    One week before the start of the intervention (BAS), 48 hours after RT phase, and 24 hours following the completion of IT phase.

  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

    One week before the start of the intervention (BAS), 48 hours after RT phase, and 24 hours following the completion of IT phase.

  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

    One week before the start of the intervention (BAS), 48 hours after RT phase, and 24 hours following the completion of IT phase.

Study Arms (2)

ASTRA

EXPERIMENTAL
Dietary Supplement: Astragalus Membranaceus

PLACEBO

PLACEBO COMPARATOR
Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Interventions

Astragalus MembranaceusDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

480 mg daily of astragali radix extract for 10 weeks (2 capsules x day orally).

ASTRA
PlaceboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Capsules containing an inert substance identical by visual, taste, and smell to the active formulation but without any active ingredients

PLACEBO

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 30 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Physical Activity Status: Moderately active, defined as a metabolic equivalent (MET) between 3 and 6 based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) (Bull et al., 2020).
  • Health Status: Non-smokers and free from cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological diseases.

You may not qualify if:

  • Injuries: any muscular, bone, or joint injuries sustained within the 6 months prior to the study.
  • Supplementation/Medication: A history of consuming dietary supplements or drugs within the 6 months preceding the intervention.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Università di Pavia

Pavia, 27100, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Inflammation

Interventions

Huang Qi

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 20, 2026

First Posted

April 27, 2026

Study Start

September 1, 2023

Primary Completion

December 31, 2025

Study Completion

February 25, 2026

Last Updated

April 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

IT(1)