Method for enhancing nutrient absorption with astragalosides

Abstract

The present application relates to a method for enhancing absorption of a nutrient in a subject in need thereof with an effective amount of an isolated astragaloside compound.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for enhancing absorption of arginine in a subject in need thereof, comprising:
 identifying a subject in need of enhanced absorption of arginine, and   administering to the subject an effective amount of an isolated astragaloside compound for facilitating transportation of arginine across gut cells of the subject, wherein the subject is a juvenile, an athlete, an over-weight patient, or a patient having a cardiovascular disease or erectile dysfunction.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the astragaloside compound is an astragaloside compound of Formula (A): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, O-acetyl, O-xylopyranosyl, O-(2-acetylxylopyranosyl), O-(3-acetylxylopyranosyl), O-(2,3-diacetylxylopyranosyl), O-(2,4-diacetylxylopyranosyl), O-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl, and O-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-arabinopyranosyl; R 2  is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, O-acetyl, O-glucopyranosyl, and O-xylopyranosyl; R 3  is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, and O-acetyl; and R 4  is selected from the group consisting of 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         30 . The method of claim  2 , wherein the astragaloside compound is selected from the group consisting of astragaloside I of Formula I: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       astragaloside II of Formula II: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       astragaloside III of Formula III: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       astragaloside IV of Formula IV: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       isoastragaloside I of Formula V: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       astragaloside VI of Formula VI: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       isoastragaloside II of Formula VII: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       cycloastragenol-6-O-β-D-glucopyranose of Formula VIII