Protection against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in kidney epithelium by Angelica and Astragalus

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Astragalus membranaceus either alone or in combination with Angelica sinensis has been used traditionally for kidney disease in East Asia and China for thousands of years. Previous studies using in vivo animal models have shown the benefits of these medicinal herbs in kidney diseases that involve oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms by which these medicinal herbs protect kidney cells remain largely unknown.