The Science Behind AstraGin®

Developed by NuLiv Science, with over 25 years of research and expertise, AstraGin® is a blend of botanicals, central to Traditional Chinese Medicine for millenia. Carefully selected for its scientific rigour and integrity, the botanicals are sustainably sourced from Taiwan, and utilised here to support the body in getting out more of every other ingredient included in our formulation.

What is AstraGin®?

AstraGin® is an antioxidant rich, botanical blend made from two well-researched  roots: astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) and panax notoginseng (Panax notoginseng). 

To date it has 20 +pre-clinical studies, and now these include 2 peer-reviewed and published human clinical studies.

The blend of botanical root extracts is standardised to 1.5% saponins, natural plant compounds that are extensively researched for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This ensures consistency across all batches.

Why does this matter?

Taking nutrients through a well balanced, and varied diet is only half the job. Your gut still has to absorb and utilise these, be it from your diet or food supplements. A  healthy gut lining has a very important role to play here-  by filtering what can come through (healthy microorganisms and nutrients), vs what should stay out.

That is where AstraGin®'s research focuses: the gut lining, inflammation, and its synergistic and complementary effect, when taken with other nutrients. Studies across the board have looked at its effect when taken with Omega 3 fatty acids, Curcumin, Creatine, Whey protein,  and much more

1) Gut barrier support

Maintaining a robust gut barrier is essential. It enables effective communication between the digestive system and the rest of the body. Many individuals experience suboptimal gut health, which can negatively affect overall wellbeing, digestion, and the body's ability to absorb and utilise nutrients from foods or dietary supplements.

Picture the gut lining as a protective fence. Tight connections between the posts allow essential nutrients to enter through designated channels while blocking unwanted compounds. Zonulin is a protein that disrupts these tight connections. Elevated blood levels of zonulin indicate increased intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), whereas lower levels reflect a stronger, more intact barrier.

What does scientific research highlight?

A 2026 double-blind, crossover trial published in Nutrients evaluated 30 healthy adults between 18 and 80 years of age. Participants completed two 4-week interventions—one with AstraGin® and one with a placebo—separated by a 4-week washout period. All subjects also consumed whey protein and performed basic daily home exercises*.

The result: At the end of the 4-week period, participants supplementation with AstraGin® demonstrated a 13% reduction in zonulin levels, compared to placebo

Key takeaway: These preliminary findings are promising and larger clinical trials are still underway. This study also looked at nutrient absorption and bioavailability- which we describe further below.

2. Inflammatory support and reduction of inflammatory markers

Inflammation is the body's natural alarm system. A short burst helps you heal. But when it lingers in the gut, it can damage the lining and make it harder to function optimally and to absorb and utilise nutrients from our dietary intake or supplement intake. Researchers track it with blood and tissue "markers" that rise when inflammation is high.

The study: 

In a 2023 clinical trial, AstraGin® or a placebo, was provided to a group of 10 adults with Ulcerative Colitis, a long-term inflammatory condition of the large bowel. It ran for 3 months. 

Albeit small, this study was a randomised, double blind parallel study on patients aged 20-80- who took 1 capsule of 50 mg of AstraGin® (or placebo) before each breakfast and dinner.

Blood and fecal tests were collected including plasma arginine, biochemical indicators of inflammation and appetite, and fecal microorganisms (microbes)**.

The result:

Within 3 months, AstraGin® lowered inflammatory markers -compared to placebo

• MPO, a marker of gut inflammation, by 58%

• Significantly lowered faecal calprotectin by 60.9% 

AstraGin® improved immune related markers - which aligns with a reduction in inflammatory markers (as per the table below)

 

• AstraGin® supports positive changes in the microbiome
  
  Changes in the diversity and abundance of healthy microbial species, shows that AstraGin® can have an impact on the composition of microbes within our gut, which ultimately helps support gut health and overall wellbeing. By supporting gut health, it also helps to create a better environment for optimal absorption and utilisation of nutrients and molecules(*1-3).
  

In Zhuang’s study (2026), we discussed how Zonulin is a key marker of intestinal permeability (gut lining permeability). In addition to enhancing amino acid absorption, AstraGin® reduced blood zonulin levels by 13.01% over 4 weeks compared to 0.90% with placebo. 

This points to enhanced gut barrier integrity, helping facilitate nutrient transport while restricting the movement of pro-inflammatory compounds. Consequently, these molecules remain localised rather than circulating to trigger widespread inflammation. These findings are particularly meaningful for older adults, whose digestive systems require targeted support to preserve optimal day-to-day gut function as time goes on.

While the difference was not statistically significant in healthy participants with baseline levels in normal ranges, these findings align with previous research demonstrating AstraGin®'s anti-inflammatory and gut barrier support properties.

3) Nutrient absorption and bioavailability 

Through all the research undertaken with AstraGin’s®- one of its unique advantages is its impact on supporting nutrient absorption at the level of the small intestine, the primary site of nutrient uptake for most compounds it is paired with.

Across two human trials, AstraGin® helped people absorb more of the amino acids they took, up to 17% more arginine and 14% more valine than placebo(*2-3).

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Absorption, retention and bioavailability  are ways of looking at how nutrients show up in the blood over a few hours after you take them. More in the blood means more available for the body and its multiple organs to utilise and make use of.

Study : AstraGin® and Arginine 

In a trial of 24 healthy adults aged 20 to 80 took 5g of arginine with either AstraGin® or a placebo, then switched. Arginine is an amino acid your body uses to make nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and supports blood flow***.

• Arginine absorbed: up 17.3% with AstraGin®

• Peak arginine level in the blood: up 11.1%

• Arginine-to-ADMA ratio: up 167% (ADMA blocks nitric oxide, so a higher ratio is better)

• Nitric oxide signs in urine (nitrate and cGMP): up 20.8% and 18.9%

Study: AstraGin® and Whey protein

The same 30-person whey protein trial from the gut barrier section also tracked amino acids. After 4 weeks with AstraGin®:*

• Valine absorbed: up 14.1% vs placebo

• Leucine absorbed: up 8.3% vs placebo (leucine is the key amino acid for building muscle)

• Isoleucine absorbed: up 6.3%

• Arginine absorbed: up 5.1%

• Adults aged 60–80: 12.7% more total essential amino acids absorbed

Keep in mind: Overall, the benefits were greatest after 4 weeks of daily use, which suggests AstraGin® works best when taken consistently.

The human research at a glance-

In summary 

Early human research suggests AstraGin,® may help your body get more from the nutrients you already take. It also points to a stronger gut lining and calmer gut inflammation. The most consistent finding is better amino acid absorption, especially with daily use and in adults over 60.

These studies are small but confirm the research done previously in laboratories- and more research is being undertaken. But for anyone serious about getting full value from their protein, creatine or other ingredients within formulations, AstraGin® is a blend worth knowing about.

References

* 1.) Zhuang SR, et al. (2026)  Effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng saponins extract on the pharmacokinetics of whey protein absorption, intestinal permeability, and muscle function: a pilot study. Nutrients.18(3):504

** 2.) Lin CP, et al. (2023) Effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extract on arginine absorption, intestinal permeability, microbiota population, immune activation, and appetite in human subjects with ulcerative colitis: a pilot study. Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology; 6(2)
https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/effect-of-astragalus-membranaceus-and-panax-notoginseng-extract-on-arginine-absorption-intestinal-permeability-microbiota-populati-24081.html

*** 3.) Lin CP, et al. (2023) Pharmacokinetic effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng saponins on arginine absorption and nitric oxide production in healthy subjects. Functional Foods in Health and Disease.13(6):307-319