Astragaloside IV is a primary active component of Astragalus membranaceus, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. While Astragalus has been used in traditional medicine for various health conditions, including as a tonic for vitality, the specific use of astragaloside IV for anemia is based on emerging scientific studies rather than longstanding traditional use. Preclinical studies, mostly in animal models, have investigated the hematopoietic (blood-forming) effects of astragaloside IV. Some of these studies suggest that astragaloside IV can promote hematopoiesis by modulating cytokine production, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting bone marrow cells, potentially leading to increased red blood cell production in conditions of bone marrow suppression or chemotherapy-induced anemia.

For example, research published in peer-reviewed journals has demonstrated that astragaloside IV may upregulate erythropoietin expression and support recovery from myelosuppression in mice. However, the evidence is limited to animal models and cell culture studies—there are currently no robust, large-scale clinical trials in humans directly demonstrating its efficacy for anemia treatment. Thus, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence, the support for astragaloside IV in anemia is weak and not well-established in clinical practice. It should not be considered a primary treatment for anemia without further clinical validation.