Herbal supplement fails to boost muscle strength in small study
NCT ID NCT07552675
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether taking astragalus extract daily for 10 weeks could help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation during intense weight training. Twenty-four moderately active young adults took either the supplement or a placebo while following a structured workout program. Results showed the supplement changed some inflammatory markers but did not improve muscle strength or reduce pain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Astragalus membranaceus (astragali radix extract)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a natural supplement to help manage inflammation during heavy exercise.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, early study in healthy people, not patients. The supplement did not improve muscle function, so benefits may be limited.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
24 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2023
- Finished
-
Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 30 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 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. Exclusion Criteria: * 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.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Healthy adult are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Università di Pavia
Pavia, 27100, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can magnetic brain zaps ease the pain of a sleepless body?
- Can poor sleep make you hurt more? study probes Insomnia's link to pain
- Does soreness after exercise disrupt sleep more for people with insomnia?
- Could a fatty meal skew your eye scan?
- Can a week at sea level reset lung pressure for high-altitude dwellers?
- Can a week at sea level ease the strain of High-Altitude living on the lungs?