Astragaloside has an inhibitory effect on the activity of MG in AD rat models through the mitogen-activated protein kinase 5/extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase 5 (MEK5/ERK5) signaling pathway by reducing the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and TNF-α, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses; by reducing the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and the C/EBP homology protein (CHOP), thereby protecting brain function; and by reducing the expression of MEK5 and ERK5 proteins, thereby playing a role in nuclear transcription regulation. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is Alzheimer disease.