Jiaogulan Tea

Jiao Gu Lan Botanical Name: Rhizoma gynostemma

Chemical Composition:

Gynoside Rutin Ombuoside Malonic Acid
(1),(2),(3)

Pharmacology:

The main pharmacological actions of Jiao Gu Lan include the following.

1) Lowering lipid levels (cholesterol)
2) Counteracting renal fibrosis (kidney scarring)
3) Protects against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries which can lead to stroke and heart attack)
4) Counteracting myocardial ischemia (reduced blood supply to the heart)
5) Counteracting serum endotheliotoxin
6) Inhibiting tumor growth
7) Tranquilizing / Inducing sleep
8) Counteracting liver fibrosis
9) Regulating immunity
10) Counteracting stress
11) Inhibiting bacteria
12) Inhibiting platelet aggregation (clumping)
13) Therapeutic effects on ulcers
14) Analgesic (pain killing) effect

1) Lowering lipid levels (cholesterol):

Lowering lipid levels and delaying the aging process. Experiments studying the effects of gynosides on atherosclerosis and lipid peroxidation show that gynosides can reduce the formation of plaque in aorta walls, protect blood vessel walls ability to synthesize and release nitrous oxide and prevent Ca2+ (calcium) overload in aorta walls due to prolonged infliction of hypercholesterolemia. (4),(5)

2) Counteracting renal fibrosis (kidney scarring):

Gynosides can improve the function of the kidney, counteract plasma endothelitoxin (ET) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and couteract renal fibrosis. (6)

3) Protects against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries which can lead to stroke and heart attack):

Suppress increases in the number of cells in blood vessel walls, and reduce the rate of DNA and protein synthesis, thereby keeping blood vessels from thickening. (7)

4) Couteracting myocardial ischemia (reduced blood supply to the heart):

Gynosides protect the heart from ischemia by reducing the potential for calcium overload. (8)

5) Counteracting serum endotheliotoxin (ET):

Gynosides can significantly counteract ET in rats with chronic renal insufficiency (kidney damage) thereby improving the function of the kidneys. (9)

6) Inhibiting tumor growth:

Gynosides can inhibit the proliferation fo cancer cells in patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia. This effect, which increases with dosage, works synergistically with a similar effect to cytarabine and homoharringtonine; furthermore, gynosides inhibit proliferation of metastatic cancer cells and damage to chondriosomes and rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in cancer cells. (10),(11),(12)

7) Traquilizing / Inducing sleep:

Gynosaponin SH-6 can inhibit spontaneous activity in mice and prolong sleep time when administered in full doses. (13)

8) Counteracting liver fibrosis:

Counteract schistosomal liver fribrosis (liver scarring in the setting of liverfluke infection) (14)

9) Regulating immunity:

Increases the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ (T-cells) in patients with chronic renal failure and boosts their energy and enhances the activity of liver superoxide dismutase (antioxidant) in aged mice significantly promoting canavaline A induced proliferation of T-lymphocytes and lipopolysaccharide induced proliferation of B-lymphocytes in mice, and promotes the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by abdominal macrophages and the production of IL-2 by splenic cells in rats. (15),(16),(17)

10) Counteracting stress:

Gynosides can significantly increase mice tolerance to oxygen deprivation and hyperthermia as well as significantly lengthens the time they can swim under duress. (18)

11) Inhibiting bacteria:

Has an inhibiting effect on a number of bacteria, in particular, it is oberved to kill Staphulococcus aureus. (19)

12) Inhibiting platelet aggregation (clumping):

Gypenosides can counteract HMWD induced increase in thrombus (clot) formation. (20)

13) Therapeutic effects on ulcers:

NCTC 11637 HP is known to significantly delay rats' recovery from acetic acid-induced ulcers. By inhibiting the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), Methylene diphenyl Diamine (MDA), and OH in inflammatory reactions, and by enhancing the acitivity of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby protecting the gastric mucosa, Jiao Gu Lan exerts a significant therapeutic effect on experimental ulcers in rats. (21)

14) Analgesic (pain killing) effect:

Gypenosides have an analgesic (pain killing) effect, an effect likely to have been achieved through the central nervous system by lowering the level of Prostaglandin E (PGE). (22)

References:
1. Zhang Guo An, et al. Journal of Chinese Patent Medicine Research. 1986;(3):30-31.
2. Fang Zha Pu. China Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1989;14(11):36.
3. Zhou He Ping. Journal of Pharmacy. 1988;23(12):720.
4. Hou Xiao Ping, et al. China Journal of Emergency Medicine for Life-threatening Conditions. 1998;10(3):177-178.
5. Hou Xiao Ping, et al. Journal of Navy General Hospital. 1998;14(2):74-77.
6. Liao Li, et al. Journal of Hengyang Medical College. 1998; 26(2):139-141.
7. Zeng Xiao Li. Journal of Chinese Patent Medicine. 1999;21(6):308-310.
8. Zhang Xiao Li, et al. Journal of Pharmacy of Western China. 1999;14(5-6):335-337.
9. Huang Hong Lin, et al. China Journal of Arteriosclerosis. 1998;6(4):287-291.
10. Li Xi, et al. China Journal of TCM Science and Technology. 1999;6(2):91-92.
11. Sun Wan Sen, et al. China Journal of TCM Science and Technology. 1998;5(1):21-22.
12. Zhao Ying, et al. Chinese Pharmacology Bulletin. 1998;14(1):60-62.
13. Zhang Fang, et al. Journal of Shandong Medical University. 1999;37(1):31-33.
14. Sun Wan Sen, et al. China Journal of Emergency Medicine for Life-threatening Conditions. 1998;10(5):268-269.
15. Xie Zhi Zhong, et al. Journal of Hengyang Medical College. 1998;26(1):10-12.
16. Yan Jun Feng, et al. Journal of Clinical Stomatology. 1998;14(3):140-141.
17. Liang Jun, et al. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 1999;17(5):279-281.
18. Feng Bing Hong, et al. Journal of New Chinese Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology. 1998;9(2):87-89.
19. Lin Wei Ming, et al. Journal of Gansu College of TCM. 1998;15(3):18-19.
20. Lin Xiao Ming, et al. China Journal of Geriatrics. 1998;18(6):364-365.
21. Zhang Qing Bei, et al. Chinese Pharmacology Bulletin. 1999;15(3):225-228.
22. Cheng Xiao Yue, et al. Hunan Journal of TCM. 1999;5(10):34-35.

Disclaimer: This information is educational in context and is not to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before using this or any medical information.