Jiaogulan

Related Terms

Amachazuru, Cucurbitaceae (family), dammarane-type saponins, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, gypenoside XLIX, gypenosides, miracle grass, southern ginseng, Vitis pentaphyllum, xianxao.

Background

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is best known as a traditional Chinese medicine herb. In the Guizhou Province, it is used as an anti-aging herb and many people who drink jiaogulan tea reach very old age. However, no link between jiaogulan tea and living many years has been scientifically proven.
Jioagulan has shown some promise for treating cancer. Jiaogulan may also reduce nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, although more studies are needed in both of these areas before a recommendation can be made.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Preliminary evidence indicates that gypenosides extracted from Gynostemma pentaphyllum decrease cancer cell viability, arrest the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis (cell death) in human cancer cells. Immune function in cancer patients has also been studied. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


Preliminary evidence indicates that gypenosides extracted from Gynostemma pentaphyllum decrease cancer cell viability, arrest the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis (cell death) in human cancer cells. Immune function in cancer patients has also been studied. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract may be helpful for those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease when combined with other treatment. More research is needed in this area.

C


Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract may be helpful for those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease when combined with other treatment. More research is needed in this area.

C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):
There is no proven effective dose for jiaogulan, although 80 milliliters of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extraction has been taken for four months in conjunction with a controlled diet for fatty liver.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Although not well studied in humans, gypenosides extracted from Gynostemma pentaphyllum may have anticancer effects. Caution is advised when taking jiaogulan with other anticancer agents.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum may decrease serum triglyceride levels. Thus, caution is advised when combining jiaogulan with other cholesterol-lowering agents.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum may inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB activation, an important inflammatory factor. Caution is advised in patients taking anti-inflammatory agents.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. However, current evidence is mixed. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Gynostemma pentaphyllum may decrease alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, or aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Caution is advised when combining jiaogulan with any potentially liver-damaging (hepatotoxic) agents.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum may decrease insulin levels and insulin index scores in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Caution is advised when combining jiaogulan with diabetes agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Chen JC, Chung JG, Chen LD. Gypenoside induces apoptosis in human Hep3B and HA22T tumour cells. Cytobios 1999;100(393):37-48.
Chen JC, Lu KW, Lee JH, et al. Gypenosides induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells through the mitochondria-dependent pathways and activation of caspase-3. Anticancer Res 2006;26(6B):4313-4326.
Chou SC, Chen KW, Hwang JS, et al. The add-on effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Altern Ther Health Med 2006;12(3):34-39.
Han MQ, Liu JX, Gao H. [Effects of 24 Chinese medicinal herbs on nucleic acid, protein and cell cycle of human lung adenocarcinoma cell]. Zhongguo Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi. 1995;15(3):147-149.
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Huang TH, Li Y, Razmovski-Naumovski V, et al. Gypenoside XLIX isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB activation via a PPAR-alpha-dependent pathway. J Biomed Sci 2006;13(4):535-548.
Huang TH, Razmovski-Naumovski V, Salam NK, et al. A novel LXR-alpha activator identified from the natural product Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Biochem Pharmacol 11-1-2005;70(9):1298-1308.
Liu X, Ye W, Mo Z, et al. Three dammarane-type saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Planta Med 2005;71(9):880-884.
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Wang QF, Chen JC, Hsieh SJ, et al. Regulation of Bcl-2 family molecules and activation of caspase cascade involved in gypenosides-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cells. Cancer Lett 9-26-2002;183(2):169-178.