How Jiaogulan benefits were found?
Wildcrafted Jiaogulan is widely used as Chinese traditional medicine. Traditional Chinese people referred this herb as an “immortality” herb. The botanical name of this herb is Gynostemma pentaphyllum and commonly known as southern ginseng. This herb is different from Panax ginseng, but due to strong adaptogenic and antioxidant properties present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan, it is also referred to as ginseng. [1] The leaf is mainly used for medicinal purposes.
Multiple medicinal properties of this herb include anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, lipid metabolism regulatory, antiproliferative, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic activities, which are effective exert anti-diabetic, anti-hepatitis and cardiovascular disease protective benefits. [2]
What are the phytochemicals present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan?
Herbal researchers identified that more than 230 phytochemicals are present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan. Sterols, flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides are the major class of chemical compounds present in this herb. A large variety of flavonoids present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan, which include rutin, quercetin, ombuoside, ombuin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-rhamno-hexoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-rhamno-hexoside, and quercetin-di-(rhamno)-hexoside.
Apart from these variety of bioactive phytochemicals, certain trace minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and proteins are also present in this herb. Copper, iron, zinc, manganese, cobalt, nickel, selenium, molybdenum and strontium are different trace minerals present in this herb. The nutritional and phytochemical compositions of Wildcrafted Jiaogulan varies depending upon the plant part. Leaves contain a maximum concentration of nutritional and phytochemical constituents. Some other derived phytochemicals of this herb include Malonic acid, benzyl-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, lutein, palmitic acid, vomifoliol, linolenic acids, and carrot glycosides. Chlorophylls and carotenoids concentration is also high in the leaves of this plant. [2]
What is the mode of action of Jiaogulan benefits?
The high concentration of Polysaccharide and saponin content in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan acts as an energy booster. Different scientific studies selected different herbs as adaptogens, but all do not follow the same mechanism of action. The general mechanism of action for adaptogens:
- Adaptogens stimulate the plasma and salivary synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and cortisone for adapting the body to heavy workloads.
- Adaptogens involve in synthesis, modification, and regulation of Heat Shock proteins Hsp70 y Hsp16
- Adaptogens also promotes the biosynthesis of ATP and assist in the sourcing of continuous energy.
- Adaptogens regulate energy synthesis and distribution, by raising the level of glucose-6-phosphate formation and alter carbohydrates metabolism. Besides, Adaptogens also regulate DNA and protein synthesis
- Adaptogens scavenge free oxygen radicals and act as a potent antioxidant.
- Adaptogen maintains homeostasis of physical and mental capacity by regulating activation and inhibition of the physiological system. [3]
Wildcrafted Jiaogulan has widely accepted adaptogen, which helps to maintain the energy level. It also has potent anticancer property, as it acts as cytotoxic on cancerous cells and exerts antiproliferative activity. [2] Animal research study found that this herb improves cellular immune response by increasing interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 levels in the serum of cancer affected animals. [2]
Different Forms of Wildcrafted Jiaogulan
- Organic Gynostemma Tea is the common antioxidant dosage available dosage form of Jiaogulan. [4]
- Jiaogulan Extract Powder is also available in the market to maintain vitality, improve energy level, etc. [5]
- Jiaogulan Herbal Tea powdered (vegetable) capsules are a dietary supplement to restore the overall physical and mental well being. [6]
- Jiaogulan teabags: This dosage form is also available in herbal store and online market. One tea bag is sufficient to prepare 4 cups of herbal tea for four times ingestion per day. [7]