Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Capsules

Product Description

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma Pentaphyllum) is an herb belonging to the gourd, melon, and cucumber family (1).  It is sometimes called “Southern Ginseng,” and although it is not a true ginseng, Jiaogulan does contain some of the compounds and benefits found in true ginseng (2).

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Benefits

• May promote weight loss (ref)*

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) is emerging as a subject of interest in the medical community, but thus far, there has not been a large amount of research or trials conducted with humans, except for those studies referenced above.*

The following are examples of dynamics associated with Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) through the animal model and may not be representative of the effects in the human body:

• May lower blood glucose (in rats) (ref)*
• May reduce oxidative stress (in rats)(ref)*
• May support cardiovascular health (in rabbits—ref)(in dogs ref)(in rats ref)*
• May support healthy levels of cholesterol (in animals)(ref)*
• Anti-inflammatory properties (in rat cells in vitro)(ref)*

 Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Mode of Action

Jiaogulan belongs to the family of Curcurbitaceae (which includes gourds, melons, and cucumbers) and is a climbing vine that produces a small purple, inedible gourd as its fruit.  It grows in China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, India, Bangladesh and New Guinea.  It has serrated leaves which are grouped in arrangements of five and is sometimes referred to as “five-leaf ginseng” or “southern ginseng” (1).  Jiaogulan is not related to the ginseng family (2).

The leaves of Jiaogulan contain gypenosides, which are triterpene saponins.  Over 189 saponins can be found in Jiaogulan and some of the gypenosides are chemically identical to ginsenosides common to Panax ginseng.  Unlike Panax ginseng which contains the ginsenosides in the root, the aerial leaves of Jiaogulan contain its saponins, and are equal to the amount found in Panax ginseng’s roots (3).

Jiaogulan contains the ginsenosides Rb1, Rd, Rb3, and F2 which are present in Panax Ginseng (2).  The unique constituents of Jiaogulan include carotenoids, chlorophyll compounds, ombuine, allantoin, caffeic acid, vitexin, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, selenium, calcium, magnesium, flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols, malonic acid, lutein, linolenic acids, and palmitic acids (2, 3).

Though Jiaogulan has been present in traditional Chinese medicine, it has not been extensively studied in humans and further research is underway to discover all of its modes of action.

Scientists believe that Jiaogulan can increase fat oxidation and glucose uptake which may lead to weight loss because it is an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase.  The activation of the AMPK enzyme inhibits cholesterol and fat synthesis.  Both in vitro and in vivo research identified that the saponins damulin A and B are directly involved in this action by increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK, which in turn stimulates beta-oxidation (3).

Preliminary research suggests that Jiaogulan can reduce blood sugar levels through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, which increases insulin sensitivity.  It is not believed to increase insulin in humans, but rather lowers blood glucose levels by increasing the release of insulin (3).

Jiaogulan’s gypenosides are thought to have anti-lipid peroxidation activities and may protect vascular endothelial cells from oxidative damage.  Its cardiovascular effects have been mostly studied in animals and suggests that its gypenosides may prevent the development of artherosclerosis, and may lower blood pressure, blood vessel resistance, heart rate, inhibit platelet aggregation, and increase coronary blood flow (3).

Perhaps the most interesting benefit of Jiaogulan is its ability to lower cholesterol.  In vitro and animal studies have pointed to the ability of Jiaogulan to activate liver X receptors, which are the receptors that regulate and sense the levels of cholesterol in the tissues.  By activating these receptors, the herb promotes balanced levels of cholesterol (3).

Jiaogulan’s anti-inflammatory properties are due to the gypenoside XLIX which inhibits the main pathway of inflammation through the nuclear factor-kappaB.  Gypenoside XLIX inhibits the activation of this pro-inflammatory due to a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha-dependent pathway (PPAR-alpha-dependent) (3).

The extract of the roots via alcohol are generally used for concentrated saponin and triterpenoid content, while hot water extracts from the leaves in a tea are generally utilized for its flavonoids (2).

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Capsules Dosage

Pure Nootropics’ Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Capsules provide 450 mg per 1 capsule.  Suggested use for adults is 1 capsule by mouth once daily.

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Side Effects & Toxicity

If you are taking any medications, please consult with your healthcare practitioner before beginning supplementation with Jiaogulan.  Please see below for list of possible interactions with medications.

Jiaogulan is usually well tolerated when taken orally.  Side effects are rare but may include gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea and increased bowel movements (3).

In an extract solution of gypenosides concentrated at 6% and a saponin content of 14.9%, oral doses of 1000 mg/kg/day of total extract solution (which is 60 mg/kg/day of gypenosides) was non-toxic (3).

If you are taking any medications, herbs, or supplements, please consult with your healthcare practitioner before beginning supplementation with Jiaogulan.

For more information, please see our references tab.

The references below are not meant to imply that any of our products treat, cure, or diagnose any disease or human condition. References to clinical studies and pre-clinical studies may use varying dosages and may not represent the dosages or subsequent results of products we sell; however, the references provided are pertinent to the subject supplement itself. References provided are intended for research and informational purposes only and do not represent the entire body of knowledge available on the subject(s) referenced; nor do they represent all possible outcomes associated with the subject(s) referenced including, but not limited to, adverse effects, precautions, or chemical interactions within the human body. The Content provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Never ignore the advice of a medical professional or delay in attaining professional advice because of information or impressions you gather on this website. Choosing to rely on any information provided by the Content of this website is solely at your own risk. We encourage our audience to do their own research beyond the resources we have provided so your decision is as educated as possible.

• May promote weight loss*
Park, SH, et al. “Antiobesity Effect of Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Extract (Actiponin): a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Obesity (Silver Spring), vol. 22, no. 1, Jan. 2014, doi:10.1002/oby.20539.

The following are examples of dynamics associated with Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) through the animal model and may not be representative of the effects in the human body:
• May lower blood glucose*
Lundgvist, LCE, et al. “Profiling and Activity Screening of Dammarane-Type Triterpen Saponins from Gynostemma Pentaphyllum with Glucose-Dependent Insulin Secretory Activity.” Sci Rep, vol. 9, no. 1, 24 Jan. 2019, p. 627., doi:10.1038/s41598-018-37517-3.
• May reduce oxidative stress (in rats)*
Zhang, G, et al. “Gypenoside Attenuates White Matter Lesions Induced by Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Rats.” Pharmacol Biochem Behav., vol. 99, no. 1, July 2011, pp. 42–51., doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2011.03.019.

• May support cardiovascular health (in rabbits)*
WU, Ji-Liang, et al. “Effects of Gypenosides on Platelet Aggregation Release and CAMP Level in Rabbits.” Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jan. 1990, en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-YLBS199001015.htm.
 (in dogs)*
Chen, Li-Feng, et al. “Comparison between the Effcts of Gypenosides and Ginsenosides on Cardiac Function and Hemodynamics in Dogs.” Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jan. 1990, en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-YLBS199001005.htm.
 (in rats)*
Ge, M, et al. “The Effect of Gypenosides on Cardiac Function and Expression of Cytoskeletal Genes of Myocardium in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Rats.” Am J Chin Med, vol. 37, no. 6, 2009, pp. 1059–68., www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19938216.
• May support healthy levels of cholesterol (in animals)*
Liu, Jie, et al. “Components Characterization of Total Tetraploid Jiaogulan (Gynostemma Pentaphyllum) Saponin and Its Cholesterol-Lowering Properties.” Journal of Functional Foods, vol. 23, May 2016, pp. 542–555., doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2016.03.013.
• Anti-inflammatory properties (in rat cells in vitro)*
Huang, TH, et al. “Gypenoside XLIX Isolated from Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Inhibits Nuclear Factor-KappaB Activation via a PPAR-Alpha-Dependent Pathway.” J Biomed Sci, vol. 13, no. 4, July 2006, pp. 535–48., www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16525884?dopt=Abstract.

1. “Gynostemma Pentaphyllum.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynostemma_pentaphyllum.
2. “Gynostemma pentaphyllum.” Examine.com, published Sep 30, 2013. Last updated Jun 14, 2018. https://examine.com/supplements/gynostemma-pentaphyllum/.
3. “Jiaogulan”. Foods, Herbs & Supplements. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=265#scientificName.

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) Certificate of Analysis 04/2019