|
 |
| Jiaogulan's Antioxidant Properties |
Most of us are familiar with the numerous studies on the damaging effects of free radicals on our bodies as we age. Free radicals are linked to numerous common ailments including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's and aging in general. Scientists believe the body's natural defense against free radical are antioxidants. However, given our modern lifestyles we need more antioxidants than the body can supply. Fortunately, nature is filled with sources of antioxidants including orange juice, blueberries and ginseng
Oxidative Stress
Li, Lin, et al. Protective effect of Gypenosides against oxidative stress in phagocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and liver microsomes. Loma Linda University, California. 1993.
In this study, researchers at Loma Linda University in California studied the antioxidant effects of Gypenosides (substances derived from Jiaogulan) on white blood cells, liver cells and the cells that line blood vessels. They found that gypenosides significantly reduced the presence of oxidants in these cells types and protected the cells from oxidative stress. they also found that gypenosides counteracted the effects of oxidative stress on the function of liver cells and blood vessels cells.
Destructive Oxidants in the Brain
Dai, D.Y. et al. The effect of antioxidant Chinese herbs on SOD activity, MDA content and ultra-structural damage to brain tissue in mice with chronic fluorosis. Chinese Journal of Endemic Diseases. China. 1998.
Dr. Dai and his team studied the effects of Jiaogulan on the brain cells of mice with chronic fluorosis. Chronic fluorosis is a toxic overdose of fluoride and us often used by scientists to induce oxidative stress on test subjects. They found that Jiaogulan reduced the signs or per-oxidation (oxidative damage) and increased the presence of Super-Oxide Dismutase, a powerful internally produced anti-oxidant. This suggested to the researchers that Jiaogulan might be a powerful source of antioxidants because it appears to stimulate the bodies own production of antioxidants. This is a more effective method than ingestion of antioxidants.
Oxidants in the liver!
Cheng, Y.H. et al. The effect of antioxidant Chinese herbs on SOD activity, MDA content and ultra-structural damage of the kidney tissue in mice with chronic fluorosis. Guizhou Medical Journal. China. 1998.
Dr. Cheng found a similar result to Dr. Dai sited above when he studied the the kidney cells of mice with chronic fluorosis. the mice had reduced presence of free radicals and increased presence of internally produced anti-oxidants.
282% increase in SOD!
Liu, Jialiu, et al. Effects of gypenosides-containing tonics on the serum SOD activity and MDA content in middle aged persons. Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1994.
Dr. Liu, the world's foremost expert on Jiaogulan, gave gypenosides (the active ingredient in Jiaogulan) to 610 healthy patients ages 50 to 90. They received the gypenosides for one month. Those patients between 70 and 90 years of age averaged a decrease in harmful oxidants of 21.4% and an average increase in the internally produced anti-oxidant SOD of 282.8%. Those patients in the age group 50 to 69 had a decrease in harmful oxidants averaging 15.6% and SOD increases of 116.1%. A control group did not experience any change thus suggesting the effects were due to the gypenosides.
Scavenge Free Radicals
Suhua Zhu, Chengxiang Fang, Shiqiao Zhu, Fang Peng, Luozhen Zhang, Chengpeng Fan, Inhibitory Effects of Gynostemma Pentaphyllum on the UV Induction of Bacteriophage 5 in Lysogenic Escherichia coli. Current Microbiology. Aug. 2001.
In this study at Wuhan University in China they examined the effect of Jiaogulan on the growth of bacteriophages (viruses that attack bacteria, e-coli and cholera are both examples). They found that Jiaogulan did inhibit the growth of the bactriophages. They also found through Magnetic Resonance Imaging that Jiaogulan was an effective scavenger of free radicals.
Jiaogulan and Your Health
|
|
|
|
|
