Jiaogulan and Cancer (SQ-22)
Our immune system is designed to protect and heal the body against most diseases, even cancer. Conventional cancer treatment such as chemotherapy uses toxic drugs to target rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, there are healthy cells that need to continuously divide at a fast pace too, such as cells in our digestive system, immune system, reproductive system, blood and bone marrow. Chemotherapy drugs don’t differentiate between rogue cancer cells and healthy cells, targeting them with equal gusto and in the process creating more damage than good, promoting inflammation and hitting the immune system particularly hard. Ironically, this situation sets the stage for cancer to relapse down the road and creating conditions favourable for new cancer to grow.
What is required is an all-inclusive approach that can help the body to launch the tirade against cancer, instead of its own defence system and causing it to fray apart in the process. It is hardly surprising that mainstream health practitioners are now open to adopt integrative approaches to fight and treat cancer. This mix of conventional and natural methods are proving to be more effective and of course much safer and healthier than chemotherapy and radiation alone. That brings us to a miracle herb … Jiaogulan.
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a very unique Chinese herb known for its remarkable anti-aging effects. It promotes longevity and keeps many diseases at bay with its anti-oxidant, detoxifying, neuro-protective, blood pressure and cholesterol regulating, and immune-modulating properties. Jiaogulan is also a premier adaptogen, a rare group of plants (less than 1 in every 4000 plants are adaptogenic in nature) with special health enhancing characteristics. Adaptogens are non-toxic, work on multiple body systems to restore balance, assist the body to build resistance to internal and external stress, and optimize overall physiological functions.
Studies show that Jiaogulan also has tremendous anti-cancer properties. Jiaogulan is known to reduce tumour size by arresting growth and development of the tumour, and induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in human cancer cells. Scientific research suggests that Jiaogulan may be effective against many cancer cell lines – including cancer of the lung, liver, prostate, colorectal, esophageal, oral, brain, stomach, skin, cervical, leukaemia and sarcoma.
Jiaogulan appears to work on many levels to prevent as well as fight cancer.
Jiaogulan is remarkably rich in saponins
Jiaogulan is a rich source of dammarane-type saponins called gypenosides. So far 170 saponins have been isolated from Jiaogulan and researchers credit these phytochemical compounds for the herb’s remarkable anti-oxidant, adaptogenic, immune boosting and anti-cancer effects. Saponins from the herb reacts with cholesterol rich membranes around cancer cells, arresting their life cycle and growth.
Boosts immunity in cancer patients and reduces chemotherapy induced damage
When cancer patients are blasted with harsh chemotherapy drugs and radiations, their immunity takes a massive hit. These aggressive chemicals cause severe damage to bone marrow cells and reduce the white blood cell count in the body. Failing immunity makes cancer patients more susceptible to opportunistic infections and diseases. Moreover, they create a bio-chemical environment conducive to cancer cells, make these cells drugs-resistant over time and even introduce new forms of cancers. Yes, chemotherapy side effects ARE scary.
Studies suggest that saponins in Jiaogulan modulates white blood cells formation and increases their activity in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. More specifically, Jiaogulan increases the activity of lymphocytes, highly specialized white blood cells that create antibodies to destroy pathogens; and of cancer fighting Natural Killer cells. Jiaogulan also contains a wide array of nutrients and micronutrients such as vitamins, polysaccharides, amino acids, flavones, and trace minerals that further help to nourish the immune system in cancer patients.
Jiaogulan not only boosts immunity after chemotherapy by several endpoints  but also reduces the damage caused by toxic drugs and radiation therapy. This amazing adaptogenic herb also improves the efficacy of traditional cancer treatment methods and can be effectively used as an adjunct or integrative therapy  .
Fights free radicals
Usually, a healthy body is able to regulate the generation of free radicals with the help of endogenous and exogenous anti-oxidants. It is when our body is overwhelmed in its ability to keep a balance between free radicals and anti-oxidants that oxidative stress occurs. Free radicals are known to cause oxidative damage to delicate cellular structures like lipids, proteins and DNA and trigger many diseases, including cancer. In addition, chemotherapy and radiation and cancer itself are known to trigger the formation of free radicals, overwhelming the body’s antioxidant defence mechanism.
Saponins in Jiaogulan not only scavenge excessive free radicals but also support the body to produce its very own anti-oxidant weaponry. These bioactive compounds stimulate the production of three most potent anti-oxidants; Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione and Catalase, which are well-known in protecting the body against free radical attack and the subsequent damage. Scientists believe that the ability to produce endogenous anti-oxidants is the main reason why Jiaogulan improves life span, prevents premature aging and many diseases that come swinging by as we age.
- Wang J, et al. Immunological effects of jiaogulan granule in 19 cancer patients. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1989; 24(10):449.
- William Chi, Shing Tai, Wing Yan Wong, Jen Fu Chiu, and Wen Luan Wendy Hsiao; Mechanistic investigation of the anti-cancer and anti-hyperlipidemia effects of Gynostemma triterpenoids using systems biology approach; The Journal of Cancer Research; July 1, 2012 72; A24; doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.CSB12-A24
- Xu Changfu, Yang yanping, Wang Bing et al.; The Suppression Effect Of Gypenosides,Adriamycin And 5-Fluorouracil Combination Therapy On S_(180) Sarcoma; Journal Of Xi’an Medical University(Chinese); 1996-02