Gynostemma pentaphyllum

A climbing plant from the gourd family that is commonly used as a tea in traditional herbal medicine in China and Korea. 

Currently, there is no monograph from ESCOP or HMPC, but studies have shown promising results; see “Effects” below.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer. Animal studies confirmed its preventive effect against obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: insulin production increased, insulin sensitivity improved, and blood sugar levels decreased. The hypoglycemic effect was comparable to that of metformin at moderate doses and more pronounced at higher doses; body weight and white adipose tissue were reduced. Lipid levels— triglycerides and LDL cholesterol—also decreased, whileHDL cholesterol and bile production increased. Additionally, it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut that produce short-chain fatty acids. 

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 100 participants, metabolic parameters such as maximum oxygen consumption, ml O₂/heartbeat, as well as blood levels of endothelial NO synthase (a marker of physical activity and exercise performance) were monitored after administration of a G. pentaphyllum extract. After 12 weeks, these parameters were significantly higher in the active treatment group than in the placebo group. 

1. Ahn Y et al (2023) Effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract containing gypenoside L on fatigue and physical performance: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Phytotherapy Research; 37: 3069-3082. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7801
2. Su C et al. (2021) Progress in the Medicinal Value, Bioactive Compounds, and Pharmacological Activities of Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Molecules 15;26(20):6249. doi: 10.3390/molecules26206249. PMID: 34684830; PMCID: PMC8540791.
3. Zwiesele M (2026) Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum). Medicinal Plants; 06(01): 48–51. DOI: 10.1055/a-2728-7496
4. Huyen VTT et al. (2010) Antidiabetic Effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Tea in Randomly Assigned Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Horm Metab Res; 42(5): 353–357. DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248298
5. Busse M et al. (2012) Z Phytother; 33(5): 228–229. DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1309272
6. Huang G et al. (2022) Prebiotic properties of jiaogulan in the context of the gut microbiome. Food Sci Nutr 22;10(3):731–739. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.2701. PMID: 35282005; PMCID: PMC8907712.