Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Southern Ginseng) is an herb given Ginseng status although not related to Panax Ginseng. Until recently it was a locally-known herb used primarily in mountainous regions of southern China and in northern Vietnam. It is described by the local inhabitants as the "immortality herb,” because people within Guizhou Province, where jiaogulan herbal teas are consumed regularly, are said to have a history of unusual longevity.*

Top Benefits of Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Supports mitochondrial structure and function *

Supports healthy metabolic function *

Supports exercise performance *

Supports cellular responses and antioxidant defenses *

Supports healthy brain function *

Neurohacker’s Gynostemma pentaphyllum Sourcing

A Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract was selected to be standardized to contain 98% gypenosides.

We opted for a standardized extract for two reasons. Gypenosides are thought to be responsible for much of this herb’s functional benefits. And they have been the primary focus of the majority of the research on this plant.

Studies of this extract suggest it supports cellular and metabolic adaptations similar to what might be expected with exercise. *

Gynostemma pentaphyllum Formulating Principles and Rationale

We consider Gynostemma pentaphyllum to be an herbal adaptogen, which would follow hormetic dosing principles (see Neurohacker Dosing Principles). It contains a category of triterpenoid saponin compounds called gypenosides. These share many structural and functional similarities with the ginsenoside compounds found in well-known ginseng adaptogens. We’d expect this extract to produce an additive or complementary response when combined with other polyphenol ingredients, based on existing experimental evidence. The serving we’ve selected is within the hormetic range, a dose range we expect will produce positive adaptive responses over time.*

Gynostemma pentaphyllum Key Mechanisms 

Supports mitochondrial function and structure*

Supports healthy mitochondrial function and structure* [1,2]

Supports electron transport chain function and ATP production* [1]

Supports citric acid cycle function — upregulates citrate synthase* [1]

Supports mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation* [3]

Supports signaling pathways*

Supports AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling* [3,4]

Influences mTOR signaling* [5]

Supports peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα)* [6–9]

Promotes exercise performance*

Supports endurance performance* [10]

Supports healthy lactic acid production* [10]

Supports oxygen supply to tissues by hemoglobin* [10]

Supports glucose uptake in muscle cells (in vitro)* [3]

Supports healthy metabolic function*

Supports metabolic homeostasis (activates AMPK, an energy sensor and metabolic regulator)* [3,4]

Supports healthy blood glucose levels* [11,12]

Supports β-oxidation (fatty acid metabolism)* [3]

Supports healthy adipogenesis - influences peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)* [3]

Supports healthy body weight* [3,13]

Supports healthy blood/liver lipid levels* [3,8,12]

Supports healthy abdominal/visceral fat levels* [13]

Supports brown adipose tissue production* [14]

Supports antioxidant defenses*

Supports antioxidant defenses* [1,8,15–17]

Replenishes glutathione (GSH) levels* [16–18]

Supports brain function*

Supports cognitive function (in animals)* [15,19]

Supports healthy behavioral stress responses* [20]

Counters neuronal oxidative stress* [15–18]

Supports neuroprotective functions* [2,16–18,21]

Supports brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression* [19]

Supports a healthy gut microbiota*

Supports a healthy composition of the gut microbiota* [14,22,23]

Supports healthy gut barrier function* [22]

Supports healthy gut immune signaling* [22]

Supports general health and wellbeing* 

Supports healthy cardiac structure and function* [1,24]

Supports healthy vascular structure and function* [7,25]

Supports healthy liver structure and function* [8,26,27]

Supports healthy kidney structure and function* [28,29]

Supports healthy gastrointestinal structure and function* [29,30]

Supports healthy immune signaling* [6,31]

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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