Part 4: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) and Equine Glucose Metabolism
Gynostemma pentaphyllum, commonly known as Jiaogulan, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly as a tea for promoting weight loss and general health (Su, Chao, et al. 2021). Recent scientific studies have begun to validate some of these traditional claims, especially regarding its effects on glucose metabolism and metabolic disorders.
Modern research has investigated Jiaogulan’s impact on glucose metabolic disorders (GMD), which are conditions characterized by abnormal blood sugar regulation, such as diabetes and insulin resistance. In a study by Xie, Jin-Bo, et al. (2023), mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce GMD, mimicking the metabolic challenges seen in obesity and diabetes. Over a 12-week period, these mice were treated with Jiaogulan extracts. The results were promising: mice receiving Jiaogulan showed improvements in both body weight and blood glucose levels compared to untreated controls. Additionally, the study suggested that Jiaogulan provided protective effects for liver and kidney tissues, organs often compromised in metabolic diseases (Xie, Jin-Bo, et al. 2023).
Another study by Su, Chao, et al. (2021) found that Jiaogulan exerts hypoglycemic effects—meaning it helps lower blood sugar—by increasing insulin secretion in rat pancreatic cells. Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose, and enhanced secretion can help counteract the effects of insulin resistance, a common feature of metabolic disorders.
The benefits of Jiaogulan are not limited to laboratory animals, they have been shown in horses as well. Kellon (2006) conducted a study involving 176 horses that had normal blood sugar levels but were hyperinsulinemic, meaning they had abnormally high levels of insulin—a risk factor for EMS (equine metabolic syndrome) and laminitis. All horses had received standard veterinary care before entering the study. They were then supplemented with Jiaogulan and monitored for periods ranging from three months to two and a half years.
The primary outcome measured was lameness, as Kellon (2006) was particularly interested in the herb’s potential to prevent or treat laminitis, a painful and potentially debilitating hoof condition linked to metabolic dysfunction. Remarkably, 61.9% of the horses returned to pasture soundness, indicating significant improvement in their condition.
Kellon (2006) hypothesized that Jiaogulan’s positive effects are related to its ability to modulate nitric oxide production and improve blood flow to the laminae—the sensitive tissues within the hoof. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that helps dilate blood vessels, enhancing circulation and nutrient delivery. Improved blood flow may help prevent the tissue damage that leads to laminitis, while better glucose regulation supports overall metabolic health.
References:
Kellon, Eleanor M., and Equine Nutritional Solutions. "Use of the Herb Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and the Blue-green Algae Spirulina Platensis in Horses." Proceedings of the 3rd European Equine Nutrition & Health Congress. 2006.
Su, Chao, et al. "Progress in the medicinal value, bioactive compounds, and pharmacological activities of Gynostemma pentaphyllum." Molecules 26.20 (2021): 6249.
Xie, Jin-Bo, et al. "Protective effect of heat-processed Gynostemma pentaphyllum on high fat diet-induced glucose metabolic disorders mice." Frontiers in Pharmacology 14 (2023): 1215150.