Gou Teng: A Traditional Herbal Remedy

1. Studied Conditions

Gou Teng, also known as Uncaria rhynchophylla, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine and studied for various conditions. These include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease
• Epileptic seizures
• Mental health issues, including anxiety and schizophrenia

2. Efficacy in Treating Conditions

While some studies suggest potential benefits, the efficacy of Gou Teng in treating the above conditions remains scientifically unclear due to limited and mixed research results. Rigorous clinical trials are required to substantiate these claims.

3. Health Benefits

Gou Teng is believed to have several health benefits, such as:

• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Neuroprotective properties that may protect against cognitive decline
• Antioxidant activity
• Potential to lower blood pressure
• Calming effects, which may help with anxiety and insomnia

4. Downsides

Despite its potential benefits, Gou Teng may have downsides, including:

• Allergic reactions in some individuals
• Possible interactions with other medications
• Lack of standardization in herbal preparations, leading to inconsistent dosages
• Insufficient evidence on long-term safety and side effects

5. Genetic Variations and Effects

Currently, there is limited research on the interaction between Gou Teng and specific genetic variations. As such, it is unclear whether it is particularly beneficial or harmful for individuals with certain genetic traits. Personal genetics can influence how one metabolizes and responds to herbal supplements, and more personalized research is needed in this area.

Summary of Gou Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) Research

Gou Teng, also known as Uncaria rhynchophylla, is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine with potential neuroprotective effects. Research has indicated its relevance in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The plant contains compounds such as rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline, which have been shown to inhibit monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and protect against oxidative neurodegeneration.

Neuroprotective Actions

• Gou Teng's alkaloids, including rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline, reduce NMDA-induced currents in a concentration-dependent manner, acting as noncompetitive antagonists of the NMDA receptor.
• It inhibits the aggregation of Abeta proteins and can break down existing Abeta fibrils, suggesting therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease.
• The herb induces both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation in rat aorta via the EDRF/NO pathway, suggesting its use as a potent vasodilator.
• Geissoschizine methyl ether (GM), a component of Gou Teng, activates 5-HT₁A serotonin receptors and may contribute to the beneficial effects of Japanese medicine Yokukansan on aggression and social behavior.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties

• Uncaria rhynchophylla demonstrates strong free-radical scavenging activity and antioxidant properties, potentially useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
• It also shows inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in microglia cells, which may be beneficial for neuroinflammation-associated conditions.

Other Effects

• The plant's extracts and isolated compounds have been found to exert various effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, such as lowering blood pressure, preventing arrhythmias, and inducing sedation.
• It has anxiolytic-like properties mediated through the serotonin system without inducing sedation or muscle relaxation.
• Research suggests that Gou Teng may have a protective effect against epilepsy-induced seizures and neuronal death in rats.

Conclusion

Overall, Gou Teng contains several biologically active compounds that have demonstrated neuroprotective, vasorelaxation, anti-inflammatory, and potential therapeutic effects in various models of neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Its active components, such as rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, and geissoschizine methyl ether, play key roles in its pharmacological actions, warranting further research into their mechanisms and potential clinical applications.

References:

1. Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibition by active principles from Uncaria rhynchophylla
2. Rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline inhibit NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes
3. Uncaria rhynchophylla, a Chinese medicinal herb, has potent antiaggregation effects on Alzheimer's beta-amyloid proteins
4. Systematic identification and quantification of tetracyclic monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids in Uncaria rhynchophylla and their fragmentations in Q-TOF-MS spectra
5. Gou-teng (from Uncaria rhynchophylla Miquel)-induced endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations in the isolated rat aorta
6. Geissoschizine methyl ether, an alkaloid in Uncaria hook, is a potent serotonin ₁A receptor agonist and candidate for amelioration of aggressiveness and sociality by yokukansan
7. Indole glucoalkaloids from Chimarrhis turbinata and their evaluation as antioxidant agents and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
8. Comparative study of fourteen alkaloids from Uncaria rhynchophylla hooks and leaves using HPLC-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/MS method
9. Geissoschizine methyl ether, a corynanthean-type indole alkaloid from Uncaria rhynchophylla as a potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
10. Alkaloids from the leaves of Uncaria rhynchophylla and their inhibitory activity on NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia
11. Pharmacological actions of Uncaria alkaloids, rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline
12. Ameliorating effect of new constituents from the hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla on scopolamine-induced memory impairment
13. Ursolic acid isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla activates human dendritic cells via TLR2 and/or TLR4 and induces the production of IFN-gamma by CD4+ naïve T cells
14. Uncarinic Acid C Isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla Induces Differentiation of Th1-Promoting Dendritic Cells Through TLR4 Signaling
15. Triterpene esters from Uncaria rhynchophylla drive potent IL-12-dependent Th1 polarization
16. Inhibition of phospholipase cgamma1 and cancer cell proliferation by triterpene esters from Uncaria rhynchophylla
17. Evaluation of the protective effects of alkaloids isolated from the hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis on glutamate-induced neuronal death in cultured cerebellar granule cells from rats
18. Inhibitory effects of Choto-san (Diao-teng-san), and hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis on free radical-induced lysis of rat red blood cells
19. Rhynchophylline-induced vasodilation in human mesenteric artery is mainly due to blockage of L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells
20. Effects of hirsutine, an antihypertensive indole alkaloid from Uncaria rhynchophylla, on intracellular calcium in rat thoracic aorta
21. Rhynchophylline from Uncaria rhynchophylla functionally turns delayed rectifiers into A-Type K+ channels
22. The blood-brain barrier permeability of geissoschizine methyl ether in Uncaria hook, a galenical constituent of the traditional Japanese medicine yokukansan
23. Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of rhynchophylline in rats
24. Metabolism of isorhynchophylline in rats detected by LC-MS
25. Metabolites of hirsuteine and hirsutine, the major indole alkaloids of Uncaria rhynchophylla, in rats
26. Protective effects of isorhynchophylline on cardiac arrhythmias in rats and guinea pigs
27. Protective effects of novel single compound, Hirsutine on hypoxic neonatal rat cardiomyocytes
28. Geissoschizine methyl ether, an indole alkaloid extracted from Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, is a potent vasorelaxant of isolated rat aorta
29. Corynoxeine isolated from the hook of Uncaria rhynchophylla inhibits rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through the blocking of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation
30. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) by Chinese herbal medicines
31. Isoliquiritigenin is a novel NMDA receptor antagonist in kampo medicine yokukansan
32. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist activity in traditional Chinese stroke medicines
33. Protective effect of methanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla against excitotoxicity induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate in rat hippocampus
34. Alkaloid fraction of Uncaria rhynchophylla protects against N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced apoptosis in rat hippocampal slices
35. The surgery of epilepsy
36. Oral Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) reduces kainic acid-induced epileptic seizures and neuronal death accompanied by attenuating glial cell proliferation and S100B proteins in rats
37. Neuroprotective Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla in Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures by Modulating Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Sprouting, Neuron Survival, Astrocyte Proliferation, and S100B Expression
38. Uncaria rhynchophylla ameliorates cognitive deficits induced by D-galactose in mice
39. Pharmacological studies of geissoschizine methyl ether, isolated from Uncaria sinensis Oliv., in the central nervous system
40. Geissoschizine methyl ether has third-generation antipsychotic-like actions at the dopamine and serotonin receptors
41. Effects of geissoschizine methyl ether, an indole alkaloid in Uncaria hook, a constituent of yokukansan, on human recombinant serotonin 7 receptor
42. Brain serotonin receptors and transporters: initiation vs. termination of escalated aggression
43. From genes to aggressive behavior: the role of serotonergic system
44. Partial agonistic effect of yokukansan on human recombinant serotonin 1A receptors expressed in the membranes of Chinese hamster ovary cells
45. Effect of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, on social and aggressive behaviour of para-chloroamphetamine-injected rats
46. Prostate cell membrane chromatography-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for screening of active constituents from Uncaria rhynchophylla
47. Yokukansan inhibits morphine tolerance and physical dependence in mice: the role of α₂A-adrenoceptor
48. Neuroprotective effects of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, on glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in cultured cells
49. Yokukansan, a kampo medicine, protects against glutamate cytotoxicity due to oxidative stress in PC12 cells
50. Hirsutine, an indole alkaloid of Uncaria rhynchophylla, inhibits inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity and microglial activation
51. Rhynchophylline attenuates LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses through down-regulation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways in primary microglia
52. Anti-inflammatory effects of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in mouse N9 microglial cells and the molecular mechanism
53. Uncaria rhynchophylla (miq) Jack plays a role in neuronal protection in kainic acid-treated rats
54. Uncaria rhynchophylla and Rhynchophylline inhibit c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappaB activity in kainic acid-treated rats
55. Overexpression of the neurotrophic cytokine S100 beta in human temporal lobe epilepsy
56. Effect on locomotion of indole alkaloids from the hooks of uncaria plants
57. [Anti-convulsion effects of choto-san and chotoko (Uncariae Uncis cam Ramlus) in mice, and identification of the active principles]
58. Anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla
59. Seizures in the intrahippocampal kainic acid epilepsy model: characterization using long-term video-EEG monitoring in the rat
60. Astrocyte dysfunction in epilepsy
61. The role of synaptic reorganization in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
62. Mossy fiber synaptic reorganization in the epileptic human temporal lobe
63. Anticonvulsant effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Jack. in rats with kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure
64. Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging actions of two herbs, Uncaria rhynchophylla (MIQ) Jack and Gastrodia elata Bl., in kainic acid-treated rats
65. Uncaria rhynchophylla upregulates the expression of MIF and cyclophilin A in kainic acid-induced epilepsy rats: A proteomic analysis
66. Neuroprotection by methanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla against global cerebral ischemia in rats
67. Uncaria rhynchophylla inhibits the production of nitric oxide and interleukin-1β through blocking nuclear factor κB, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in macrophages
68. Uncarinic acid C plus IFN-γ generates monocyte-derived dendritic cells and induces a potent Th1 polarization with capacity to migrate
69. Repeated topical challenge with chemical antigen elicits sustained dermatitis in NC/Nga mice in specific-pathogen-free condition
70. Development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion with IgE hyperproduction in NC/Nga mice
71. Oral administration of Uncariae rhynchophylla inhibits the development of DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions via IFN-gamma down-regulation in NC/Nga mice
72. Antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activity of Choto-san and its related constituents
73. Uncarinic acids: phospholipase Cgamma1 inhibitors from hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla
74. Elevated content of the tyrosine kinase substrate phospholipase C-gamma 1 in primary human breast carcinomas
75. Elevated content of phospholipase C-gamma 1 in colorectal cancer tissues
76. Uncaria rhynchophylla induces angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo
77. Methanolic extracts of Uncaria rhynchophylla induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells
78. Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Neuroprotective Compounds from Uncaria rhynchophylla against Beta-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity
79. Isorhynchophylline, a natural alkaloid, promotes the degradation of alpha-synuclein in neuronal cells via inducing autophagy
80. Protective effect of isorhynchophylline against β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells
81. Molecular pathways involved in the neurotoxicity of 6-OHDA, dopamine and MPTP: contribution to the apoptotic theory in Parkinson's disease
82. The unilateral 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease revisited: an electromyographic and behavioural analysis
83. Effects of the hook of Uncaria rhynchophylla on neurotoxicity in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease

Upload Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) raw DNA data today and take a deep dive into your genome!

Or if you only have standard microarray data currently, upload raw DNA data to get started with your free DNA raw data analysis today!