Kinetic Analysis of A Single Bolus Intake of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan)‐containing Liquid Dietary Supplement, JULE of the Orient™ on Human Peripheral Blood Circulation

Abstract

We examined the effects of a single bolus intake of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (jiaogulan)‐containing herbal tonic named JULE of the Orient™ (JULE) on peripheral blood circulation at various time points after intake in healthy female human subjects (n=6; average age=34.5 y) who complained of cold hands and feet. JULE contains water‐extracted jiaogulan standardized for its main active constituents, gypenoside saponins, which is reported to increase nitric oxide generation in the arterial wall in in vitro study. The kinetic effect of a single bout of JULE (60 ml) intake on peripheral blood circulation was investigated as flow rate in both hands scanned by laser‐Doppler at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after intake. The flow rate was statistically analyzed by paired t‐test. JULE intake significantly increased circulation by 60% more than baseline level at 2–4 hours after intake (P<0.01) and gradually lowered 6 hours after intake. The area under the curve 0 through 6 hours over the baseline level after JULE intake was significantly higher than placebo group (P<0.01). These results suggest that JULE may have an acute stimulating effect on peripheral blood circulation that may contribute to its improvements in various subjective symptoms shown in a separate clinical study.