Gynostemma extract (Jiaogulan, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, GpM) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is also called "Amachazuru" in Japanese and "Panjakun" in Thai. Gynostemma pentaphyllum is in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a kind of Perennial lianas with vine-like stems and has oval leaves with serrated, white hairs and five-leaf clusters. Jiaogulan is sometimes known as "Southern Ginseng" because it grows in Southern China and has a similar effect as ginseng.
The main bioactive ingredients of Jiaogulan are saponins, flavonoids, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. Among them, saponins and flavonoids are identified as the beneficial features of gynostemma.
More than 230 compounds have been identified as being derived from G. pentaphyllum, and it can be divided into saponins, sterols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and several other compounds according to its chemical structure.
Over 165 dammarane triterpene saponins, ( known as gypenosides), have been identified from Jiaogulan and four (gypenoside III, IV, VIII, and XII) of them are identical to the Panax ginseng (ginsenoside Rb1, Rb3, Rd and F2, respectively), what's more, the amounts of these ingredients in GpM is more abundant than the Panax ginseng. Flavonoids are the most often polyphenolic plant compounds, which are also referred to as vitamin P, Flavonoids extracted from G. pentaphyllum are mainly composed of kaempferol and quercetin derivatives.
Gynostemma has been used in the treatment of leukopenia, hyperlipidemia, viral hepatitis, chronic gastroenteritis, chronic bronchitis, hematological disorders, hyperlipidemia, hormonal side effects, and sexual dysfunction, which has important scientific value.