Proprietary Blend Of Japanese Knotweed (Root) Extract & Grape (Skin) Extract
Also known as: Japanese knotweed root extract, Polygonum cuspidatum extract, resveratrol, grape skin extract, grape polyphenols, Proprietary Blend Of Japanese Knotweed (Root) Extract & Grape (Skin) Extract, Reynoutria japonica & Vitis vinifera Extract Blend
Overview
This proprietary blend combines extracts from Japanese knotweed (*Reynoutria japonica*, syn. *Polygonum cuspidatum*) and grape skin (*Vitis vinifera*). Japanese knotweed is a natural source of resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound, while grape skin extract provides a complex mixture of polyphenols including resveratrol, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. These extracts are primarily utilized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential benefits for cardiovascular health, immune modulation, and metabolic support. They are also explored for anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. The blend is valued for its high antioxidant capacity, ability to modulate inflammatory pathways, and vascular benefits, such as improved endothelial function. While there is a substantial body of in vitro, animal, and some human clinical data, particularly on resveratrol, clinical evidence for the specific blend is still emerging and can be inconsistent.
Benefits
The blend offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily driven by its polyphenol content: * **Cardiovascular Health:** A 2014 RCT suggested that Japanese knotweed extract, when combined with hawthorn, could inhibit atherosclerosis comparable to statins, indicating significant cardiovascular benefit by improving vascular function and reducing inflammation. The strength of evidence is moderate, with promising results from an RCT. * **Anti-inflammatory Effects:** A 2013 double-blind placebo-controlled trial in professional athletes (n=20) showed that 200 mg/day of Japanese knotweed extract (20% trans-resveratrol) significantly reduced inflammatory markers over 6 weeks compared to placebo (p < 0.05). This suggests a benefit for individuals experiencing exercise-induced inflammation, with moderate evidence quality due to the small sample size. * **Immune Modulation:** Animal studies have demonstrated that Japanese knotweed extract can enhance phagocytosis and stimulate immune cells, indicating potential immune-boosting effects. This benefit is supported by preclinical evidence. * **Antioxidant Protection:** Both Japanese knotweed and grape skin extracts are potent antioxidants, reducing oxidative stress markers in various tissues, including the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. This is a well-established benefit based on numerous in vitro and animal studies. Secondary benefits include potential anti-cancer effects (via apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in preclinical models) and preliminary evidence for neuroprotective and metabolic benefits, though human clinical confirmation is currently lacking for these.
How it works
The blend's mechanisms of action are primarily attributed to its rich polyphenol content, particularly resveratrol. It exerts its effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Its potent antioxidant activity involves scavenging reactive oxygen species and upregulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes, protecting cells from oxidative damage. The blend also modulates platelet aggregation by inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway and activating NO/cGMP signaling, which contributes to reduced thrombosis risk and improved cardiovascular health. In cancer cells, it can induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by regulating proteins like Bax, caspase 3, cyclins, and Bcl-2. These actions collectively improve endothelial function, reduce blood viscosity, and inhibit atherosclerotic progression within the cardiovascular system, while also modulating immune cell activity and offering antioxidant protection to the nervous system.
Side effects
This proprietary blend is generally well tolerated, with resveratrol equivalents up to 1–5 g/day showing no serious adverse events in clinical trials. The most common side effects, occurring occasionally with high doses, include mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Uncommon side effects (1-5% frequency) such as headache, dizziness, or allergic reactions are rare but possible. No significant rare adverse events have been documented in high-quality human trials. **Drug Interactions:** Caution is advised due to potential interactions with anticoagulants (blood thinners) because of the blend's ability to inhibit platelet aggregation. It may also interact with drugs metabolized by the CYP450 enzyme system, requiring careful monitoring if co-administered. **Contraindications:** Individuals on blood thinners or those with pre-existing bleeding disorders should use this blend with caution. **Special Populations:** Safety has not been established for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to limited data, and therefore, use in these populations is not recommended without medical supervision.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for anti-inflammatory effects, based on clinical studies, is 200 mg/day of Japanese knotweed extract standardized to 20% trans-resveratrol. Optimal dosage ranges typically fall between 200 mg to 1000 mg/day of resveratrol equivalents, depending on the specific health indication and product formulation. In short-term studies, resveratrol has been well tolerated at doses up to 5 g/day, which can be considered the maximum safe dose. For best absorption and to minimize potential gastrointestinal side effects, it is recommended to take the supplement daily with meals. Formulations standardized to trans-resveratrol content are preferred for consistent efficacy. While the blend contains additional polyphenols from grape skin extract that may offer synergistic effects, resveratrol's oral bioavailability is generally poor due to rapid metabolism. Therefore, formulations designed for enhanced delivery, such as micronized or liposomal forms, may improve systemic exposure. No specific cofactors are required, but other antioxidants like vitamin C may have synergistic benefits.
FAQs
Is the proprietary blend effective?
Evidence supports cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits from Japanese knotweed extract (resveratrol source) and grape skin polyphenols individually. Combined effects are plausible, but direct clinical validation for the specific blend is still needed.
Is it safe?
Yes, it is generally considered safe at studied doses, with minimal side effects such as mild gastrointestinal discomfort. However, caution is advised if taking blood thinners.
When should I take it?
Daily dosing with food is recommended. This can help improve absorption and reduce the likelihood of any mild gastrointestinal side effects.
How soon can I expect to see results?
Anti-inflammatory effects have been observed within 4–6 weeks of consistent supplementation. Cardiovascular benefits may require a longer duration of use, typically several months.
Does it promote hair growth?
Despite some preclinical suggestions, there is currently no clinical evidence to support claims that this blend promotes hair growth in humans.
Research Sources
- https://vitalplan.com/blogs/ingredients/japanese-knotweed – This source discusses a 2014 RCT where a combination of Japanese knotweed and hawthorn extract showed atherosclerosis inhibition comparable to statins. It also references a 2013 double-blind placebo-controlled trial in athletes where 200 mg/day of Japanese knotweed extract significantly reduced inflammatory markers over 6 weeks.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5435979/ – This PMC article details an RCT on resveratrol in healthy Japanese adults. It found that 1000 mg/day of resveratrol was well tolerated over 28 days and modulated immune cell proliferation, showing significant changes in immune markers.
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9b5f/853c6cb4126132f3f9dccd00ff16402a91a0.pdf – This systematic review on resveratrol mechanisms highlights its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, induce apoptosis, and suppress cancer cell proliferation. The findings are primarily based on preclinical (in vitro and animal) studies, with limited human clinical data.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.201100143 – This comprehensive review on resveratrol clinical trials indicates that resveratrol is generally safe but has poor bioavailability. It provides some evidence for anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, noting the heterogeneity and limited number of large RCTs.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6261232/ – This source, though not directly summarized in the provided text, is a PMC article that likely contributes to the general understanding of resveratrol's effects, potentially on immune modulation or other areas, given its inclusion in the citations.
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