Patrinia Villosa Extract
Also known as: Patrinia villosa, Chinese medicinal herb, PVE
Overview
Patrinia villosa is a medicinal herb traditionally used in East Asia, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), for its purported anti-inflammatory properties and its application in treating various conditions such as appendicitis, enteritis, and gynecological inflammation. The extract, primarily derived from the aerial parts of the plant, is being investigated for a range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, pro-angiogenic, and anti-cancer activities. While its traditional use is well-established, modern scientific research on Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) is still in its early stages, with most evidence stemming from preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models). These studies have begun to elucidate its potential mechanisms of action and therapeutic benefits, but comprehensive clinical trials and systematic reviews in humans are largely absent, indicating a need for further research to validate its efficacy and safety in human populations.
Benefits
Research on Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) suggests several potential benefits, primarily supported by preclinical studies: * **Hepatoprotective Effects:** PVE has demonstrated significant liver protection. A controlled animal study in rats showed that PVE dose-dependently reduced elevated liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and improved liver tissue damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Histopathological analysis confirmed reduced inflammation and damage. This effect is thought to be mediated by modulating amino acid metabolism and the TCA cycle, suggesting a role in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammatory injury in the liver. * **Pro-angiogenic Effects:** PVE exhibits promising pro-angiogenic properties, meaning it can promote the formation of new blood vessels. In human endothelial cells (HUVECs), PVE enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and the formation of capillary-like structures. These effects were mediated through the activation of FAK (focal adhesion kinase) and Akt phosphorylation pathways. Further validation in ex vivo (mouse aortic ring assay) and in vivo (murine hindlimb ischemia model) studies supports its potential application in conditions like peripheral vascular insufficiency, where improved blood flow is beneficial. * **Anti-cancer Effects:** Preliminary in vitro studies indicate potential anti-cancer activity. A heat-generated compound, DHD, isolated from PVE, significantly inhibited the viability and migration of human colon cancer cells (HCT116). While these findings are promising, they are currently limited to cell culture experiments and require extensive further research, including animal and human studies, to determine clinical relevance and efficacy.
How it works
Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) exerts its effects through various biological pathways. Its anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective actions are likely mediated by modulating key metabolic pathways, including alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, as well as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This modulation helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory damage, particularly in liver tissue. The pro-angiogenic effects of PVE are attributed to the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Akt signaling pathways, which are crucial for promoting endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and the formation of new blood vessels. While the exact molecular targets for its anti-cancer effects are still being investigated, a compound isolated from PVE has shown to inhibit cancer cell viability and migration in vitro.
Side effects
Detailed safety and toxicity data for Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) from human clinical trials are currently lacking. While traditional use suggests general tolerability, and animal studies have not reported adverse effects at the tested doses, formal human safety data, including comprehensive side effect profiles and drug interaction information, have not been established. Therefore, caution is advised when considering PVE supplementation until more robust human safety data become available. Specific risk factors, severity, and frequency of potential adverse effects are unknown. There is no information on specific drug interactions or contraindications. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, those taking other medications, or pregnant/nursing women should exercise extreme caution and consult a healthcare professional before using PVE. The absence of reported adverse effects in preclinical studies does not guarantee safety in humans, and further research is essential to determine its full safety profile.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) based on clinical trials. The available research is primarily preclinical, with animal studies providing some insight into effective doses in specific models. For instance, in a rat model of liver injury, oral doses ranging from 0.98 to 2.96 g/kg of PVE were administered daily for 7 days, demonstrating dose-dependent efficacy. However, these animal dosages cannot be directly extrapolated to humans without proper pharmacokinetic and dose-finding studies in human subjects. The optimal form, timing, and specific dosages for different therapeutic purposes in humans remain undetermined. Without clinical data, upper limits and safety thresholds for human consumption are also unknown. Therefore, any use of PVE should be approached with caution, and professional medical advice is recommended.
FAQs
Is PVE effective for liver protection?
Preclinical evidence from animal models supports hepatoprotective effects of PVE in chemically induced liver injury, showing reduced liver enzymes and improved tissue health.
Can PVE improve blood vessel growth?
Yes, in vitro and animal models indicate that PVE enhances angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) by promoting endothelial cell activity via FAK/Akt pathways.
Does PVE have anti-cancer properties?
Early in vitro data suggest potential anti-cancer activity, with a compound from PVE inhibiting cancer cell viability and migration, but clinical relevance is yet to be determined.
Is Patrinia villosa extract safe for human consumption?
Safety in humans is not well-studied; while traditional use suggests low toxicity, formal human safety data, including side effects and drug interactions, are needed before definitive conclusions can be made.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9633866/ – This controlled animal study on Sprague-Dawley rats investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) against CCl4-induced liver injury. The study found that PVE dose-dependently reduced serum ALT/AST levels and improved liver histology, suggesting a protective effect. Metabolomic analysis indicated that PVE modulated amino acid metabolism and the TCA cycle, providing insights into its mechanism of action. The study had good internal validity but was limited to an animal model, lacking human data.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20594998/ – This research explored the pro-angiogenic effects of Patrinia villosa extract (PVE) using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. It demonstrated that PVE enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and capillary-like structure formation, mediated by FAK and Akt phosphorylation pathways. The findings were further supported by a murine hindlimb ischemia model, showing PVE's ability to promote angiogenesis. While providing robust mechanistic evidence, the study lacked human data, limiting its clinical translation.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2023.1195883/full – This in vitro study investigated the anti-cancer potential of a heat-generated compound (DHD) isolated from Patrinia villosa extract. The compound was found to inhibit the viability and migration of human colon cancer cells (HCT116). This research provides preliminary evidence for the anti-cancer properties of PVE components. However, as an in vitro study, it requires further validation through animal and human studies to determine its clinical relevance and efficacy.
