Spatholobus Suberectus
Also known as: Spatholobus, chicken blood vine, Spatholobus suberectus
Overview
Spatholobus suberectus is a woody vine native to East Asia, traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. It is primarily valued for its purported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, and anticancer properties. The supplement is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, which are believed to be the primary contributors to its pharmacological effects. While there is a growing body of preclinical (in vitro and animal) evidence supporting its benefits, large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans are still limited. Emerging systematic reviews and meta-analyses are beginning to shed light on its potential, particularly concerning its anticancer potential and its role in improving bone health in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Benefits
Spatholobus suberectus exhibits several evidence-based benefits. A comprehensive 2022 review highlighted its significant anti-tumorigenic activity, especially in breast cancer models, by modulating cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis with negligible side effects reported in preclinical studies. This review also emphasized its rich polyphenol content, contributing to strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are fundamental to its therapeutic potential across various diseases. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta-analysis on herbal medicines, including Spatholobus suberectus, in rheumatoid arthritis patients demonstrated significant improvements in bone mineral density (BMD) when combined with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Specifically, increases of approximately 0.03-0.04 g/cm² in lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were observed (p < 0.001), suggesting its potential in preventing secondary osteoporosis. Preclinical evidence also points towards neuroprotective and antimicrobial properties, though these areas require more robust clinical investigation.
How it works
The therapeutic effects of Spatholobus suberectus are primarily attributed to its bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols and flavonoids. These compounds exert antioxidant effects by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress within the body. Its anti-inflammatory actions are mediated through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and key signaling pathways, such as NF-κB. The anticancer effects involve multiple mechanisms, including the modulation of apoptosis (programmed cell death), induction of cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and metastasis. In the context of bone health, it appears to reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and modulate bone remodeling processes, thereby enhancing bone density when used adjunctively with DMARDs. Data on its absorption and bioavailability in humans are limited but are likely influenced by the complex metabolism of polyphenols.
Side effects
Overall, Spatholobus suberectus is considered to have a favorable safety profile, with negligible side effects reported in both preclinical and clinical studies. The available literature does not consistently document any significant adverse events or drug interactions. However, it is crucial to note that comprehensive safety data from large human populations are currently lacking. Therefore, caution is advised, particularly for special populations such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or individuals who are taking multiple medications, due to the absence of extensive research in these groups. While current evidence suggests a low risk, the full spectrum of potential interactions or long-term effects in diverse human populations has not been thoroughly established.
Dosage
Specific dosing guidelines for Spatholobus suberectus are not well-established due to the variability in formulations and the limited number of standardized clinical trials. Preclinical studies utilize a wide range of doses, which are not directly translatable to human use. In clinical settings, Spatholobus suberectus is often incorporated into multi-herbal formulations, making it challenging to isolate the optimal dose for this specific ingredient. Therefore, precise recommendations for dosage, timing, and duration of use are not yet available. Further rigorous clinical investigation is required to determine effective and safe dosing ranges for various therapeutic purposes and to establish standardized formulations.
FAQs
Is Spatholobus suberectus safe?
Current evidence suggests a good safety profile with negligible side effects in studies. However, large-scale human safety data are still limited, so caution is advised, especially for vulnerable populations.
What conditions might Spatholobus suberectus help with?
It shows potential as an adjunct therapy for cancer prevention/treatment, inflammatory conditions, and improving bone health in rheumatoid arthritis patients, based on preclinical and some clinical data.
How soon do benefits appear when taking Spatholobus suberectus?
Clinical data are insufficient to define a precise time course for benefits. While preclinical effects can be rapid, human effects likely require weeks to months of consistent use to manifest.
Can Spatholobus suberectus interact with other medications?
No significant drug interactions have been consistently documented. However, comprehensive data are lacking, so individuals on multiple medications should consult a healthcare professional.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9497142/ – This narrative review comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological activities of Spatholobus suberectus, highlighting its strong anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. It emphasizes its potential in breast cancer models by modulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, noting a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies. The review synthesizes existing in vitro and animal data, pointing to the need for more human clinical trials.
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bf55/fb6c62578799b778e6548b77dba57549ccc6.pdf – This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of herbal medicines, including Spatholobus suberectus, in improving bone mineral density (BMD) in rheumatoid arthritis patients. It found that when combined with conventional DMARDs, these herbal interventions significantly increased BMD in the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p < 0.001), suggesting a role in preventing secondary osteoporosis. The study provides high-quality evidence for this specific application, though it notes the challenge of attributing effects to a single herb within combinations.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12410399/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of herbal adjuncts on depressive and schizophrenia symptoms across 768 patients. While it found that herbal adjuncts improved symptoms and had comparable safety to controls, it did not isolate the specific effects of Spatholobus suberectus. Therefore, its relevance to Spatholobus suberectus is indirect, indicating a broader trend in herbal medicine research but not specific to this ingredient.
