Supplement
Gou-teng is the hooked stem of a climbing plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, and its alkaloids act on serotonin receptors, calcium channels and nerve-signaling pathways in the brain. Little research on it has been reviewed here so far, and what exists mostly points to protection of nerve cells in animal and lab work. No trials of Gou-teng on its own have tested it in people, so the evidence is limited at best.
- Updated
- How we grade
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 2
- Outcomes
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 0014
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection Multiple animal and in vitro studies demonstrate neuroprotective effects against ischemia and glutamate excitotoxicity. Key alkaloids (GME, rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline) protect neurons via 5-HT1A partial agonism, NMDA receptor modulation, calcium channel effects, and anti-inflammatory activity in microglia. No isolated Gou-teng human neuroprotection trials exist. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | ||||
| Agitation (Dementia-Related) Human studies of the Yokukansan formula (containing Gou-teng as a key ingredient) show benefit for dementia-related behavioral symptoms and agitation. However, effects cannot be attributed specifically to isolated Gou-teng as Yokukansan is a multi-herb formula. GME's aripiprazole-like partial D2 agonist mechanism provides a plausible pharmacological basis for antipsychotic-like effects observed in animal models. | Changes; see studies | Small effect |
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anticonvulsant Effects In animal seizure models, Gou-teng alkaloids demonstrate anticonvulsant activity. Proposed mechanisms include NMDA receptor modulation by rhynchophylline and calcium channel effects. Traditional use in Chinese medicine for epilepsy aligns with preclinical findings, but no controlled human trials of isolated Gou-teng for seizures have been conducted. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | ||||
| Blood Pressure In hypertensive rat models, Gou-teng extracts reduce blood pressure. Hirsutine and rhynchophylline alkaloids may contribute via calcium channel modulation. Supported by longstanding traditional use for hypertension in Chinese medicine. No controlled human trials of isolated Gou-teng for blood pressure have been published. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety Anxiolytic effects observed in animal behavioral models. The 5-HT1A partial agonist activity of GME provides a plausible mechanism, paralleling the anxiolytic drug buspirone which acts via the same receptor. No human trials of isolated Gou-teng for anxiety have been conducted. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect |
Key findings
- NeuroprotectionImproves (the measure goes up)
- Agitation (Dementia-Related)Changes; see studies
- Anticonvulsant EffectsChanges; see studies
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- Grade C
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