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Suma extract

Botanical classification: Pfaffia paniculata (Martius) Kuntze (Amaranthaceae).

In addition to a wealth of experience from ethnomedicine, there is only a small number of phytochemical and pharmacological studies (in vitro and in vivo on animals) on Pfaffia paniculata, the suma root. In addition, there are various patents in the field of food supplements and cosmetics. The scientific data is therefore relatively limited. The tonic, adaptogenic effect on the one hand, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-rheumatic effects as well as the influence on sex hormone levels and the inhibition of various forms of tumor on the other make suma root appear in an interesting light.

Ingredients

In addition to amino acids, minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc), a relatively high proportion of germanium, vitamins A, B1, B2, E, K and pantothenic acid as well as allantoin, the root contains saponins, stigmasterol, b-sitosterol and nortriterpenes such as pfaffic acid and its glycosides, pfaffosides A to F, b-ecdysterone and other ecdysteroid glycosides

General

As a tonic and adaptogen, suma root is said to increase the body's resistance and endurance and improve its regeneration, have a positive effect on blood sugar levels, circulation, the nervous, hormonal and immune systems, increase muscle growth and improve memory. The stimulating influence on sexual behavior, combined with an increase in sex hormone levels, has been proven in animal experiments. In vitro and in vivo studies also show antitumor effects.

P. paniculata is used in folk medicine for numerous diseases and disorders, which is also expressed in its name Para Toda - "For all things".

Use in ethnomedicine

  • general tonic, anabolic effect
  • Hormonal dysfunctions (menopause, PMS, etc.)
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome and general tiredness
  • Sexual dysfunctions (impotence, frigidity, low libido, etc.)
  • Supportive in the case of cancer
  • Properties and effects proven by traditional use: adaptogenic, anti-allergenic, antioxidant, carminative, immunostimulant, estrogenic effect, balances the nervous system, generally stimulating and toning.

Scientifically proven properties and effects:

  • analgesic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • anticarcinogenic, antileukemic
  • aphrodisiac
  • cytoprotective
  • cholesterol-lowering
  • immunomodulating (selective modulation of hyperactive immune cells)
  • steroidal effect.

Antineoplastic and tumor-inhibiting effect

Pfaffic acid has a strong inhibitory effect on tumor cell cultures of melanoma (B-16), Hela (S-3) and Lewis lung carcinoma in concentrations of 4 to 6µg/ml. Pfaffosides A to F also inhibit the growth of pheochromocytoma cells in vitro, but show a significantly lower inhibitory effect on melanoma B-16 cells.

Oral application of 750mg/kg/week of a P. paniculata preparation to AKR/J mice for 24 weeks inhibits the enlargement of thymic lymphoma and the proliferation of endogenous recombinant leukemia viruses in mice. The effect of 200mg/kg on ascitic Ehrlich tumor leads to a significant decrease in the volume of ascitis in the treated group of mice (20 days), while the tumor cell count decreased only slightly compared to the control group. The exact mechanism is still unclear, but an anti-inflammatory effect is likely. Since the ethanol extract also has an analgesic-anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and has been shown to inhibit both the early and late inflammatory phases, a positive influence on the inflammatory mediators histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and prostaglandin is assumed.

Blood system

In the treatment of sickle cell anemia, initial in vitro tests with the blood of patients show improved deformability, increased Na+ uptake and increased hydration of the erythrocytes. The improved rheological properties make P. paniculata an interesting drug in the treatment of sickle cell anemia, but clinical data are still pending.

Sexual system

Fluid extracts (0.25 to 1.0 ml/kg bw) improve the copulatory behavior of male rats with low or no sexual potency, while the behavior of normally potent rats remains unchanged. The noradrenergic and dopaminergic tone may be involved in this, possibly also oxytocin indirectly.

Drinking water mixed with P. paniculata (5g powdered root/100ml water) leads to a significant increase in both 17b-oestradiol and progesterone levels in female mice over a test period of 30 days, and also to a significant increase in testosterone levels in male animals. These results confirm the use in folk medicine and underline the modulating effect on the sexual system.

Toxicity

In male mice (BALB/cICB), the powdered root in doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg (dissolved in 0.1 ml water per animal) over the study period of 10 days led neither to changes in serum alanine transferase levels nor to histopathological changes in the liver, kidney or spleen compared to the control group. Even these high doses, which should not be reached when used in humans, do not show any toxicity. Only doses of 2.5g/kg or more lead to minor sedation in mice. However, long-term studies are still pending.

References

  1. Mazzanti G, Braghiroli L: Analgesic Antiinflammatory Action of Paffia paniculata (Martius) Kuntze. Phytochemistry Research 1994, 8, 413-416
  2. Matsuzaki P, Akisue G, Oloris SCS, Gorniak SL, Dagli MLZ: Effect of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on the Ehrlich tumor in its ascitic form. Life Sciences 2003, 74, 573-579
  3. http://www.rain-tree.com/suma.htm
  4. http://www.herbmed.com/sumaroot.html
  5. Takemoto T, Nishimoto N, Nakai S, Takagi N, Hayashi S, Odashima S, Wada Y: Pfaffic acid, a novel nortriterpene from Pfaffia paniculata Kuntze. Tetrahedron Letters 1983, 24, 1057-60
  6. Nishimoto N, Nakai S, Takagi N, Hayashi S, Takemoto T, Odashima S, Kizu H, Wada Y: Pfaffosides and nortriterpenoid saponins from Pfaffia paniculata. Phytochemistry 1984, 23, 139-42
  7. Nakai S, Takagi N, Miichi H, Hayashi S, Nishimoto N, Takemoto T, Kizu H: Pfaffosides. Part 2: Pfaffosides, nortriterpenoid saponins, from Pfaffia paniculata. Phytochemistry 1984, 23, 1703-5
  8. b-Ecdysone from Pfaffia paniculata: Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho. Jp, (Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Japan). 1984, pp 5 pp
  9. Watanabe T, Watanabe M, Watanabe Y, Hotta C: Effects of oral administration of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on incidence of spontaneous leukemia in AKR/J mice. Cancer detection and prevention 2000, 24, 173-8
  10. Ballas SK: Hydration of sickle erythrocytes using a herbal extract (Pfaffia paniculata) in vitro. British journal of haematology 2000, 111, 359-62
  11. Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, Scarpetta G, Bertolini A: Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual behavior of male rats. Psychopharmacology 1999, 143, 15-19
  12. Oshima M, Gu Y: Pfaffia paniculata-induced changes in plasma estradiol-17b, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice. Journal of Reproduction and Development 2003, 49, 175-180
  13. http://www.botanical.com/products/learn/suma.html.