Herbal Extract Inhibits
Angiogenesis
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Bindweed or Convolvulus arvensis is a commonly found weed and every
farmer's nightmare - damaging crops by wrapping itself around plants such as
corn and wheat. Bindweed grows all over the world - from Europe to China,
and from Canada to South America. Farmers actually refer to it as "the cancer
of weeds" - an ironic nickname. This amazing weed has demonstrated
powerful angiogenesis inhibiting properties - testing 100 times stronger than
shark cartilage. With this kind of data, the potential for patients is enormous: a
patient could take just 2 capsules per day of this extract versus the equivalent
of 200 capsules of shark cartilage per day.
100 Times Stronger Than Shark Cartilage
The proteoglycan mixture (PGM) found in bindweed has tested 100 times
more effective than shark cartilage by weight. Using chicken egg
chorioallantoic membrane tests, PGM was found to inhibit angiogenesis from
18% (for doses of 50 mcg per egg) to 73% (for doses of 200 mcg per egg).
See photos and charts. _
The Mechanism Behind The Weed
Researchers at the Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning in
Wichita, Kansas have conducted numerous studies on PGM to identify the
mechanisms behind its anti-neoplastic effects: “There are only a handful of
possible mechanisms to look for: immune stimulation, apoptosis induction;
redifferentiation; angiogenesis inhibition; and the direct killing of tumor cells
PGM works as an angiogenesis inhibitor" - Neil Riordan, PA-C, M.S.
Moderate Immune Stimulation
In addition to its angiogenesis inhibiting properties, PGM is also a moderate
immune stimulator. Studies done on PGM's effect on human lymphocyte
growth in vitro have demonstrated an increase in lymphocyte production from
35 to 46 percent. Physicians working with cancer patients are reporting
positive results consistent with this data. See 'What Doctors Are Saying “ after
this article.
Toxicity Testing
Numerous animal studies have been performed to determine the toxicity of
bindweed extract. At the equivalent of 1400 grams of PGM for humans, no
toxicity was found in test animals. However it is important to note that
bindweed, before the extraction process, does contain toxic alkaloids.
Conclusion
PGM is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor with mild immune stimulating
properties, such as stimulating lymphocyte production. In animal studies,
faster results occurred when an immune stimulant was added to the PGM.
PGM is currently being studied as an adjunct to chemotherapy and
immunotherapy at the Biocommunications Research Institute in Wichita,
Kansas.
The statements made herein have not been evaluated by the US. Food and
Drug Administration This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or
prevent any disease.
Research Paper
Anti-Angiogenic, Anti-Tumor and Immunostimulatory
Effects of a Non-Toxic Plant Extract (PGM)
Riordan NH, Meng X, Riordan HD.
Presented at Comprehensive Cancer Care 2000, Arlington, Virginia, June,
2000.
Abstract
Recruitment of new blood vessels plays a crucial role in tumor survival and
growth. Several agents that act as angiogenesis inhibitors are currently being
investigated as anti-tumor agents. Proteoglycan extract (PGM) was tested for
anti-angiogenic, immunostimulatory, and anti-neoplastic activity. PGM is a
non-toxic extract of the ubiquitous plant, Convolvulus arvensis. In the chicken
egg chorioallantoic membrane assay PGM inhibited new blood vessel growth
in a dosedependent manner. Results were 18, 55, and 73% inhibition at
concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mcg. respectively. PGM significantly
inhibited tumor growth in the mouse fibrosarcoma (S180 Kun Ming 3-4
weekold mixed male/female, 10 animals per group, 2501000 mcg. daily doses
for 14 days), and mouse Lewis Lung Carcinoma (C57, 6 wk old mixed
male/female, 10 animals per group, 2501000 mcg. Daily doses for 14 days)
models. Inhibition (5477% inhibition by weight compared to controls, up to
96.8% by cellular composition) occurred regardless of route of administration:
intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and oral. PGM induced
lymphocyte growth in a dose dependent manner. The ability of PGM-treated
phagocytes to phagocytose yeast cells was 85% greater than controls. We
conclude that PGM is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor that has
immunostimulatory activity in vitro and anti-tumor activity in vivo and that PGM
should be studied further as an antineoplastic agent.
Background
Every aspect of tumor growth requires vascular growth. In 1971 Folkman
hypothesized that controlling angiogenesis could be a feasible anti-tumor
strategy. Recently the description of angiostatin and endostatin has resulted
in increased interest in angiogenesis inhibitors as anti-tumor agents.
Because of an anecdotal report of complete remission in a case of human
ovarian carcinoma after consumption of 'an extract of the ubiquitous plant
Convolvulus arvensis, we tested extract of this plant for anti-angiogenesis and
immune stimulating effects.
Convolvulus arvensis is well known to contain toxic alkaloids. Therefore, in
this study we examined a high molecular weight water extract of the plant that
does not contain appreciable concentrations of alkaloids, which are depleted
in the manufacturing process. The extract is primarily comprised of
proteoglycan molecules and is herein referred to as PGM.
Summaries of Animal & Human Studies
See following pages for summaries and results of several significant animal
and human studies conducted by the above researchers
Researchers' Conclusion
Research has been presented demonstrating that an extract of the plant
Convolvulus arvensis has potent angiogenesis inhibiting and immunestimulating qualities. This extract also demonstrated anti-tumor effects in two
mouse tumor models. The exact details regarding the anti-angiogenesis
mechanism of bindweed extract are not completely understood. This extract
should be studied further to elucidate its anti tumor effects and mechanisms of
action. .
Research Paper
Effects of Cell Wall Extracts of Gram Positive Bacteria
(MPGC) on Human Immunity and Tumor Growth in Animals
Riordan NH, Meng X, Taylor P, Riordan HD. Presented at
Comprehensive Cancer Care 2000, Arlington, Virginia, June, 2000.
Abstract
Muramyl polysaccharide glycan complex (MPGC) was tested for its
immunostimulatory effects on human mononuclear cells and lymphocytes and
for its anti-tumor effects in the S-180 mouse sarcoma model. MPGC is a nontoxic purified extract of the bacterial cell walls of gram positive bacteria. In
vitro MPGC (0.1 mg/mL) stimulated the production of Interleukins 1, 6, and
12, and stimulated human lymphocyte proliferation. A mixture of cytokines
produced by MPGC (0.1 mg/mL) stimulated human monocytes resulted in the
maturation of immature human dendritic cells as evidenced by flow cytometric
quantitation of CD83. Tumors were established in Kun Ming mice (3-4 weeks
old, 19-21 grams each, mixed male/female, 10 animals per group) after
subcutaneous injection of S180 sarcoma cells in the- flank. Intraperitoneal
MPGC (250 mcg/dose, daily for 14 days, first injection 2 days after tumor
establishment) resulted in 75% inhibition of tumor growth. Using the same
model and conditions, intravenous MPGC (250 mcg/dose. daily for 14 days,
first injection 2 days after tumor establishment) resulted in 77% inhibition of
tumor growth compared to controls.
We conclude that MPGC has immunostimulatory and anti-tumor qualities and
should be studied further as an immuno-therapeutic agent for cancer.
Background
Bacterial and fungal cell wall extracts have been used as immune stimulants
and anti-tumor agents. Examples are Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG),
~Polysaccharide K, beta 1,3 glucan, the Maruyama vaccine, and extracts of'
Bifidobacterium, L lactis, L. fermentum, L. acidophilus, S. lactis.
Muramic acid is a component of bacterial cell wails with immunostimulatory
qualities that may be partially responsible for the anti-tumor effects of grampositive bacterial extracts. Muramyl peptides (comprised of two muramic acids
bound together) sensitize macrophages to phosphatidylserine and muramic
acid, both of which are found preferentially on tumor cells. Muramyl peptides
upregulate monocyte cytokine genes (IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, macrophage
chemotatic and activating factor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha but not lL-2
or IL-10) and activate monocyte-mediated tumoricidal activity. Muramyl
peptides increase the ability of macrophages to recognize virally infected
cells, including cells infected with oncogenic viruses. Muramyl peptides and
muramic acid are not selectively internalized by monocytes, and therefore
have been associated with toxicity. Monocytes/macrophages have mannose
receptors that allow them to readily internalize polysaccharides that contain
mannose.
Muramyl polysaccharide-glucan complex (MPGC), is a non-toxic bacterial cell
well extract of Lactobacillus fermentum that contains muramic acid moieties
attached to variable length mannose rich polysaccharides. The mannose rich
polysaccharides promote internalization of the entire muramic acid containing
complex.
Animal & Human Studies
Summaries and results of several significant animal and human studies
conducted the above researchers can be seen in the following pages.
Researchers’ Conclusion
Research has been presented demonstrating that MPGC has immunestimulating and anti-tumor qualities. MPGC should be studied further to
elucidate its anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of action.
Research Data
TABLE 1
Chicken Egg
Chorioallantoic
Membrane Assay
200 mcg/egg 100 mcg/egg 50 mcg/egg
73% p<.0001 55% p<.0001 18%
Angiogenesi was inhibited
in a dose dependent
manner by PGM. The
results are summarized in
Table 1. Images of two
chorioallantoic membranes
are shown in the photos
below.
WITH PGM
Mouse Lewis Lung
Carcinoma Model
WITHOUT PGM
Mouse Sarcoma
Model
The tables below
summarizes data for
subcuntageous,
intravenous,
intraperitonaeal, and oral
PGM in the S-180 tumor
model. p<0.1 for all
subsets.
PGM inhibited tumor growth
in the Lewis Lung
Carcinoma model by 62%
at the highest concentration
injected, 1000 mcg/day
(p<.001).
Human Lymphocyte
Proliferation
Lymphocytes proliferated in
a dose-dependent manner
to the PGM. The results are
summarized in the table
below.
Conc. (mcg/ml)
0 .8 4
20 100
% increase in number of
0 12 35 20 46
lymphocytes
Amount injected and route of administration
(po=orally sq=subcutaneously ip=intraperitoneal iv=intravenous)
Research Data
Mouse
Sarcoma
Model
Table 1
summarizes
the inhibitory
effects of
MPGC on
sarcoma tumor
growth in mice.
Lymphocyte
Proliferation
TABLE 1
S-180 Mouse Tumor Model
Tumor Tumor
Tx
Weight Growth
(250ug/dose)
(grams) Inhabition
Control
2.40
0%
75%
MPGC IP
0.60
p<.001
77%
MPGC IV
0.54
p<.001
IP - Intraperitonaleal Injection IV - Intravenous
injection
There was a
dose
dependent
increase in
lymphocyte
proliferation
induced by
MPGC. The
results are
summarized in
Table 2 below.
TABLE 2
Lymphocyte Proliferation
MPGC Concentration (ug/ml)
Cytokine Production
MPGC Significantly induced the
production of Interleukin 6 and
Interleukin 12 from human
monocytes. The results are
summarized in Table 3.
TABLE 3
FA Extract Effect on MCM Cytokines
FA
IL-6
IL-12
(mg/ml)
(ug?ml)
(pg/ml)
0
0
0
0.1
499
1880
1
700
690
What Doctors are Saying
"We have been in practice for 15 years and are always looking for something
that works. It has been my experience that if bindweed extract does not shrink
a tumor, it will arrest its growth it stops the progression of the disease, which
buys valuable time to add additional therapies. Every one of our patients that
has used it in their treatment protocol has had a positive effect. We recently
had an experience with a Stage IV breast cancer patient with metastases to
the liver and bone. In addition to traditional cancer treatment, the patient used
bindweed extract, along with a number of other natural protocols. The growth
of her tumors stopped and her markers went down from 950 to 530 in the first
45 days. She had been labeled terminal, but instead, she has been given the
time to completely change her outlook on life. It has always been our feeling
that if we can give people more quality of life and a little more quantity if we
can minimize their suffering, then we're doing well. PGM has definitely helped
us accomplish that goal."
"We have also found MPGC to be very useful, because there are broader
applications for it. We have had successful results with cancer challenges.
MPGC has been quite effective for our patients with both acute and chronic
infections excellent for immune compromised patients with chronic conditions.
It has even been effective for chronic dental infections, cavitations and root
canals."
Jeff Marrongelle, DC
Schuylkill Bionutritional
Schuylkill, Pennsylvania
"PGM seems to be responsible for a lot of positive changes in my patients'
cancer treatment. My patients also report that they feel better and experience
a reduction of symptoms on PGM."
"I use MPGC not only for my cancer patients, but also for immune stimulation
for conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, HIV, chronic infections,
and general immune dysfunction and my patients feel great on it."
Mary Shackelton, ND
Boulder, Colorado
"Clinically, I think the bindweed extract is a very interesting substance. We
have observational clinical evidence so far that it is an effective angiogenesis
inhibitor. We have been unable to study this in a research sense as yet. I think
PGM has a very exciting future. We also find that it is much better tolerated
than shark cartilage. In terms of electrodermal testing, PGM consistently tests
better than the two other main angiogenesis inhibitors, shark cartilage and
thalidomide."
"Basically, the MPGC is a highly effective remedy, and we find it useful in a
wide range of situations. We are using it mostly in cancer. We would like to do
further studies to look at the changes in tumor necrosis factor, which we can
measure directly before and after the use of MPGC in our cancer patients. My
clinical experience with MPGC leads me to state that it has to be used with
some degree of care, as in some patients underlying conditions may be
temporarily exacerbated. But in our experience, all such occurrences have
resulted in ultimate resolution of whatever problem there was."
Julian Kenyon, MD, MB, ChB, Medical Director
The Dove Clinic for Integrative Medicine
Hampshire, UK
“A woman with ovarian cancer came into our research office seven years ago
and said she felt she had to talk to someone about this weed. Her medical
doctor wasn’t particularly interested in it and she felt that it could help a lot of
people.After being given a death sentence of only one year to live, she
decided to take the tincture of bindweed. That was seven years before coming
to our office.”
Neil Riordan, PA-C, M.S.
Aidan Clinic of Immunology and Oncology
Tempe, Arizona
Letter From A Patient
November 24, 2000
Dear Doctor,
On June 5th of this year, I went into surgery for a planned Whipple procedure
(removal of pancreas duodenum for pancreatic cancer). After the exploratory
laparontomy, it was found that the tumor of the common duct extended along
the porta, into the liver and was felt to be unresectable. The surgeons took
samples to biopsy, which confirmed invasive adenocarcinoma of the pancreas
-Stage IV. They offered radiation and chemotherapy, not as a cure, but as a
possible short-term life extension of an additional month or two. Without this
option, they told me, I might only live one to three months. Having the
background in nursing that I do, I quickly turned down this therapy and went
home.
All of my nutritional supplements were immediately increased and many
others added, including Beta 1-3 Glucan, IP6, and enzymes. In addition, I was
taking Vitamin E, CoQ10, selenium, lipoic acid, calcium, magnesium, MSM,
niacinamide, and I increased my oral Vitamin C to 16 grams per day. After
July 27th, I started on WPGC (Muramyl polysaccharide-glycan complex) and
increased my lipoic acid. It was evident that despite all of the supplements I
was taking daily, including large amounts of intravenous Vitamin C, the tumor
was growing. Due to the hardness of the tumor, I could feel its outline. My
liver was 3 fingers below the ribcage.
On September 29th, I started another supplement - PGM, taking 2 oz. daily.
After 7 days on the PGM, I noticed a change- there was a reduction in the
size of the tumor. On October 6th, I increased the daily dose of PGM to 4 oz.
On October 7th, my pitting edema, which was about a 1+ in my ankles and
legs, along with some fluid buildup around my abdomen - disappeared. On
October 11th, twelve days after starting the PGM, the hard area (or rim of the
tumor) had decreased about a quarter of an inch; and behind the bard rim,
about one half was spongy to the touch. After a stent replacement on October
26th, my doctor said he noticed the tumor decreasing in size. Once a week, I
continued to examine myself and noticed the size of the tumor decreasing. By
November 19th I could no longer feel the tumor and my liver has returned to
its normal size. Thank you for this opportunity.
Sincerest Regards.
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Herbal Extract Inhibits Angiogenesis
Click here for the full article
Contraindicated in conditions where vascular formations are desirable, i.e. heart disease, an active healing wound. Do not
take for 2 weeks before and after surgery, or during pregnancy or lactation. Seek the advice of a health care practitioner
before using this product.