Herbal Extract Inhibits Angiogenesis

click here for Bindweed product availablity

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 immune-stimulating 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 non-toxic 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 gram-posi­tive 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 immune-stimulating and anti-tumor qualities. MPGC should be studied further to elucidate its anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of action.

Chicken Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay

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.

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.

TABLE 1

WITH PGM

Mouse Lewis Lung Carcinoma Model

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.

Mouse Sarcoma Model

Table 1 summarizes the inhibitory effects of MPGC on sarcoma tumor growth in mice.

Lymphocyte Proliferation

There was a dose dependent increase in lymphocyte proliferation induced by MPGC. The results are summarized in Table 2 below.

TABLE 1

IP - Intraperitonaleal Injection IV - Intravenous injection

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

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.

click here for Bindweed product availablity

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.