Jiaogulan
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 379 participants, researched for Adaptogenic & Stress Effects, Metabolic Health & Blood Sugar, Cardiovascular Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Adaptogenic & Stress Effects
StrongMetabolic Health & Blood Sugar
StrongCardiovascular Health
StrongAnti-inflammatory & Hepatoprotective
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Adaptogenic & Stress Effects
To evaluate Jiaogulan extract on fatigue and stress in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Jiaogulan extract on fatigue and stress in healthy adults
Dose
225 mg/day Jiaogulan extract (8-ginsenoside enriched)
Participants
58 healthy adults under work stress
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in fatigue scores (p=0.02) and cortisol. Wellbeing questionnaire scores improved significantly. Adaptogenic effects comparable to Rhodiola.
How They Measured It
Fatigue VAS, cortisol, salivary IgA, wellbeing questionnaire
To assess Jiaogulan effects on exercise endurance and oxygen uptake
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Jiaogulan effects on exercise endurance and oxygen uptake
Dose
225 mg/day Jiaogulan extract
Participants
24 healthy male cyclists
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant increase in VO2 max (p=0.03) and time to exhaustion (+12 minutes). Blood lactate accumulation reduced at submaximal intensities. RPE lower.
How They Measured It
VO2 max, time to exhaustion, blood lactate, perceived exertion
Metabolic Health & Blood Sugar
To evaluate Jiaogulan extract on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Jiaogulan extract on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes
Dose
6 g/day Jiaogulan tea
Participants
52 type 2 diabetes patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in FPG (12%, p=0.01), HbA1c (-0.6%), and HOMA-IR. Postprandial glucose also significantly reduced. AMPK activation proposed mechanism.
How They Measured It
FPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, insulin
To assess Jiaogulan on metabolic syndrome parameters
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Jiaogulan on metabolic syndrome parameters
Dose
450 mg/day Jiaogulan standardised extract
Participants
45 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in fasting glucose (-9%), triglycerides (-14%), and waist circumference. CRP reduced by 18%. Metabolic syndrome components improved.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, lipids, waist circumference, blood pressure, CRP
To evaluate Jiaogulan on insulin signalling in pre-diabetic adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Jiaogulan on insulin signalling in pre-diabetic adults
Dose
450 mg/day Jiaogulan extract
Participants
48 pre-diabetic adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in 2-hour glucose post-OGTT (p=0.02) and insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin levels increased. Progression to diabetes reduced.
How They Measured It
OGTT, insulin sensitivity, HOMA-IR, adiponectin
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate Jiaogulan on lipid profile and cardiovascular risk markers
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Jiaogulan on lipid profile and cardiovascular risk markers
Dose
60 mg gypenosides daily
Participants
56 hypercholesterolaemic adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in total cholesterol (9%), LDL (12%), and triglycerides (16%). HDL increased by 7%. CRP reduced. Cardiovascular risk improved.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, ApoB, CRP
To assess Jiaogulan on blood pressure and endothelial function
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Jiaogulan on blood pressure and endothelial function
Dose
225 mg/day Jiaogulan extract
Participants
40 mildly hypertensive adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in systolic BP (6 mmHg, p=0.03) and diastolic BP (4 mmHg). FMD improved by 15%. NOx levels elevated.
How They Measured It
Blood pressure, FMD, plasma NOx
Anti-inflammatory & Hepatoprotective
To evaluate Jiaogulan on NAFLD and liver enzyme markers
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Jiaogulan on NAFLD and liver enzyme markers
Dose
450 mg/day Jiaogulan
Participants
56 NAFLD patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in ALT (28%) and AST (21%) vs placebo. Liver fat grade on ultrasound improved in 40% of Jiaogulan group. CRP reduced.
How They Measured It
ALT, AST, liver fat by ultrasound, CRP
To summarize clinical evidence for Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) health benefits
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize clinical evidence for Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) health benefits
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review
Duration
Various
Results
Evidence supports adaptogenic, anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering, and hepatoprotective effects. AMPK activation a key mechanism. Good safety profile. Larger long-term RCTs needed.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of RCTs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jiaogulan research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), involving 379 total participants. Research covers Stress adaptation, Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Jiaogulan has been researched for: Stress adaptation, Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control, Anti-inflammatory, Endurance. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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