The 10+ Benefits of Thunbergia Laurifolia (Laurel Clockvine)

Thunbergia Laurifolia is a traditional herb in Thailand that has a variety potential benefits. 

Thunbergia Laurifolia (TL, commonly known as blue trumpet vine or laurel clockvine) is a traditional herb from Thailand (known as Rang Jeud in Thai). R

It has been used for: R R R R R R R R

• Addiction
• Detoxification and Poisoning
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea 
• Excessive Gas
• Gout
• Hangovers
• Hemorrhoids
• High Blood pressure
• Jaundice
• Liver Disease
• Muscle Pain
• Stomach Aches
• Ulcers

1. May Relieve Depression And Improve Cognition

In mice that were given depression and memory problems (olfactory bulbectomy is a way to induce depression and Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia pathologies in rodents), TL was able to restore short term memory and acetylcholine levels in the brain. R 

TL was also able to reduce depressive-like symptoms. R

2. Enhances Dopamine In The Brain

In animal models, TL increases and enhances dopamine release in the brain. R R

3. May Help With Stimulant Addictions

TL can mimic the effects of amphetamines and may help with addiction caused by amphetamines. R

It may also help with addiction of cocaine. R

4. May Help With Diabetes

TL can decrease high levels of blood glucose in diabetic animal models. R R

It may also restore some activity of pancreatic beta-cells (insulin-secreting cells) and other important pancreatic enzymes. R R

5. Mitigates Effects of Toxins

TL may protect against the damage caused by:

• Alcohol (protects the liver) R
• Arsenic R
• Cadmium (protects kidneys and liver) R
• Herbicides R
• Insecticides R
• Lead (protects the brain) R R
• Strychnine R

6. Helps With Wound Healing

TL may shorten the time it takes for burns to heal as well as lessen the amount of scab formation. R

7. May Help With Pain And Inflammation

In immune cells exposed to lipolysaccarides (LPS), TL could reduce the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus reducing inflammation, as well as possibly pain. R

In mice exposed to carageenin, TL could protect against swelling-based pain. R

8. Has Antimicrobial Activity 

TL has antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis. R

TL can also protect the blood from a parasitic Plasmodium Berghei infection. R

9. Protects The Biliary System

As discussed before, TL prevents liver damage from drinking alcohol or cadmium exposure. R R

TL also restore antioxidant levels in the liver and enhances its ability to detox toxins. R R

TL can also lower high cholesterol levels. R

TL may protect the biliary system from developing cancer. R

10. May Protect Against Cancer

TL may protect DNA from mutating when exposed to compounds that create DNA damage. R

Still in progress as I gather more data.

Herbal tea versions of TL have the strongest antioxidant effects. R R

• Capsules (and this version)
• Pure Powder
• Tablets
• Tea

TL may have synergistic effects with Saint John’s Wort. R

TL is technically non-toxic, even at high doses. R

• For example in mice, at doses ranging from 20 to 2,000 mg/kg/day, TL did not affect their body weight, food consumption, behavior, and general health. R
• Also in an earlier toxicity study of aqueous leaf extract of TL in mice at 1, 2, 4, and 8 g/kg/day, it was reported that no mice died during the first month, suggesting that the extract is non-toxic, effective, and safe for consumption. R

Although, it may decrease blood pressure (which may be a good thing). R

TL may decrease blood sugar (which may be a good thing, unless you are hypoglycemic). R

It may decrease red blood cell counts. R

TL may interfere (make less effective) drugs that act on the CYP450 pathway. R

It may interact with: R

• Amitriptyline
• Cyclosporin
• Dextrometorphan
• Digoxin
• Indinavir
• Irinotecan
• Oral Contraceptives
• Phenprocoumon
• Simvastatin
• Warfarin
• Xanax

Simple:

• Increases Acetylcholinesterase R
• Increases Caspase-3 R
• Increases ChAT R
• Increases CHRM1 R
• Increases Collagen R
• Increases CYP1A1 R
• Increases CYP1A2 R
• Increases CYP2B6 R
• Increases CYP3A4 R
• Increases dopamine R
• Increases P-gp/ABCB1/MDR1 R
• Increases PPAR-gamma R
• Reduces ALT R
• Reduces AST R
• Reduces CYP2D6 R
• Reduces CYP2E1 R
• Reduces CYP3A7 R
• Reduces O-2 R

Advanced:

• TL has iridoid glucosides, grandifloric acid (apigenin) and phenolic acids (delphinidin-3, caffeic acid, gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, and protocatechuic acid) as well as other active compounds (chlorophyll a and b, pheophorbide a, pheophytin a, and lutein). R R R R
• TL increases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (brain area responsible for the reward mechanism of addiction). R
• TL may help wounds by reducing inflammation and increasing fibroblast proliferation (increasing matrix proteins, hyaluronan, fibronectin, proteoglycan, and collagens). R
• Aqueous extracts of TL may have the highest antioxidant activity, followed by ethanol and then acetone extract. R
• In the liver, animals subjected to alcohol TL could stabilize ALT, AST, HTg and centrilobular hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes. R
• Hepa 1C1C7 cells that were treated with TL could induce the phase II xenobiotic detoxification enzyme quinone reductase in a dose-dependent manner. R
• TL can inhibit intestinal α-glucosidase, pancreatic α-amylase, pancreatic lipase, and pancreatic cholesterol esterase. R
• TL also binds to bile for excretion, thus helping lower cholesterol. R
• TL in presence of superoxide (O-2) inhibits 50-69% for total activity and xanthine oxidase inhibition. R
• In mice subjected to lead poisoning, TL can restore caspase-3 activity and maintain total antioxidant capacity/enzymes in the brain. R
• TL increases choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and muscarinic M1 receptor mRNAs in the brain but only has effects of acetylcholinesterase in toxin-challenged brains, such as lead exposure. R R

• Acetobacter thailandicus may be found in Thunbergia laurifolia grown in Thailand (probably non-toxic). R