Ivy leaf extract(Hedera helix) (Hederagenin,Hederacoside C )

What is Ivy leaf extract (Hedera helix)?

Ivy leaf extract(Latin name Hedera helix ), commonly known as English Ivy with active ingredients as Hederacoside C and Hederagenin, is a generally regarded safe herb approved by the German Commission E. Ivy leaf is widely used in Europe and the United States for cough relief, asthma,bronchitis, lung and bronchial support in children of all ages and adults as well.

There are more than 500 ivy species in the world and most of which are for ornamental purposes. However, hedera helix is the most common Ivy source with medical purpose and used in dietary supplement formulas with the most popular specifications as hederagenin10%, hederagenin 20%, and hederacoside C 10%. Hederagenin, with chemical names as 3-beta,4-alpha)-3,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, used to regard as a stimulant like DMAA since they share some similar molecular structure properties, is used in sports nutrition industries by some supplement manufacturers. But its stimulant effects may not be verified.

Chemical constituents of ivy leaf
There are many components in this plant, and the main categories include triterpene saponins, flavonoids, etc. Saponins are said to be the key factors to its general benefits.
Triterpenoid saponins
Triterpenoid saponins constitute about 2.5% to 6% of the Ivy leaves. The approved saponins by scientists and experts are hederagenin, oleanolic acid, bayogenin (2β-hydroxyhederagenin), aglycones, and acylglycosidic sugar chains. The main saponin is the hederasaponin C (hederacoside C) with other hederasaponins (B, D, E, F,G, H and I). The content ratios of the hederasaponins are 1000:70:45:10:40:15:6:5 accordingly. You may easily find that hederacoside C which is metabolised into alpha-hederin, aglycone hederagenin), share a dominant part of the hederasaponins
Flavonoids
Flavonoids include quercetin, kaempferol, 3-o-rutinosides, 3-o-glucosides (isoquercitrin and astragalin). Flavonoids function as antioxidants and help to bind toxins for remove from the body. They also help to tighten and strengthen structures, such as blood vessels, which makes them helpful for circulatory disorders.

Polyphenolic acids such as caffeic and chlorogenic acids
Other ingredients such as phytosterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol, spinasterol, campesterol).

Mechanism of action of ivy leaf extract
How does ivy leaf extract work? The saponins and sapogenins are said to considerably contribute to the efficacy of the herb since they are expectorant and antifungal.

The saponins in ivy extract (alpha-hederin and hederacoside c) are responsible for the spasmolytic and expectorant action. According to recent study results, the mode of action of ivy leaf is based on an indirect β2-adrenergic activity of α-hedrin. According to the theory, the substance inhibits the endocytosis ofβ2-receptors in the lung. Consequently, β2-receptors are hold in the lipid rafts of the cellular membrane and thus be continuously activated by adrenalin. The numerous response reactions include the production of surfactants in the lung epithelia. Especially surfactant protein B (SP-B) decreases the surface tension, whereby mucous viscosity is reduced and coughing up facilitated. Also the typical spasmolytic property of ivy can be explained by this theory, because the increasedβ2-adrenergic receptiveness also leads to an amplified relaxation of smooth bronchial muscles.

The saponin fraction and isolated saponins were demonstrated to exhibit antiviral, antibacterial, antimycotic, anti-anthelmintic, anti-imflammatory and cytotoxic effects. Additionally antioxidative properities were shown for the saponins alpha-Hederin and hederasaponin C

Benefits of taking ivy leaf extract supplement

The traditional uses of ivy leaf extract are to relieve series diseases including bronchitis, whooping cough, arthritis, rheumatism, and dysentery in the form of syrup, powder, tablet, capsules, soft gels, etc.

Ivy leaf extract benefits against cough and bronchitis
Ivy leaf extract is an expectorant, and it treats cough and cold symptoms. It is used in the obstruction of airways in children that suffer from bronchial asthma; it has a good response on whooping cough, spastic bronchitis and chronic cold.

Extracts from ivy leaves have well-proven themselves in children and adult applications. Clinical studies with ivy leaf extracts demonstrate a clear improvement of important lung function parameters, as well as of patients’ well being.

Where to buy ivy leaf extract
Herb Nutritionals Co., Ltd is the manufacturer of ivy leaf extract with full-scale specifications of standardized Hederagenin and Hederacoside C. Documents such as certificate of analysis (COA),MSDS, pricing are all available upon your inquiry.