Medicinal Value and Potential Therapeutic Mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino and Its Derivatives: An Overview.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (GpM) and its derivatives, especially gypenosides (Gyps), are widely used as safe and convenient natural herbal drugs for the treatment of many diseases for a long time, and Gyps have different oral bioavailability (OB) values and low ability to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB). The effect of GpM and isolates on fibrosis, inflammation, oxidation, proliferation and migration are proved. GpM show bidirectional regulation effect on proliferation, oxidation and apoptosis in tumor and non-tumor cells. GpM and its extractions can resist proliferation, activate oxidation and apoptosis in tumor cells and have opposite effects in non-tumor cells. We succinctly present some current views of medicinal value and potential therapeutic mechanisms of GpM and its derivatives.