Convolvulis arvensis

• How It Works

  Leaf extract of Convolvulis arvensis, also known as field bindweed, may stop the growth of new blood vessels. However, research is very limited and it has not been studied in humans.

  Field bindweed is an invasive weed found in many parts of the world. It has been used in traditional medicine, and extracts from the leaves are sold as dietary supplements.

  Lab studies suggest that these extracts may stimulate the immune system and stop the growth of new blood vessels. A few animal studies suggest it may also reduce tumor size in mice. However clinical trials have not been conducted, so whether this effect could occur in humans is not known. In addition, there could be adverse effects. For instance, because these extracts may affect the growth of new blood vessels, they may also interfere with wound healing.

• Purported Uses
  • To stop blood vessel growth and shrink tumors
    Lab studies in mice and chicken eggs suggest that bindweed extracts may stop blood vessel growth. In mice, this caused tumors to stop growing. However, this effect has not been tested in humans.
  • To stimulate the immune system
    One small study in rabbits suggests that field bindweed extract stimulates some immune system cells; another lab study showed it may affect white blood cell growth. Studies have not been conducted in humans.
  • To lower high blood pressure
    Field bindweed has been used in traditional medicine to lower high blood pressure, but no studies have been conducted in humans.
  • As a laxative
    Field bindweed has been used in traditional medicine as a laxative. No scientific evidence supports this use.
• Do Not Take If
  • You use drugs that inhibit blood vessel growth, such as bevacizumab: Field bindweed extract may increase the risk of adverse effects.
  • You have a wound or injury that is healing: Field bindweed extracts may interfere with wound healing.
  • You are pregnant, or you are a child or adolescent: Field bindweed extracts may prevent blood vessel growth, which is needed for fetal and child development.
• Side Effects

  Consumption of large quantities of raw field bindweed caused side effects of the digestive system in animals.

• Special Point

  Field bindweed extracts have not been tested in humans as a cancer treatment. They are not substitutes for prescription anticancer drugs.

• Brand Name

  C-statin, VascuStatin

• Scientific Name

  Convolvulis arvensis

• Clinical Summary

  Convolvulis arvensis, commonly known as field bindweed, is a plant that belongs to the morning glory family. It is a perennial vine with white to pink flowers that can be found in temperate regions. C. arvensis is considered a noxious weed in US farmlands due to its invasive nature, but has historical use as a medicinal plant in Europe for hypertension and as a laxative ⁽¹⁾, and in traditional Chinese medicine for relief of itching, pain, and toothache ⁽²⁾. The leaf extract is marketed as a dietary supplement to support vascular health by restricting new blood vessel growth. Related products are also promoted as a natural cancer treatment.

  In vitro and animal studies show that water extracts from the plant’s aerial parts are rich in proteoglycans and have antiangiogenic and immune-stimulating effects ^{(3) (4) (5) (6)}. Other studies found that these constituents also increased vasodilation and circulatory function, and lowered blood pressure in animals ⁽⁷⁾. Alkaloids from raw field bindweed are toxic to animals ^(8) (9), but dietary supplements are alkaloid-free.

  Due to its ability to inhibit new blood vessel growth, C. arvensis should not be used before and after surgery. Infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women should also avoid this product.

• Mechanism of Action

  Water extract from the aerial parts of C. arvensis is thought to be rich in proteoglycans. It exerts immunostimulatory effects in animals by increasing total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts as well as increasing serum lysosome activity ⁽⁴⁾. The lipophilic glycoside constituents have cytotoxic effects in human tumor cell lines ⁽⁵⁾. Tumor growth inhibition with a high molecular weight extract of C. arvensis was dose-dependent and attributed to its ability to inhibit blood vessel growth ⁽⁸⁾.

  Other animal studies show that tropane alkaloids from C. arvensis have antimuscarinic activity, slowing gastrointestinal motility. This may increase absorption of toxins, leading to intestinal fibrosis gastritis and/or hepatitis ⁽⁸⁾.

• Contraindications

  C. arvensis leaf extract inhibits vascular development ⁽⁸⁾, and can theoretically interfere with wound healing.

• Adverse Reactions

  In animal studies, weight loss and intestinal pain occurred after consuming large amounts of bindweed, likely due to the tropane alkaloid contents ⁽⁸⁾.

• Herb-Drug Interactions

  Antiangiogenic agents (eg, bevacizumab): Theoretically, because leaf extracts of C. arvensis have antiangiogenic activities ⁽⁸⁾, it may increase the risk of adverse effects when used with these medications.

• References

  1. Rexhepi B, Mustafa B, Hajdari A, et al. Traditional medicinal plant knowledge among Albanians, Macedonians and Gorani in the Sharr Mountains (Republic of Macedonia). Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2013:1-26.

  2. Zhou J GX, Xinjian Y. Isolated Compounds T-Z, References, TCM Plants and Congeners. Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines: Molecular Structures, Pharmacological Activities, Natural Sources and Applications. Vol 5: Springer; 2011:410.

  3. Manbir K, Kalia AN. Convolvulus arvensis – A useful weed. Int J Pharmacy Pharm Sci. 2012;4(1):38-40.

  4. Al-Bowait ME, Albokhadaim IF, Homeida AM. Immunostimulant effects of binweed (Convolvulus arvensis) extract in rabbits. Res J Pharmacol. 2010;4(2):51-54.

  5. Sadeghi-Aliabadi H, Ghasemi N, Kohi M. Cytotoxic effects of Convolvulus arvensis extracts on human cancerous cell line. Res Pharmaceutical Sci. Mar 2008;3(1)(April 2008):31-34.

  6. Meng XL, Riordan NH, Casciari JJ, et al. Effects of a high molecular mass Convolvulus arvensis extract on tumor growth and angiogenesis. P R Health Sci J. Dec 2002;21(4):323-328.

  7. Sowemimo BO, Farnsworth NR. Phytochemical investigation of Convolvulus arvensis (Convolvulaceae). J Pharmaceutical Sci. 1973;62(4):678-679.

  8. Todd FG, Stermitz FR, Schultheis P, et al. Tropane alkaloids and toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis. Phytochemistry. May 1995;39(2):301-303.

  9. Schultheiss PC, Knight AP, Traub-Dargatz JL, et al. Toxicity of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) to mice. Vet Hum Toxicol. Oct 1995;37(5):452-454.

  10. Said AM, Numan IT, Hamad MN. Study of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects for fractioniated extracts of Convolulus arvensis on bone marrow in mice. Int J Pharmacy Pharm Sci. 2013;5(SUPPL. 2):303-305.

  11. Sher Z, Ibrar M, Hameed I. Setting pharmacognostic standards for Convolvulus arvensis Linn. J Med Plant Res. 2011;5(23):5540-5544.