Native to Eurasia, the field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis is another traditional medicine with multifaceted purposes, especially in alleviating gastrointestinal and skin problems.
Subsequent research has uncovered the presence of proteoglycan mixture (PGM) in this bindweed. Such PGM has potent anti-angiogenesis ability, first discovered in animal models of bone and lung cancers in 2001. Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels, a common strategy that cancerous tumours exploit to secure a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients, enabling them to grow beyond a limited size and invade other organs.
Specifically, in mice with bone cancer, C. arvensis extract treatment diminished tumour size by at least 70% by suppressing angiogenesis. This outcome can be achieved with either injection or oral ingestion, suggesting that C. arvensis has high bioavailability even when taken orally. This animal study also noted no safety concerns of such extract, even at high doses. A 2014 study discovered that the anticancer spectrum of C. arvensis PGM extends to gastric, cervical, kidney, prostate, and breast cancer cells through one mechanism of action: angiogenesis inhibition.
Recent pre-clinical studies have further highlighted the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of C. arvensis. For example, a 2022 study found that C. arvensis extracts reduce oxidative stress by binding to excess metal ions through metal chelation. The accumulation of metal ions promotes free radical formation, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, metal chelation serves as a vital natural defence against metal toxicity and cellular damage.
Studies also show that C. arvensis extracts can calm the immune system by suppressing the secretion of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, a 2024 study found that C. arvensis extracts can prevent protein denaturation, a process linked to various inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Notably, these extracts could protect proteins from being damaged or denatured by heat, with effects comparable to diclofenac, a common anti-inflammatory drug. Denatured proteins are highly inflammatory because they form toxic clumps and disrupt cellular functions.
Research on animal models of arthritis further demonstrated that topical application of C. arvensis gel can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, with results comparable to ibuprofen. Similar to diclofenac, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat pain and inflammation. Overall, with its ability to target multiple pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and carcinogenesis, C. arvensis stands out as a compelling candidate for further clinical research and potential therapeutic use in chronic diseases.
Cover image attribution: “Field Bindweed – Convolvulus arvensis” by Hornbeam Arts is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
