Cistanche is a parasitic dessert herb native to the Taklamakan desert region of northwest China where it grows on host desert plants.[1] Cistanche has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and has been scientifically shown to have multiple anti-aging effects including:
- improving memory function and preventing neurodegenerative diseases via its action in upregulating nerve growth factor (NGF).[2]
- stimulating immune function and preventing immune senescence.[3]
- preventing amyloid buildup in the brain that is associated to Alzheimer’s disease.[4]
- improving hormone regulation and production. The hormones studied include, but may not be limited to, growth hormone and testosterone.[5]
Aging is the breakdown of systems within the body and much of the breakdown is related to immune function and immune senescence. What is immunosenescence? According to Trempe and Lewis, “immunosenescence refers to the gradual deterioration of our immune system as we get older. It involves our capacity to respond to infections and maintain our long-term immune memory that was acquired (usually in our early life) either by infection or vaccination.”[6]
When too much cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced our body goes into a proinflammatory state. A pro-inflammatory state can hasten or increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s, dementia, many cancers, and cause havoc with our hormones furthering the establishment of a disease state. Cistanche may be able to reduce this “cytokine storm” within the body and allow for the immune, neurological and hormonal systems to work proactively against the aging process.[7]
Echinacoside (ECH) is the main polysaccharide within Cistanche responsible for the many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that lead to its natural anti-aging effects. In fact, in a study published in 2017 by Phytomedicine, fruit flies were given Cistanche for 20 days and it improved their lifespan by 18.9%.[8] In another study published in 2018 by Biogerontology, roundworms were given the active compound within cistanche, echinacoside (ECH), which increased the lifespan of the roundworm by 13.64%.[9]
In conclusion, it can be surmised that taking supplemental cistanche at a 100 mg dose once or twice a day may prove to have anti-aging effects that can possibly lead to a healthier and longer life. If you would like to purchase cistanche I recommend using a reputable brand that caters to anti-aging like Life Extension. They have a 100 mg dose which can be purchased via Amazon here.
References
[1] Gu C, Yang X, Huang L. Cistanches Herba: A Neuropharmacology Review. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2016;7:289.
[2] Zhou XL, Xu MB, Jin TY, Rong PQ, Zheng GQ, Lin Y. Preclinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms of Extracts or Compounds from Cistanches for Alzheimer’s Disease. Aging and disease. 2019;10(5):1075-1098.
[3] Zhang K, Ma X, He W, et al. Extracts of Cistanche deserticola Can Antagonize Immunosenescence and Extend Life Span in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Prone 8 (SAM-P8) Mice. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2014;2014:601383.
[4] Chao Cl, Huang HW, Huang HC, et al. Inhibition of Amyloid Beta Aggregation and Deposition of Cistanche tubulosa Aqueous Extract. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2019;24(4).
[5] Wu CJ, Chien MY, Lin NH, et al. Echinacoside Isolated from Cistanche tubulosa Putatively Stimulates Growth Hormone Secretion via Activation of the Ghrelin Receptor. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2019;24(4).
[6] Trempe, Clement L., and Thomas J. Lewis. The End of Alzheimer’s: The Brain and Beyond. 2nd ed., Academic Press, 2017.
[7] Aiello A, Farzaneh F, Candore G, et al. Inmunosenescence and Its Hallmarks: How to Oppose Aging Strategically? A Review of Potential Options for Therapeutic Intervention. Frontiers in immunology. 2019;10:2247.
[8] Lin WY, Yao C, Cheng J, Kao ST, Tsai FJ, Liu HP. Molecular pathways related to the longevity promotion and cognitive improvement of Cistanche tubulosa in Drosophila. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2017;26:37-44.
[9] Chen W, Lin HR, Wei CM, et al. Echinacoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside from Cistanche deserticola, extends lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and protects from Abeta-induced toxicity. Biogerontology. 2018;19(1):47-65.
