This proprietary Raintree product has not been the subject of any clinical research. A partial listing of third-party published research on each herbal ingredient in the formula is shown below. Please refer to the plant database files by clicking on the plant names below to see all available documentation and research on each plant ingredient.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
Lupattelli, G., et al. “Artichoke juice improves endothelial function in hyperlipemia.” Life Sci. 2004 Dec; 76(7):775-82.
Thompson Coon, J. S., et al. “Herbs for serum cholesterol reduction: a systematic view.” J. Fam. Pract. 2003; 52(6): 468-78.
Shimoda, H., et al. “Anti-hyperlipidemic sesquiterpenes and new sesquiterpene glycosides from the leaves of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.): structure requirement and mode of action.” Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2003; 13(2): 223–28.
Gebhardt, R. “Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in HepG2 cells by artichoke extracts is reinforced by glucosidase pretreatment.” Phytother. Res. 2002; 16(4): 368–72.
Wegener, T. “The status of herbal antilipemic agents.” Wien. Med. Wochenschr. 2002; 152(15-16): 412-7.
Englisch, W., et al. “Efficacy of artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.” Arzneimittelforschung 2000; 40(3): 260–65.
Gebhardt, R. “Anticholestatic activity of flavonoids from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and of their metabolites.” Med. Sci. Monit. 2001 May; 7 Suppl 1:316-20.
Gebhardt, R. “Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in primary cultured rat hepatocytes by artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extracts.” J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1998; 286(3): 1122–28.
Brown, J. E., et al. “Luteolin-rich artichoke extract protects low density lipoprotein from oxidation in vitro.” Free Radic. Res. 1990; 29(3): 247–55.
Wojcicki, J., et al. “Cynarin and hyperlipidemia” Wiad. Lek. 1977 Oct; 30(19): 1539-41
Pristautz, H., et al. “Cynarin in the modern management of hyperlipemia.” Wien. Med. Wochenschr. 1975; 125(49): 705–9.
Montini, M., et al. “Controlled application of cynarin in the treatment of hyperlipemic syndrome. Observations in 60 cases.” Arzneimittelforschung 1975; 25(8): 1311–14.
Bobnis, W., et al. “Case of primary hyperlipemia treated with cynarin.” Wiad. Lek. 1973; 26(13): 1267–70.
Grogan, J. L., et al. “Potential hypocholesterolemic agents: dicinnamoyl esters as analogs of cynarin.” J. Pharm. Sci. 1972; 61(5): 802–3.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Nerurkar, P., et al. "Lipid lowering effects of Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon) in HIV-1-protease inhibitor-treated human hepatoma cells, HepG2." Br. J. Pharmacol. 2006 Aug; 148(8): 1156-64.
Chan, L. L., et al. “Reduced adiposity in bitter melon (Momordica charantia)-fed rats is associated with increased lipid oxidative enzyme activities and uncoupling protein expression.” J. Nutr. 2005; 135(11): 2517-23.
Chen, Q., et al. “Reduced adiposity in bitter melon (Momordica charantia) fed rats is associated with lower tissue triglyceride and higher plasma catecholamines.” Br. J. Nutr. 2005; 93(5): 747-54.
Hsieh, C. L., et al. “Inhibitory effect of some selected nutraceutic herbs on LDL glycation induced by glucose and glyoxal.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Dec; 102(3): 357-63.
Chaturvedi, P. “Role of Momordica charantia in maintaining the normal levels of lipids and glucose in diabetic rats fed a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet.” Br. J. Biomed. Sci. 2005; 62(3): 124-6.
Sathishsekar, D., et al. “Antioxidant properties of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) seeds on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.” Asia Pac. J. Clin. Nutr. 2005; 14(2): 153-8.
Ansari, N. M., et al. “Antioxidant activity of five vegetables traditionally consumed by South-Asian migrants in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK.” Phytother. Res. 2005; 19(10): 907-11.
Senanayake, G.V. et al. “The effects of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extracts on serum and liver lipid parameters in hamsters fed cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets.” J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 2004 Aug; 50(4): 253-7.
Ahmed, I., et al. “Hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of anti-diabetic Momordica charantia (Karela) fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.” Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 2001; 51(3):155–61.
Jayasooriya, A. P., et al. “Effects of Momordica charantia powder on serum glucose levels and various lipid parameters in rats fed with cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 72 (1–2): 331.

Suma (Pfaffia paniculata)
Pinello, K.C., et al. “Effects of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) extract on macrophage activity.” Life Sci. 2005 Oct 6;
Oshima, M., et al. “Pfaffia paniculata-induced changes in plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice.” J. Reprod. Dev. 2003 Apr; 49(2): 175-80.
Arletti, R., et al. “Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual behavior of male rats." Psychopharmacology. 1999; 143(1): 15–9.
Matsumoto, I., “Beta-ecdysone from Pfaffia paniculata." Japanese patent no. 82/118,422. January 20, 1984.
de Oliveira, F. G., et al. “Contribution to the pharmacognostic study of Brazilian ginseng Pfaffia paniculata.” An. Farm. Quim. 1980; 20(1–2): 277–361.
Nishimoto, N., et al. “Three ecdysteroid glycosides from Pfaffia." Phytochemistry. 1988; 27(6): 1665–68.

Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)
Dickel, M. L., et al. "Plants popularly used for loosing weight purposes in Porto Alegre, South Brazil." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan; 109(1): 60-71.
Mosimann, A. L., et al. "Aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits." Biofactors. 2006; 26(1): 59-70.
Pittler, M. H., “Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review.” Obes. Rev. 2005 May; 6(2): 93-111.
Paganini Stein, F. L., et al. “Vascular responses to extractable fractions of Ilex paraguariensis in rats fed standard and high-cholesterol diets.” Biol. Res. Nurs. 2005 Oct; 7(2): 146-56.
Collomp, K., et al. “Effects of salbutamol and caffeine ingestion on exercise metabolism and performance.” Int. J. Sports Med. 2002; 23(8): 549–54.
Anderson, T., et al. “Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients.” J. Hum. Nutr. Diet. 2001; 14(3): 243–50.
Martinet, A., et al. “Thermogenic effects of commercially available plant preparations aimed at treating human obesity.” Phytomedicine. 1999; 6(4): 231–38.

Vassourinha (Scoparia dulcis)
Ratnasooriya, W. D., et al. “Antioxidant activity of water extract of Scoparia dulcis.” Fitoterapia. 2005 Mar; 76(2): 220-2.
Pari, L., et al. “Protective role of Scoparia dulcis plant extract on brain antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in STZ diabetic male Wistar rats.” BMC Complement. Altern Med. 2004 No; 4:16.
Babincova, M., et al. “Free radical scavenging activity of Scoparia dulcis extract.” J. Med. Food. 2001; 4(3): 179-181.
Pari, L., et al. “Antidiabetic effect of Scoparia dulcis: effect on lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin diabetes.” Gen. Physiol. Biophys. 2005 Mar; 24(1): 13-26.
Latha, M., et al. “Effect of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis on plasma and tissue glycoproteins in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.” Pharmazie. 2005; 60(2): 151-4.
Pari, L., et al. “Effect of Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broomweed) plant extract on plasma antioxidants in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes in male albino Wistar rats.” Pharmazie. 2004; 59(7): 557-60.
Pari, L., et al. “Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract on insulin receptors in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: studies on insulin binding to erythrocytes.” J. Basic Clin. Physiol. Pharmacol. 2004; 15(3-4): 223-40.
Latha, M., et al. “Scoparia dulcis, a traditional antidiabetic plant, protects against streptozotocin induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.” J. Biochem. Mol. Toxicol. 2004; 18(5): 261-72.
Latha, M., et al. “Insulin-secretagogue activity and cytoprotective role of the traditional antidiabetic plant Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broomweed).” Life Sci. 2004 Sep; 75(16): 2003-14.
Latha, M., et al. “Effect of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis on blood glucose, plasma insulin and some polyol pathway enzymes in experimental rat diabetes.” Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 2004; 37(4): 577-86.
Latha, M., et al. “Modulatory effect of Scoparia dulcis in oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin diabetic rats.” J. Med. Food. 2003 Winter; 6(4): 379-86.
Pari, L., et al. “Hypoglycaemic activity of Scoparia dulcis L. extract in alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats.”
Phytother. Res. 2002 Nov; 16(7): 662-4.

Pata de Vaca (Bauhinia forficata)
Jorge, A. P., et al. “Insulinomimetic effects of kaempferitrin on glycaemia and on 14C-glucose uptake in rat soleus muscle.” Chem. Biol. Interact. 2004 Oct; 149(2-3): 89-96.
Pepato, M. T., et al. “Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.” BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2004 Jun; 4:7.
de Sousa, E., et al. “Hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant potential of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from Bauhinia forficata leaves.” J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(5): 829-32.
Lemus, I., et al. “Hypoglycemic activity of four plants used in Chilean popular medicine.” Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(2): 91–4.
Pepato, M. T., et al. “Anti-diabetic activity of Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 81(2): 191–97.
Silva, F. R., et al. “Acute effect of Bauhinia forficata on serum glucose levels in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 83(1–2): 33–7.
Yokozawa, T., et al. “Protective effects of some flavonoids on the renal cellular membrane.” Exp. Toxicol. Pathol. 1999; 51(1): 9-14.

Sarsaparilla (Smilax sp)
Ma, D., et al. ”Effect of sarsasapogenin and its derivatives on the stimulus coupled responses of human neutrophils.” Clin. Chim. Acta. 2001 Dec; 314(1-2): 107-12.
Chen, T., et al. “A new flavanone isolated from Rhizoma smilacis glabrae and the structural requirements for its derivatives for preventing immunological hepatocyte damage." Planta Med. 1999; 65(1): 56–9.
Fukunaga, T., et al. “Hypoglycemic effect of the rhizomes of Smilax glabra in normal and diabetic mice.” Biol. Pharm. Bull. 1997 Jan; 20(1):44-6.
Bernardo, R.R., et al. “Steroidal saponins from Smilax officinalis.” Phytochemistry. 1996 Sep; 43(2): 465-9.
Rafatullah, S., et al. “Hepatoprotective and safety evaluation studies on sarsaparilla.” Int. J. Pharmacognosy 1991; 29: 296–301.