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Other common
name(s): carnivora, plumbagin
Scientific/medical
name(s): Dionaea
muscipula
Description
The Venus flytrap is a perennial plant that traps and eats
insects. It is native to the low-lying wetlands of the southeastern
United States. After being harvested, the whole fresh plant is pressed
to remove the liquid extract, which is used as an herbal remedy. It is
also used in mixtures like Carnivora, a patented formula that includes
many ingredients in addition to Venus flytrap extract. Venus flytrap
extract is sold in capsule and liquid form to be taken by mouth and as
an injectable liquid.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
extract from the Venus flytrap plant is effective in treating skin
cancer or any other type of cancer. Some side effects have been
reported with its use.
How is it promoted for use?
Most sellers of Venus flytrap extract base information about
their products on claims about Carnivora. Proponents claim that
Carnivora and Venus flytrap extract have immune stimulant and
anticancer properties. Some even claim that the extract can be applied
directly to some skin cancer lesions to substitute for radiation
therapy and chemotherapy. Some claim that Carnivora can lead to the
total reversal of skin and other forms of cancer. Supporters also claim
that Carnivora is effective for treating colitis, Crohn's disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, neurodermatitis, chronic
fatigue syndrome, HIV, and certain types of herpes.
What does it involve?
Proponents suggest that full-strength or diluted Venus flytrap
liquid extracts can be placed under the tongue or mixed with water to
make a drink. One form of Carnivora can be injected into the skin, a
vein, or muscle. Carnivora can also be inhaled through a vaporizer or
applied directly to the skin. Liquid Venus flytrap extracts for oral
use, including Carnivora, contain about 25% to 30% alcohol.
There is no standard dose for the extracts, and instructions
vary. One product, for example, recommends mixing 15 to 30 drops of the
extract in warm water and drinking it 1 to 3 times a day. Another
advises against swallowing the extract, since it may be inactivated by
stomach acids. Instead, the seller suggests taking ½
teaspoon and holding it under the tongue until absorbed, 3 to 5 times a
day. The recommendation for Carnivora liquid is to take 30 drops mixed
with water or tea 3to 5 times per day. Carnivora capsules are said to
contain 125 micrograms of Venus flytrap along with its other listed
ingredients (1,000 micrograms = 1 milligram). The manufacturer suggests
taking 6 to 9 capsules per day. If the injectable form of Carnivora is
obtained from Germany, a doctor or other health care professional is
needed to inject it.
What is the history behind it?
In the 1970s, a German physician began testing liquids pressed
from the Venus flytrap to determine whether they could digest abnormal
proteins found in cancer cells. Several years later he patented
Carnivora. In a 1985 study, he claimed that out of 210 people with
various types of cancer, 56% experienced either remission or
stabilization of their tumors. He published the findings in a
little-known German medical journal, and the results were never
verified. Carnivora is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), and physicians in this country cannot legally
prescribe the drug. The FDA prohibits its import into the United States
except for personal use.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support the health
claims made for Venus flytrap extract. Plumbagin, a substance found in
many plants, is thought to be the active ingredient in the Venus
flytrap. The plant also contains other compounds such as flavonoids,
acids, and enzymes (digestive proteins).
Most of the studies done on the herbal extract were conducted
by the physician who patented the drug Carnivora, who also has a large
financial stake in a clinic that administers the drug and in the
company that manufactures the drug.
An animal study conducted in India to study the effects of
plumbagin (taken from the Indian medicinal plant Plumbago rosea)
combined with radiation therapy was inconclusive. A second animal study
in India found that plumbagin demonstrated a small degree of antitumor
activity. The results of several other studies from India were positive
but inconclusive. A laboratory study in Japan indicated that plumbagin
had some effect against intestinal tumors, and other laboratory studies
show that plumbagin can induce cell death Although animal and
laboratory studies show promise, further studies are necessary to
determine whether the results apply to humans. It is important to
remember that purified compounds such as plumbagin are not the same as
the fresh plant extract, and study results would not be likely to show
the same effects.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Liquid extracts of Venus flytrap, including Carnivora, do not
appear to be toxic when taken by mouth, but not enough is known about
the active ingredients for scientists to ensure that they are safe.
When liquid extracts have been injected into the skin, muscle, or
veins, side effects have included nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and
collapse of the circulatory system. Skin contact with the fresh plant
can cause irritation, and allergic reactions are possible.
Plumbagin is known to cause toxic side effects such as
diarrhea, skin rash, liver damage, and abnormal blood counts. In animal
studies, female rats given plumbagin failed to conceive, while those
not given plumbagin conceived easily. In addition, pregnant rats given
the drug were more likely to abort. It also affected sperm in male
animals. Plumbagin appears to act as an oxidant, which can damage DNA,
enzymes, and cell membranes. The extent of plumbagin's toxic effects is
not yet known.
Most of the liquid extracts of Venus flytrap contain between
25% and 30% alcohol, which may cause harmful interactions with
medicines such as disulfiram and metronidazole. Consult with your
doctor or pharmacist before taking alcohol-containing medicines. None
of these preparations or extracts should be used by pregnant or
breast-feeding women. Relying on these treatments alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Summary of data for chemical selection: plumbagin 481-42-5.
2000. National Toxicology Program Web site.
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/Plumbagin.pdf.
Accessed June 6, 2008.
Devi PU, Rao BS, Solomon FE. Effect of plumbagin on the
radiation-induced cytogenetic and cell cycle changes in mouse Ehrlich
ascites carcinoma in vivo. Indian
J Exp Biol. 1998;36:891-895.
Gruenwald J. PDR
for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR;
2004.
Kini DP, Pandey S, Shenoy BD, Singh UV, Udupa N, Umadevi P,
Kamath R, Nagarajkumari, Ramanarayan K. Antitumor and antifertility
activities of plumbagin-controlled release formulations. Indian J Exp Biol.
1997;35:374-379.
Srinivas G, Annab LA, Gopinath G, Banerji A, Srinivas P.
Antisense blocking of BRCA1 enhances sensitivity to plumbagin but not
tamoxifen in BG-1 ovarian cancer cells. Mol Carcinog.
2004;39:15-25.
Srinivas P, Gopinath G, Banerji A, Dinakar A, Srinivas G.
Plumbagin induces reactive oxygen species, which mediate apoptosis in
human cervical cancer cells. Mol
Carcinog. 2004;40:201-211.
Sugie S, Okamoto K, Rahman KM, Tanaka T, Kawai K, Yamahara J,
Mori H. Inhibitory effects of plumbagin and juglone on
azoxymethane-induced intestinal carcinogenesis in rats. Cancer Lett.
1998;127:177-183.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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