Suma

(Pfaffia paniculata)

Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Pfaffia
Species: paniculata
Synonyms: Hebanthe paniculata, Gomphrena paniculata, G. eriantha, Iresine erianthos, I. paniculata, I. tenuis, Pfaffia eriantha, Xeraea paniculata
Common names: Suma, Brazilian ginseng, pfaffia, para toda, corango-acu
Phytochemicals: Beta-ecdysone, Nortriterpenoid Pfaffic Acids, Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Iron, Magnesium, Cobalt, Silica, Zinc, Vitamins A, B-1, B-2, E, K, Pantothenic Acid, Germanium, Saponins
Part Used: Root

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: supports hormones adaptogenic relieves pain reduces inflammation inhibits cancer kills leukemia cells enhances immunity

Other Actions: inhibits blood sickling lowers cholesterol calms nerves inhibits tumor growth increases libido oxygenates cells

Standard Dosage: Root. Decoction: 1 cup twice daily; Capsules: 1-2 g twice daily

Suma is a large, rambling, shrubby ground vine with an intricate, deep, and extensive root system. It is indigenous to the Amazon basin and other tropical parts of (southern) Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

Nutritionally, suma root contains 19 different amino acids, a large number of electrolytes, trace minerals, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B1, B2, E, K, and pantothenic acid. Its high germanium content probably accounts for its properties as an oxygenator at the cellular level; its high iron content may account for its traditional use for anemia. The root also contains novel phytochemicals including saponins, pfaffic acids, glycosides, and nortriterpenes.

Suma has also been called "the Russian secret," as it has been taken by Russian Olympic athletes for many years and has been reported to increase muscle-building and endurance without the side effects associated with steroids. This action is attributed to an anabolic-type phytochemical called beta-ecdysterone and three novel ecdysteroid glycosides that are found in high amounts in suma. Suma is such a rich source of beta-ecdysterone that it is the subject of a Japanese patent for the extraction methods employed to obtain it from suma root (approximately 2.5 g of beta-ecdysterone can be extracted from 400 g of powdered suma root-or .63%). These same Japanese researchers filed a U.S. patent in 1998 for a proprietary extract of suma (which extracted the ecdysterone and beta-ecdysterone); it claimed (through various in vivo and in vitro studies) that their compound maintained health, enhanced the immune system, and had a tonic and an anti-allergenic effect. A French company also filed a U.S. patent on the topical use of these ecdysterone chemicals, claiming that their suma ecdysterone extract strengthened the water barrier function of the skin, increased skin keratinocyte differentiation (which would be helpful for psoriasis), gave the skin a smoother, softer appearance and, also, improved hair appearance.

Suma root has a very high saponin content (up to 11%). In phytochemistry, plant saponins are well known to have a wide spectrum of activities including lowering blood cholesterol, inhibiting cancer cell growth, and acting as antifungal and antibacterial agents. They are also known as natural detergent and foaming agents. Phytochemists report that saponins can act by binding with bile acids and cholesterol. It is thought that these chemicals "clean" or purge these fatty compounds from the body (thus lowering blood cholesterol levels). One of the most famous plant saponins is digitalis, derived from the common foxglove garden plant, which has been used as a heart drug for over 100 years.

The specific saponins found in the roots of suma include a group of novel phytochemicals that scientists have named pfaffosides. These saponins have clinically demonstrated the ability to inhibit cultured tumor cell melanomas (in vitro) and help to regulate blood sugar levels (in vivo). The pfaffosides and pfaffic acid derivatives in suma were patented as antitumor compounds in several Japanese patents in the mid-1980s. In a study described in one of the patents, researchers reported that an oral dosage of 100 mg/kg (of suma saponins) given to rats was active against abdominal cancer. The other patents and Japanese research report that the pfaffic acids found in suma root had a strong in vitro activity against melanoma, liver carcinoma, and lung carcinoma cells at only 4-6 mcg of pfaffic acids. However, it should be noted that this equates to taking 400 to 600 g (about 1 pound) of natural suma root daily to achieve the therapeutic dosage of pfaffic acids reported to demonstrate toxic activity against these cancer cells. As such, it will probably be left up to the pharmaceutical companies to provide synthesized versions of these chemicals in therapeutic amounts.

In addition to the pfaffic acids having anticancerous activity, recent research in Japan (in 2000) reported that natural suma root had anti-cancerous activity as well. In this in vivo study, an oral administration of powdered suma root (at a dosages of 750 mg/kg) was reported to inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma and leukemia in mice and, otherwise, delay mortality. Notice, however, that this antiproliferative effect slowed the growth of these cancer cells - it did not eradicate them. These researchers postulated that the inhibitory effect evidenced might be due to the enhancement of the nonspecific and/or cellular immune systems.

In 1995, another U.S. patent was filed which detailed some beneficial effects of suma root against sickle-cell anemia. In a double blind placebo human study, they reported that 15 patients taking suma root for three months (1000 mg three times daily) increased hemoglobin levels, inhibited red blood cell sickling and, generally, improved their physical condition by reducing side effects during the treatment. These results were statistically higher than the 15 other patients on placebo. Unfortunately, once treatment was discontinued, symptoms and blood parameters returned to their pretreated state within 3-6 months. It was reported, however, that several patients in the study remained on the suma supplement for three years or longer. They reportedly maintained consistent improvement and a higher quality of life with no side effects. Other U.S. researchers (in 2000) studied suma root's actual mechanism of action in its ability to resickle blood cells and reported their findings-which again confirmed an antisickling effect and a rehydration effect of sickled cells (in vitro).

In other research, suma demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in various studies. Another tested activity focused on its long history of use as a sexual stimulant and aphrodisiac. Researchers verified this traditional use, reporting in a 1999 clinical study that a suma root extract was able to increase the sexual performance in healthy, sexually sluggish and impotent rats. In 2001, a U.S. patent was filed on a multi-plant combination containing suma for sexual enhancement in humans. The patent indicated that the suma extract tested increased sexual performance and function.

In South America suma is known as para toda (which means "for all things") and as Brazilian ginseng, since it is widely used as an adaptogen with many applications (much as "regular" ginseng). The indigenous peoples of the Amazon region who named it para toda have used suma root for generations for a wide variety of health purposes, including as a general tonic; as an energy, rejuvenating, and sexual tonic; and as a general cure-all for many types of illnesses. Suma has been used as an aphrodisiac, a calming agent, and to treat ulcers for at least 300 years. It is an important herbal remedy in the folk medicine of several rainforest Indian tribes today.

In herbal medicine throughout the world today, suma is considered a tonic and an adaptogen. The herbal definition of an adaptogen is a plant that increases the body's resistance to adverse influences by a wide range of physical, chemical, and biochemical factors and has a normalizing or restorative effect on the body as a whole.

Following up, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of suma.

Region	Uses
Brazil	for anemia, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, circulation problems, diabetes, Epstein-Barr, hypertension, hyperglycemia, immune disorders, impotence, inflammation, leukemia, lymphatic diseases, mononucleosis, pain, rejuvenator, rheumatism, skin problems, stress, tranquilizer, tremors, tumors, ulcers, and as an aphrodisiac, appetite stimulant, and antioxidant
Ecuador	for arteriosclerosis, bronchitis, circulatory problems, diabetes, digestive disorders, hormonal problems, rheumatism, sexual dysfunction, sterility
Europe	for endocrine disorders, fertility, high cholesterol, immune disorders, menopause, menstrual disorders, nerve problems, stress
Japan	for cancer, steroid enhancement, tumors
Russia	for muscle growth, steroid enhancement
Peru	for fevers, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, flatulence, stomach pains
U.S.	for chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, Epstein-Barr, hormonal disorders, hypertension, impotence, menopause, mononucleosis, nervousness, PMS, sickle cell anemia, stress

SUMA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	decoction or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	adaptogen, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens), aphrodisiac, steroidal, immunostimulant
Main Uses:	as a general tonic (tones, balances, strengthens) for balancing, energizing, rejuvenating and muscle growth for hormonal disorders (menopause, PMS, etc) for chronic fatigue and general tiredness for sexual disorders (impotency, frigidity, low libido, etc) for sickle cell anemia
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antitumorous, anticancerous, antileukemic, aphrodisiac, cellular protector, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), immunomodulator (selectively modulates overactive immune cells), steroidal
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	adaptogen, anti-allergy, antioxidant, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), estrogenic, immunostimulant, nervine (balances/calms nerves), stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Traditional Preparation:	The Brazilian traditional remedy calls for preparing a standard decoction with 10 g of suma root boiled in a liter of water; two cups of the decoction are generally taken daily. Herbalists and health practitioners also employ suma root powder in capsules (the decoction tastes quite bitter) with the reported dosage being 2-4 g daily depending on body weight and health condition and this daily dosage is usually taken in two or three divided dosages throughout the day. For standardized or liquid extract products, follow the labeled dosage instructions.
Contraindications:	Suma has been documented to contain a significant amount of plant sterols including a significant amount of beta-ecdysterone and small amounts of stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol. These sterols might have estrogenic properties or activities and/ or cause an increase in estrogen production (not clinically proven) as this plant has been used traditionally to regulate menstrual processes, as well as to treat menopause, PMS, and other hormonal disorders. As such, it is advisable for women with estrogen-positive cancers to avoid the use of this plant. The root powder has been reported to cause asthmatic allergic reactions if inhaled. When handling raw suma root powder or preparing decoctions with root powder, avoid inhalation of the root powder/dust. Ingestion of large amounts of plant saponins in general (naturally occurring chemicals in suma) has shown to sometimes cause mild gastric disturbances including nausea and stomach cramping. Reduce dosages if these side effects are noted
Drug Interactions:	None reported.

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