General Introduction

Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is a safe, natural and nutritional dietary supplement used for centuries by Chinese herbalists and nobles.

Over 400 known species of ants have been studied in China, and Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is the only species that the China Ministry of Public Health has approved as a dietary supplement. BBC news reported “scientific research in China has shown that a particular species of Chinese ant, the Polyrhachis Vicina Roger, increases longevity in rats.”

According to The Food Insects News Letter, the nutrients in Polyrhachis Vicina Roger are cornerstones in holistic medicine. Studies have established that Polyrhachis Vicina Roger has more than 8 kinds of free amino acids, which are crucial to the maintenance of a strong, resilient body. Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is a highly effective nutritional supplement that contains the essential vitamins B1, B2, B12, and D and vital minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc. And as much as 67% of the dry weight of Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is protein.

Chemical Analysis

Chemical analysis of the extract of Polyrhachis vicina Roger reveals dense nutritional content including amino acids and minerals in significant amounts, trace amounts of steroids and hormones, and the presence of known, beneficial bioactive compounds including superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful anti-oxidant compound, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), noted for its role in intracellular energy transfer. Demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects have been linked to two novel and promising bicyclic polyketide lactones isolated from Polyrhachis Ant Extract, Polyrhacitide A and Polyrhacitide B. In 2009, a German research team achieved laboratory synthesis of these recently discovered Polyrhacitides, which will allow further pharmacological study.

Pharmacology Function

Medicinal Extract of Polyrhachis vicina Roger has been scientifically proven to exert potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, in both laboratory and clinical settings, supporting its use in the treatment of many diseases including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, and chronic hepatitis. Significant anti-oxidant capabilities as well are demonstrated by free-radical-quenching and anti-lipoperoxidative action.

  • Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects

Medicinal Extract of Polyrhachis was found in several different animal studies to remarkably inhibit inflammation, dose-dependently. Using xylol-, formaldehyde- and acetic acid-induced inflammation models in mice and rats, Extract of Polyrhachis was shown to inhibit vascular permeability, and to measurably reduce inflammation. These models are considered standard laboratory tests of anti-inflammatory activity. The potency of Polyrhachis Extract was shown to match or exceed that of hydrocortisone and indomethacin, and Polyrhachis Extract reduced inflammation by as much as 70% over the untreated control groups.
In addition, impressive dose-dependent analgesic effects are seen in animal testing.4 In human trials, results were seen comparable to significant doses of commonly prescribed NSAIDs such as aspirin, with marked effectiveness at the most acute phases of pain.

  • Anti-oxidant Effects

Extract of Polyrhachis also exhibited remarkable dose-dependent anti-oxidant protection in animal tissue studies in vitro. Liver protective effects were observed using both the Fe-NTA-induced nephrotoxicity model and the CCl4-induced subcutaneous injection model and demonstrated by inhibited necrotic reaction and reduced presence of thiobarbiturate reactive substances (TBARS). In addition, anti-lipoperoxidative action was demonstrated in treated animal organ homogenate in vitro by significant TBARS reduction.
In other tests, the free radical scavenging action of Extract of Polyrhachis was examined in vitro using spin spectometry. DPPH radicals were quenched at an astonishing rate of 50% by the extract at 18mg/ml. Superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were quenched at the same rate at 0.5mg/ml and 1.8mg/ml respectively.

Clinical Studies

Pharmacology studies have demonstrated that Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is effective against rheumatoid arthritis, impotence, premature ejaculation, and lumbago. It has good curative effect in deterring aging and improves function of the immune system. [Scientific Universe (Kexue Tiandi) No. 2, 1982]

Clinical tests indicate that Polyrhachis Vicina Roger has high nutritional value and is not toxic. [Shizhen Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Vol. 6, No. 1]

Ant medicine plays an important role in liver protection and it is used to treat patients suffering from chronic hepatitis. Guanosine triphosphate (high levels of GIP indicate a hepatitis infection) content decreased in white rats after feeding with 2.4g/kg ant paste per day for 5 days. [Zhao et al, 1983]

Clinical Application and Effect of Polyrhachis Vicina Roger

Sample Size Fully Recovered With Notable Effect Improved No Effect Rate of Efficiency
Lumbago and

Backache

 156 44 54 54 4 97.4%
Hypertension 28 2 16 6 4 87.5%
Rheumatoid Arthritis 471 258 194 7 12 97.5%
Neurasthenia 144 82 35 27 0 100.0%
Ebb of Sexual

Potence

 67 36 24 3 4 94.0%

Research Cases

  • Junping Kou, et. al. “Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Total Extract and Individual Fractions of Chinese Medicinal Ants” 2005 Department of Traditional Chinese Prescription, Chinese Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing; Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.
  • Zhi-Hong Juang et. al. “Bicyclic Polyketide Lactones from Chinese Medicinal Ants” 2008 American Chemical Society; American Society of Pharmacognosy
  • Zhao Yi, et. al. The Chemical Ingredients, Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications of Chinese Medicinal Ant Extract Preparations, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of TCM, Nanning 1981-2000 2001 Chinese National Department of Public Health and Department of Pathology.
  • Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis based on American Medical Association standard for rheumatic disease. Symptoms included swelling and deformity of joints, limitation of motion, morning stiffness, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and positive serologic test for RF and corresponding roenterological changes. In the hepatitis study, improvement was measured as reduction or disappearance of H factors, liver function fully or partially restored, SGPT reduced to under 50 IU/ml and decrease in HBsAg drop degree. Cure and improvement in both studies were defined with no relapse to previous levels within 6 months. Clinical studies conducted from 1990-1995.
  • Zhao Yi “Clinical Effect on 18,435 Cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Chinese Ant (Polyrhachis vicina Roger) Extract Preparation” College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
  • The average course of treatment was 6 to 8 weeks, sometimes requiring a maintenance dose given thereafter to consolidate results. Some patients were also treated over the course of this study with other Chinese herbal medicines as warranted by signs and symptoms. Efficacy of ECMA matched or exceed that of prednisone and indomethacin used on a control group in this study.
  • Introduction to Studies of Chinese Ant Extract of Polyrhachis Vicina Roger, Zhao Yi, Professor, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China and Visiting Researcher, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama, Japan.

Uses & Doses

For general wellness and health maintenance, no more than 450 mg with meal once per day Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is a useful treatment for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago/back pain, to increase energy levels or decrease muscle pain after exercise.