Bindweed

Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Classification

Convolvulus arvensis L., commonly known as field bindweed, is a plant that belongs to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). It is a perennial vine with white to pink flowers that can be found in temperate regions. This evergreen herbaceous weed, typically found in temperate, tropical, or Mediterranean regions, can spread as thick mats on the ground, with stems reaching up to 2 m.

Common names for Convolvulus arvensis include field bindweed, creeping Jenny, European bindweed, morning glory, perennial morning glory, small-flowered morning glory, creeping Charlie, field morning glory, devil's guts, orchard morning glory, possession vine, and corn bind. According to Austin, C. arvensis "has at least 84 common names." Etymologically, Convolvulus comes from the Latin convolv, meaning "rolling together" or "twining," while arvensis is the Latin word for "field."

Botanical synonyms include Convolvulus ambigens House and Strophocaulos arvensis (L.) Small. Field bindweed is considered one of the most troublesome weeds of agricultural fields worldwide and is native to continental Europe and Asia, having been widely naturalized in tropical and temperate parts of the world.

Common Commercial Preparations

The leaf extract is marketed as a dietary supplement to support vascular health by restricting new blood vessel growth. Commercial supplement products derived from bindweed include:

• C-Statin™: A naturally occurring plant extract, featuring a patented proteoglycan molecule (PGM) from field bindweed. Each serving of 2 capsules delivers Convolvulus arvensis extract (leaves) alongside gelatin capsule and maltodextrin as other ingredients.
• AngioBlock™: A water extraction of the leaves of Convolvulus arvensis containing proteoglycan mixture (PGM), from which the toxic alkaloids are removed by a proprietary process.

High-molecular-weight extracts of bindweed are produced by collecting high-molecular-weight components of a homogenized aqueous solution of bindweed material. The extraction method allows for the removal of small molecules, including alkaloids, from the plant material, which are known to be toxic.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Historically recognized as both a food source and traditional medicine since the 18th century, C. arvensis has been widely used in folk medicine for ailments such as rheumatism, skin issues, infections, diabetes, and digestive disorders.

European Traditions

C. arvensis has historical use as a medicinal plant in Europe for hypertension and as a laxative. In European folk medicine, bindweed teas and tinctures were often recommended to gently cleanse the liver, stimulate bile production, and alleviate mild constipation. As early as 1890, a United States herbalist described it as a laxative.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, C. arvensis was used for relief of itching, pain, and toothache.

South Asian and Pakistani Traditions

In the traditional medicine of Pakistan, roots of C. arvensis are used as purgatives, while the leaves' paste is applied topically to treat boils, inflammation, and rheumatism. To cure constipation, dried whole plant mixed with molasses is given with milk at night, or fresh whole plant boiled in water is eaten as a vegetable with wheat bread. Fresh plant ground with black peppers in water is given to treat bleeding piles, leprosy, and other skin diseases.

Traditionally, the flower is used as a tea infusion and also in the treatment of wounds, skin ulcers, inflammation, and fever, whereas the leaf can be helpful during the menstrual period.

Indigenous North American Traditions

Bindweed entered American Indian medicinal usage: the Navajo use it as a medicine for spider bites and an intestinal stimulant, the Pomo use it to aid menstruation and childbirth, and the leaves and roots are considered to be laxatives in some South American cultures, where a medicine from the leaves is made to stimulate bile flow.

3. Key Phytochemical Constituents

Previous phytochemical studies have shown that C. arvensis contains alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, resin glycosides, coumarins, and triterpenes. Phytochemical studies showed that Convolvulus arvensis contained alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carbohydrates, sugars, mucilage, sterols, and resin, as well as tannins, unsaturated sterols/triterpenes, lactones, and proteins.

Tropane and Pyrrolidine Alkaloids

Specifically, Convolvulus arvensis was found to contain the tropane alkaloids tropine, pseudotropine, and tropinone, as well as cuscohygrine, meso-cuscohygrine, and calystegines. Pseudotropine, the major alkaloid, is known to affect motility.

Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids

Previous studies have shown the abundant presence of benzoic acid along with different phenolic compounds comprising p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillin acid, syringic acid, and ferulic acid in C. arvensis extracts. Based on LC-UV-MSn chromatographic analysis, the main detected metabolites can be organized in three metabolite groups: phenolic acids, flavonoid glycosides, and glycolipids.

The flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol are particularly noteworthy. Main constituents of C. arvensis are quercetin and kaempferol. Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside was detected in C. arvensis whole parts by LC-ESI-MS analysis.

Essential Oil Constituents

The yield of recovered essential oils from Convolvulus arvensis was 0.34% of the total mass of leaves and was mainly rich in cuprenne (34%), thymol (20%), himachalene (16%), and longifolene (10%).

Proteoglycan Mixture (PGM) — The Principal Supplement-Active Fraction

Pharmacologically, the water extract of the aerial parts of Convolvulus arvensis is rich in high-molecular-weight proteoglycan mixture (PGM), and has potent anti-angiogenesis and immune-stimulating effects. The PGM fraction is the constituent specifically concentrated in commercial dietary supplements and upon which most modern scientific investigation has focused.

A high-molecular-weight proteoglycan molecule from the bindweed plant (Convolvulus arvensis) was identified as capable of inhibiting angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels necessary for tumor growth.

Antioxidant Capacity

The total phenolic contents of C. arvensis in terms of µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per mg extract was found to be 96 µg GAE/mg, while the flavonoid content in methanolic extract in terms of quercetin equivalent (QE) was found to be 12.9 µg QE/mg. The antioxidant activity of the Convolvulus arvensis ethanol extract assessed by ABTS radical cation, ORAC, and FRAP assays was 1.62 mmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g DW, 1.71 mmol TE/g DW, and 2.11 mmol TE/g DW, respectively.

4. Established Mechanisms of Action

Antiangiogenic Activity

The PGM from C. arvensis has been found to strongly inhibit angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a common strategy that tumors exploit to secure a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients, allowing them to grow beyond a limited size and invade other distant organs.

In the chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane assay, PGM inhibited new blood vessel growth in a dose-dependent manner, with results of 18%, 55%, and 73% inhibition at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 µg, respectively.

Immunostimulatory Activity

A water extract from the aerial parts of C. arvensis is thought to be rich in proteoglycans. It exerts immunostimulatory effects in animals by increasing total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts as well as increasing serum lysosome activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Ethyl acetate (ARE) and methanol (ARM) extracts of C. arvensis significantly decreased mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, COX-2, and iNOS. Furthermore, both extracts dose-dependently decreased IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 secretion in LPS-activated murine macrophage cells (an in vitro model).

Vasorelaxant and Blood Pressure Effects

Other studies found that the constituents of C. arvensis increased vasodilation and circulatory function, and lowered blood pressure in animals. These effects were observed in preclinical models only.

Cytotoxic Effects

The lipophilic glycoside constituents of C. arvensis have cytotoxic effects in human tumor cell lines. Tumor growth inhibition with a high-molecular-weight extract was dose-dependent and attributed to its ability to inhibit blood vessel growth.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Antiangiogenic and Anticancer Activity

Evidence grade: Preclinical only (in vitro and animal models); no published human clinical trials.

In vitro and animal studies show that water extracts from the plant's aerial parts are rich in proteoglycans and have antiangiogenic and immune-stimulating effects.

The foundational animal study involved murine tumor models. In a 2001 study involving mice with bone cancer, treatment with C. arvensis extract diminished tumor size by at least 70% by suppressing angiogenesis, effectively cutting the tumor's nutrient and blood supply.

The key mechanistic in vitro experiment used a chick egg chorioallantoic membrane model. After identifying proteoglycan molecules (PGMs) as the antitumor constituent in bindweed, the chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane model was used to determine the extent of bindweed's antiangiogenic activity. Approximately 200 fertilized chicken eggs were prepared with a working surface. Tumor cells were added that secrete cytokines, eliciting new tumor blood vessel growth. The angiogenesis-inhibiting substance was then added and the rate and degree of angiogenesis observed. Scientists concluded that proteoglycan molecules inhibited new tumor blood vessels in a dose-dependent manner: 18%, 55%, and 73% inhibition at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 µg, respectively (Meng et al. 2002).

PGM from C. arvensis has been reported to possess different biological activities. Investigators examined anti-tumor, anti-angiogenesis, and immunostimulatory activities. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured on Matrigel basement matrix, tube formation after treatment with PGM was assessed as a marker of anti-angiogenic activity.

Further studies have found that the anticancer spectrum of C. arvensis PGM extends, in preclinical models, to gastric, cervical, kidney, prostate, and breast cancer through anti-angiogenesis inhibition.

Clinical trials have not been conducted, so whether these effects could occur in humans is not known. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center explicitly states that field bindweed extracts have not been tested in humans as a cancer treatment and are not substitutes for prescription anticancer drugs.

5.2 Leishmanicidal Activity

Evidence grade: In vitro only; preliminary.

A 2014 PubMed-indexed study provides evidence of remarkable leishmanicidal and anti-angiogenic activities of PGM. PGM was subjected to cultivated Leishmania major promastigotes and leishmanicidal activity was determined using MTT assay. The findings were described as providing scientific basis for further phytochemical investigation; no human data exist.

5.3 Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Evidence grade: In vitro (cell culture); no human data.

C. arvensis is used in Pakistani traditional medicine to treat inflammation-related disorders. Its anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated on hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts of the whole plant on pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-activated murine macrophage J774 cells at the non-cytotoxic concentration of 50 µg/mL. Forty-five compounds were putatively identified in the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts by dereplication using HPLC-UV-HRMS analysis and molecular networking, most reported for the first time in C. arvensis. This research remains strictly at the cell-culture level.

5.4 Hepatoprotective Activity

Evidence grade: Preclinical (rodent) models only; no human trials.

A study published in the Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology (2013) tested the hepatoprotective potential of C. arvensis against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in a rodent model. The results showed that extract of C. arvensis at doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg produced a significant (p<0.05) decrease in paracetamol-induced elevated levels of liver enzymes and total bilirubin. Histopathological investigation and detection of the active constituent quercetin by HPLC also supported the results. The study concluded that the ethanolic extract of C. arvensis possesses hepatoprotective activity. The hepatoprotective effect is attributed in part to its quercetin content. Ethanolic extract of C. arvensis is proposed to possess hepatoprotective activity due to quercetin.

5.5 Wound Healing

Evidence grade: In vitro antioxidant assays and animal (rodent) wound models only.

C. arvensis L. is rich in phenolic compounds and is traditionally used to treat wounds, skin ulcers, and inflammation. A study published in 2022 aimed at scientifically substantiating its traditional wound healing use. The methanolic extract of C. arvensis stem (CaME) was analyzed by HPLC and GC-MS. The antioxidant potential of CaME was evaluated by in vitro methods including DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferric reducing power assays. Ointment formulations of 10 and 20% CaME were applied topically and evaluated for wound healing potency against excisional wounds on the skin of Wistar rats. The study corroborates promising potential of C. arvensis on the healing of wounds, which may be attributed to its antioxidant activity, fatty acids, quercetin, and gallic and caffeic acids. No human wound healing trials have been published.

5.6 Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity

Evidence grade: In vitro laboratory assays only.

A study conducted to evaluate the essential oils of Convolvulus arvensis (EOCA) assessed chemical composition by GC-MS. Antioxidant power was measured by DPPH, FRAP, and TAC assays. Evaluation of antimicrobial power was conducted against clinically important pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. pneumoniae, and S. aureus) and fungi (A. niger, C. albicans, and A. flavus) by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assays. EOCA exhibited important antioxidant effects, with IC₅₀ (DPPH) and EC₅₀ (FRAP) determined to be 30 µg/mL and 120 µg/mL, respectively. An excellent inhibition zone was recorded against all bacterial strains, particularly K. pneumoniae and S. aureus with MICs of 21.35 ± 0.76 mm and 28.62 ± 1.65 µg/mL, respectively. Important antifungal activity was also shown by EOCA against all fungal strains, with inhibition zone diameters against all fungal species ranging from 19.44 ± 1.10 to 20.41 ± 1.81 mm. All data are from in vitro assays and have not been confirmed in clinical studies.

5.7 Antioxidant Activity as a Food Preservative

Evidence grade: In vitro and food model studies.

The antioxidant activity of Convolvulus arvensis ethanol extract was evaluated by ABTS radical cation (1.62 mmol TE/g DW), ORAC (1.71 mmol TE/g DW), and FRAP (2.11 mmol TE/g DW) methods. The extract also exhibited scavenging activity against the methoxy radical initiated by the Fenton reaction measured by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). The antioxidant effects of lyophilized extract measured in beef patties containing 0.1% and 0.3% (w/w) C. arvensis stored in modified atmosphere packaging were also evaluated.

5.8 Laxative and Gastrointestinal Use

Evidence grade: Traditional use only; no controlled clinical evidence.

Field bindweed has been used in traditional medicine as a laxative. No scientific evidence supports this use. People try greater bindweed (Calystegia sepium) as a laxative to relieve constipation because it contains substances that can soften stools and increase gut muscle contractions, helping move stool through the digestive tract. Note: this mechanistic rationale concerns the alkaloid content of the raw plant and has not been validated through clinical trials for any bindweed species.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas of Association

Previous pharmacological studies revealed that Convolvulus arvensis possessed cytotoxic, antioxidant, vasorelaxant, immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, and diuretic effects in preclinical research. The following body systems are implicated:

• Cardiovascular / vascular system: Antiangiogenic properties mediated by PGM; vasorelaxant effects observed in animal models. Studies found that constituents increased vasodilation and circulatory function and lowered blood pressure in animals.
• Immune system: Immunostimulatory effects in animals include increasing total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and increasing serum lysosome activity.
• Gastrointestinal system: Traditional laxative, purgative, and antidiarrheal use; no clinical data available.
• Hepatic system: C. arvensis is reported to possess antioxidant, antiarthritic, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic activities in preclinical research.
• Integumentary system (skin): Topical traditional use for wounds, skin ulcers, boils, and inflammation; some rodent wound-model data available.
• Endocrine / metabolic: Reported hypoglycemic activity in preclinical studies; no human data.
• Musculoskeletal system: Traditional antiarthritic and anti-rheumatic use; antiarthritic activity noted in preclinical literature.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

As no human clinical trials have been published for bindweed supplements, all dosages below are derived from preclinical study protocols or commercial product labeling.

Preclinical (Animal) Study Dosages

• PGM significantly inhibited tumor growth in the mouse fibrosarcoma model at 250–1000 µg daily doses for 14 days.
• In the rodent hepatoprotection study, extract of C. arvensis was administered at doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg.
• Ointment formulations of 10% and 20% CaME (methanolic extract) were applied topically in the rat wound healing study.

In Vitro Study Concentrations

• In the chorioallantoic membrane assay, anti-angiogenic effects were observed at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 µg of PGM.
• Anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated in macrophage cell culture at the non-cytotoxic concentration of 50 µg/mL.

Commercial Supplement Dosages

• The suggested use for C-Statin is 2–6 capsules daily. Each serving of 2 capsules contains Convolvulus arvensis extract (leaves) at 1000 mg per serving.

No standardized clinical dosage has been established, as no controlled human trials have been conducted.

8. Safety Considerations and Interactions

Alkaloid Toxicity of Raw Plant Material

Bindweed from pasture was found to contain the tropane alkaloids tropine, pseudotropine, and tropinone, and the pyrrolidine alkaloids cuscohygrine and hygrine. Laboratory mice readily ate C. arvensis and exhibited a variety of abnormal clinical signs depending on the amount eaten.

The effects of feeding high and low doses of field bindweed to mice were investigated. Bindweed contains several alkaloids, including pseudotropine, and lesser amounts of tropine, tropinone, and meso-cuscohygrine. Mice fed bindweed exclusively died or were euthanized after 4–7 days and had severe hepatic necrosis and gastritis with ulceration or erosions. Mice fed low doses of bindweed along with standard laboratory mouse diet for 6 or 8 weeks had no clinical disease or gross lesions on necropsy examination, but did have histologic lesions of mild multifocal hepatitis and gastritis.

Total alkaloid content of C. arvensis was low, suggesting chronic exposure rather than acute toxicity as the primary concern.

Pseudotropine, the major alkaloid, is known to affect motility and might represent a causative agent for the observed cases of equine intestinal fibrosis. There is circumstantial evidence that horses eating bindweed over many weeks may develop a syndrome of chronic colic and weight loss attributable to intestinal fibrosis.

Alkaloid Removal in Supplements

Alkaloids from raw field bindweed are toxic to animals, but dietary supplements are alkaloid-free. The toxic alkaloids are removed from the bindweed by a proprietary process in commercial preparations such as AngioBlock.

Food Contamination with Tropane Alkaloids

A 2016 study by the European Food Safety Authority found that calystegines, a category of tropane alkaloids, naturally occur in several foods, including potatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Bell peppers were found to contain tropane alkaloids typical of the Convolvulaceae plant family. Many foods, even processed foods, were being contaminated with tropane alkaloids from weeds like Convolvulus arvensis.

Angiogenesis-Related Safety Signals

Because bindweed extracts may affect the growth of new blood vessels, they may also interfere with wound healing.

Persons having surgery should not use field bindweed extracts due to potential interference with wound healing. The same caution applies to those with a wound or injury that is healing. Infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women should avoid this product, as field bindweed extracts may prevent blood vessel growth, which is needed for fetal and child development.

Drug Interactions

Persons using drugs that inhibit blood vessel growth, such as bevacizumab, should be aware that field bindweed extract may increase the risk of adverse effects.

Pregnancy and Developmental Caution

Due to its potential to inhibit new blood vessel growth, C. arvensis should not be used before and after surgery, and infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women should also avoid this product.

Overall Evidence Context

Although lab studies suggest a leaf extract of Convolvulus arvensis may stop the growth of new blood vessels, this has not been studied in humans. The totality of clinical evidence for bindweed as a dietary supplement remains absent: all pharmacological findings are derived from in vitro cell culture systems, animal models, and limited patent-associated preclinical data. No randomized controlled trials, Phase I, II, or III studies have been published as of the date of this article.

References

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) Herb Monograph
• PubMed — "A study to investigate the biological activity of proteoglycan mixture extract from Convolvulus arvensis" (2014)
• PMC — "Dereplication and Quantification of Major Compounds of Convolvulus arvensis L. Extracts and Assessment of Their Effect on LPS-Activated J774 Macrophages"
• PMC — "Wound Healing Potential and In Silico Appraisal of Convolvulus arvensis L. Methanolic Extract" (2022)
• PMC — "Convolvulus arvensis: Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Properties of Chemically Profiled Essential Oils: An Approach against Nosocomial Infections"
• PMC / BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies — "Phytoconstituent analysis, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer effects of nano encapsulated Convolvulus arvensis L. extracts" (2024)
• PMC — "The Effect of Convolvulus arvensis Dried Extract as a Potential Antioxidant in Food Models"
• PubMed — "Tropane alkaloids and toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis" (Todd et al., Phytochemistry, 1995)
• PubMed — "Toxicity of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) to mice" (Vet Hum Toxicol, 1995)
• ScienceDirect — "Tropane alkaloids and toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis" (Phytochemistry, 1994)
• Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology — "Hepatoprotective potential of Convolvulus arvensis against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity" (2013)
• Phytotherapy Research — "Convolvulus plant—A comprehensive review from phytochemical composition to pharmacy" (2019)
• ResearchGate / IOSR Journal of Pharmacy — "The chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Convolvulus arvensis and Convolvulus scammonia — A review" (Al-Snafi, 2016)
• Riordan Clinic — "Effects of a High Molecular Mass Convolvulus arvensis Extract on Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis" (Meng et al., Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 2002)
• USPTO Patent 6,083,510 — "High molecular weight extracts of Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed)"
• University of Michigan CLIMBERS Database — Convolvulus arvensis Ethnobotany
• Colorado State University Guide to Poisonous Plants — Bindweed, wild morning glory
• BioMed Research International / Hindawi — "Wound Healing Potential and In Silico Appraisal of Convolvulus arvensis L. Methanolic Extract" (2022)