CISTANCHE TUBULOSA EXTRACT (CTE)

What is cistanche tubulosa extract or CTE?

Cistanche tubulosa extract, or CTE, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that protects the gut [^[1]]. CTE comes from the cistanche tubulosa plant, a perennial parasitic herb found in the Chinese desert. Cistanche tubulosa is a bright yellow and beige desert plant that is parasitic in that it obtains all or part of its nutrition from other plants [^[2]].

What does cistanche tubulosa extract or CTE do in the body?

Over 120 bioactive ingredients have been found in cistanche tubulosa [^[3]]. CTE can have neuroprotective, immune function, antioxidant, anticancer, and liver protective effects. One study of CTE in mice found that, via restoring gut microbiota balance, CTE produced antidepressant-like effects and elevated the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a significant growth factor in healthy brain function [^[4]].

How can cistanche tubulosa extract or CTE help alleviate certain Long COVID symptoms and/or pathophysiology?

A compound isolated from cistanche tubulosa called echinacoside was found to stimulate the production of immune cells called T cells, which attack foreign particles in the body [^[3]]. It was also found to boost levels of growth hormone. Hormonal insufficiencies are an aspect of Long COVID. Growth hormone deficiency, in particular, is linked to fatigue in Long COVID patients [^[3], ^[5]]. Cistanche tubulosa’s many immune-supporting, neuroprotective, anticancer, and liver-protective effects can also potentially help improve cognitive symptoms and reduce inflammation in long COVID patients dealing with those issues.