What is Gogo? gogo is a climbing vine found wild in warm climate forests where its bark, seeds and vines have variety of uses in traditional medicine….(more)

Gogo Herbal Preparation Gogo seeds are pounded and combined with oils to form paste for topical application…(more)

Scientific Name: Entada phaseoloides (Linn.) Merr. syn. E. scandens Benth. Family Fabaceae

Also knows as:
St. Thomas Bean, Gogo; Gugo; Matchbox Bean; Elva Climber, Go-go; Go-go Vine; Gogo Vine; Water Vine

Gogo (Entada phaseoloides), is a large woody vine (liana) that climbs high in forest canopy with thick stems that are usually twisted like a corkscrew reaching to as much as 18 centimeters wide. Gogo or gugo has rough pinkish to brown bark with bi-pinnately compound leaves. Gugo leaves are leathery and smooth in texture and are oblong or elliptical in shape about 2.5 to 5 centimeters in length.

Gogo or gugo flowers are about 2 to 3.5 millimeters wide and are arranged in a raceme with inflorescence that blooms from the bottom upward. The sepals are green to red color while the petals are green to yellowish cream color.

Gogo or gugo has large curved shaped pods that can grow up to 100 cm long and 13 cm wide. Each pod contains between 10 and 20 reddish brown seeds that are lens shaped and about 4 to 6 cm in diameter.

Gogo, gugo or its scientific name Entada Phaseoloides is not endemic to the Philippines. Entada Phaseoloides commonly grows wild in lowland forests near the sea or places that has mild to tropical climates. It can also be found in Africa, other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and in the Pacific islands.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Entada Phaseoloides. In a study done to establish the anti-inflammatory effect of entada phaseoloides pulp extract, it has been found that a paste prepared from powdered entada phaseoloides seed, when applied topically can improve the anti-inflammatory activity for induced arthritis in rats. (Dawane JS, Pandit VA, Rajopadhye BD. Experimental evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of topical application of entada phaseoloides seeds as paste and ointment . North Am J Med Sci . 2011; 3(11): 513-517. doi:10.4297/najms.2011.3513.)

Because of this effect, gogo, gugo or entada phaseoloides is traditionally used to treat various glandular inflammations that may include rheumatism, arthritis, sprains, joint and muscle pains, stomach pains and others.

Anti-diabetic Effects of Entada Phaseoloides. Entada Phaseoloides seed has long been used by Dai people, a small ethnic Chinese group for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. A study has been conducted in laboratory rats to verify its activity against diabetes by comparing its effects from a known diabetes drug. The study have a conclusive report that Entada Phaseoloides or gogo extract demonstrates hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity which supports its antidiabetic properties. 1

Gugo or Entada Phaseoloides contains saponins that in a study done on animals have a depressant effect on the respiratory system and inhibit the movements of unstriped muscles of the intestines and the uterus when

Saponins has also been established to have a strong haemolytic action on human red blood cells. Saponin extract from gogo bark when taken internally can dramatically reduce the blood pressure in animal studies.

Gogo contains entagenic acid which has antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. A glycoside of entagenic acid possesses anti- neoplastic activity.

Other traditional and medicinal application for gogo or entada phaseoloides

• Gogo powdered seeds are used to treat jaundice and edema due to malnutrition
• Gogo bark decoction is used to treat hair and scalp related problems such as dandruff and hair loss.
• Gogo bark decoction is used to wash wounds and ulcers.
• Gugo bark decoction is also used to wash away skin itch.
• Gogo seed extract is also used as emetic or to treat vomiting.

Gogo Ointment

Gogo seeds are harvested from January to April, dried, the skin removed and are pounded to pulp. Coconut oil, palm oil or other essential oils are added to make a paste. The paste is applied topically onto inflamed or affected area.

Gogo scalp and hair wash

To make a gogo scalp and hair shampoo, scrub together the fibers of a gogo bark sheet into a basin of water to create a foamy lather. Apply the gogo lather as a shampoo to hair then rinse with water.

Gogo seeds contain alkaloids that are known to be toxic or poisonous if taken in large amount. Gogo seeds are actually used as fish poison in some cultures. But the toxins can easily be removed by heat.

Pounded seeds are used as poultice or as ointments when mixed with water or other oils and are applied topically to affected areas.

The bark of gogo vine are used to wash hair by crreating a lather when rubbed to the hair and scalp.

Medical practioners would discourage the internal consumption of seed decoction of gogo seeds for children, pregnant and lactating women.

When used topically, there is no reported danger for use to children and pregnant womern.

Saponins found in the gogo decoctions from barks and leaves may cause eye irritation and conjunctivitis.

• Seeds of entada phaseoloides are used as body ornaments by some indegenious groups
• In South Africa, gogo seeds are used as coffee substitute
• Gogo seeds are also used as fish poison
• Wood from Entada phaseoloides are also used for tinder or in making match boxes.
• Oil extract from gogo seeds are used in lamps for illumination.
• Gogo bark are used to wash hair and scalp by creating a lather.

• ethyl 2,5-dihydroxy benzeneacetate (EP03),
• methyl 2,5-dihydroxybenzeneacetate(EP04),
• entadatin A(EP05),
• daucosterol(EP10),
• β-sitosterol(EP09),
• butyl 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-5-hydroxybenzeneacetate (EP11),
• 6-hydroxy-3,4-dimethylcoumarin(EP14),
• 5-hydroxybenzofuran-2(3H)-one(EP15),
• butyl 2,5-dihydroxybenzeneacetate (EP16), stigmasterol(EP18),
• entadamide A(EP19),
• methyl stearate(EP20),
• stearic acid(EP21),
• methyl 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-5-hydroxylbenzeneacetate (EP23)

Other Constituents

• saponin;
• alkaloid;
• sapogenin,
• oleanolic acid.
• fatty oil,
• alkaloids

Antidiabetic effects of Total Saponins of Entada Phaseoloides, T.Zheng, G. Shu, A. Yang, S. Mo, Y.Zhao, Z.Mei, College of Pharmacy, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan China www.scopemed.org/?mno=12330

Antidiabetic effect of total saponins from Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr. in type 2 diabetic rats. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22212505

PLANTS Profile for Entada phaseoloides (St. Thomas bean) | USDA .http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ENPH

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