- How It Works
- Purported Uses
- Research Evidence
- Patient Warnings
- Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
Common Name
LAPd, lipoic acid-palladium complex
Brand Name
PolyMVA, POLYDOX
Clinical Summary
Polydox is a synthetic product containing lipoic acid-palladium complex and B complex vitamins. Patients use it to treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, psoriasis, and other degenerative disorders. Studies done in mice indicate that Polydox has neuroprotective (3), radioproctective (4), and antioxidant (5) (6) properties.
This product has not been evaluated in clinical trials.
Purported Uses
- Asthma
- Cancer treatment
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- HIV and AIDS
- Psoriasis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Constituents
- Lipoic acid complexed with palladium
- Vitamins: B12, B-complex
(1)
Mechanism of Action
The inventor claims that Polydox is a ‘metalo-vitamin’ with antioxidant activity capable of repairing damaged genes. Polydox is said to have DNA reductase and ‘electro-active’ properties that alter electron flow in cancer cells at the mitochondrial level, resulting in cytotoxicity. The manufacturer reports benefits for cancer patients such as increases in energy and appetite, reduction in cancer-related pain. However, no independent scientific data support these claims. Strong antioxidant activity may interfere with the actions of certain chemotherapeutic agents.
(1) (2)
Pharmacokinetics
The manufacturer claims that Polydox distributes throughout the body to all sites, including adipose tissue and the central nervous system. No formal pharmacokinetics studies have been performed.
(1)
Adverse Reactions
Unknown
Herb-Drug Interactions
Polydox’s antioxidant activity may interfere with the actions of certain chemotherapeutic agents.
Literature Summary and Critique
Human studies have not been conducted.
References
- Polymva. American Medicine and Research Center web site. Available at http://www.polymva.com. Accessed February 23, 2011.
- Garnett M. Palladium complexes and methods for using same in the treatment of tumors. Garnett McKeen Laboratory, Inc. US Patent #5,679,697. October 21, 1997.
- Antonawich FJ, Fiore SM, Welicky LM. Regulation of ischemic cell death by the lipoic acid-palladium complex, Poly MVA, in gerbils. Exp Neurol.2004 Sep;189(1):10-5.
- Ramachandran L, Krishnan CV, Nair CK. Radioprotection by alpha-lipoic acid palladium complex formulation (POLY-MVA) in mice. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2010 Aug;25(4):395-9.
- Sudheesh NP, Ajith TA, Janardhanan KK, Krishnan CV. Palladium alpha-lipoic acid complex formulation enhances activities of Krebs cycle dehydrogenases and respiratory complexes I-IV in the heart of aged rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2009;47(8):2124-8.
- Sudheesh NP, Ajith TA, Janardhanan KK, Krishnan CV. Effect of POLY-MVA, a palladium alpha-lipoic acid complex formulation against declined mitochondrial antioxidant status in the myocardium of aged rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010;48(7):1858-62.
How It Works
Bottom Line: Polydox (PolyMVA) has not been shown to treat or prevent cancer, lupus, asthma, HIV, or any other medical condition.
Polydox is a product that contains lipoic acid, acetyl cysteine, palladium, B vitamins, and other ingredients. The inventor and promoters of Polydox make many claims for this product that are not supported by any scientific evidence. Some of the components of Polydox are antioxidants (alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl cysteine).
Purported Uses
- To treat asthma
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat cancer
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat chronic fatigue syndrome
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat HIV and AIDS
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat psoriasis
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
No scientific evidence supports this use.
Research Evidence
Clinical trials have not been conducted to determine the safety or effectiveness of Polydox for any of the proposed uses.
Patient Warnings
- This product is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
This field is only visible to only Inside MSKCC users.
Aliases
PolyMVA
E-mail your questions and comments to aboutherbs@mskcc.org.
