Research Update:Tree Poeny Bark.Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.Paeonol.

  seminal trace...Tree Peony Bark Extract.10:1.Cortex Moutan.Tree Peony Root-bark Extract.paeonol, C9H10O3;paeoniflorin,C23H28O11;benzoyl-paeoniflorin,C30H22O12,etc...

 


   Phytochemical info of Tree Poeny Bark.Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.

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 Definition:Tree Poeny Bark.Paeonia suffruticosa Andr are majorly composed of
 Chemical information disclosed as following table:


   Research Update:Tree Poeny Bark.Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.Paeonol.

  Clustering analysis of HPLC chromatographic fingerprints of Paeonia suffruticosa.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2007 Jun;32(11):1054-6. Chinese.Wu MZ, He Y, Tang LY, Wang ZJ.Sir Sun Sun Shaw Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To explore the utility of chromatographic data for quality control of Paeonia suffruticosa, a Chinese herbal medicine. METHOD: Chromatographic fingerprints of Paeonia suffruticosa were determined by HPLC, the clustering analysis was used for data processing. RESULT: The quantitative differences among different growing areas were found and could be used to classify herbals from different growing areas, while there seemed to be no quantitative differences for processing factor. CONCLUSION: The method could be used in quality control for monitoring herbal quality control, and the result also suggested that different growing areas may greatly affected the herbal qualities.

  Pharmacological investigations of the anti-diabetic effect of Cortex Moutan and its active component paeonol.:Phytomedicine. 2007 Feb 11;Lau CH, Chan CM, Chan YW, Lau KM, Lau TW, Lam FC, Law WT, Che CT, Leung PC, Fung KP, Ho YY, Lau CB.Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New territories, Hong Kong, China.

 Cortex Moutan (CM, root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is one of the common herbs found in anti-diabetic traditional Chinese medicine formulae. To study the potential anti-diabetic mechanisms of CM, four in vitro models (intestinal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV), rat hepatoma cell line H4IIE, human skin fibroblasts cell line Hs68 and mouse adipocytes 3T3-L1) were used. CM showed significant in vitro anti-diabetic effects by inhibiting glucose uptake of BBMV and enhancing glucose uptake into Hs68 and 3T3-L1 cells. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, paeonol was confirmed to be one of the active constituents for inhibiting BBMV glucose uptake. With neonatal-streptozotocin diabetic rats, paeonol (200 and 400mg/kgbody wt.) was found to improve oral glucose tolerance in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-diabetic effect of paeonol.

  Study on chemical constituents of bark of Paeonia suffruticosa.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Nov;31(21):1793-5. Chinese.Hu HY, Yang Y, Yu NJ, Zhao YM.Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing 100850, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the bark of Paeonia suffruticosa. METHOD: The 95% ethanol extract was re-extracted with EtOAc, and then separated and purified by column chromatography using silica gel, Sephadex LH -20 and RP-18 as packing materials. The structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and physico-chemical characters. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as (+)-catechin (1), paeonidanin (2), paeoniflorigenone (3), 2, 5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (4), paeonol (5), gallic acid (6). CONCLUSION: The compound 1 was isolsted from the genus Paeonia for the first time. The compounds 2, 3 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

  A new monoterpene glycoside and antibacterial monoterpene glycosides from Paeonia suffruticosa.:Arch Pharm Res. 2006 Oct;29(10):815-20.An RB, Kim HC, Lee SH, Jeong GS, Sohn DH, Park H, Kwon DY, Lee JH, Kim YC.College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan 570-749, Korea.

 Antibacterial activity-guided fractionation of the CHCI3-MeOH (1:1) extract of Paeonia suffruticosa root bark furnished three monoterpene glycosides, 6-O-vanillyoxypaeoniflorin (1), mudanpioside-H (2), and galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin (3). Of the isolated compounds, compound 1 is a new compound. All isolated compounds showed broad, but moderate, antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 100 to 500 microg/mL against eighteen pathogenic microorganisms of concern for public health or zoonosis.

  Characterization of compounds in the Chinese herbal drug Mu-Dan-Pi by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.:Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2006;20(22):3275-88.Xu SJ, Yang L, Zeng X, Zhang M, Wang ZT.Department of Pharmacognosy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210038, PR China.

 Cortex Moutan is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine derived from Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS. However, root cortices of P. delavayi and P. decomposita also are used under the name of this drug in some regions such as Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, respectively. In order to make a comparison of their chemical constituents, the compounds of the three Paeonia species were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection/electrospray ionization and quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS2). A total of 50 compounds were observed in the 50% (v/v) methanolic extracts, including 17 monoterpenes, 14 galloyl glucoses, 10 acetophenones, 5 phenolic acids, 3 flavonoids and 1 triterpene. These chemical constituents were separated on a C18 column and identified or tentatively characterized based on UV spectra and MS fragmentation behavior. The chemical compositions of the three Paeonia species were found to have many differences. Paeonol was the predominant constituent of P. suffruticosa and P. decomposita, while P. delavayi contained albiflorin and more galloyl glucoses than the other two Paeonia species. Most of these identified compounds have been reported from P. delavayi and P. decomposita for the first time. The ESI-MS fragmentation behavior of monoterpene glycosides, acetophenones and galloyl glucoses was also investigated successively, and appropriate characteristic pathways were proposed. The large differences in chemical compounds among the three Paeonia species strongly encouraged further comparison of the bioactivities of these three species.


  Antihyperglycemic activity of herb extracts on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2006 Oct;70(10):2556-9. Epub 2006 Oct 7.Jung CH, Zhou S, Ding GX, Kim JH, Hong MH, Shin YC, Kim GJ, Ko SG.Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyunghee University, South Korea.

 We investigated the effects of herb extracts, Rhus verniciflua, Agrimonia pilosa, Sophora japonica, and Paeonia suffruticosa, on the lowering of blood glucose levels and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, oral administration of Rhus verniciflua extract (50 mg/kg) exhibited a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (P<0.05). Blood TBARS concentrations, the products of glucose oxidation in blood, were also lowered by Rhus verniciflua extract supplementation. In addition, Sophora japonica and Paeonia suffruticosa extracts significantly reduced TBARS levels versus diabetic controls. Serum concentrations of liver-function marker enzymes, GOT and GPT, were also restored by Rhus verniciflua (50 mg/kg) supplementation in diabetic rats.

   Acaricidal activities of paeonol and benzoic acid from Paeonia suffruticosa root bark and monoterpenoids against Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae).:Pest Manag Sci. 2006 Jun;62(6):551-7.Tak JH, Kim HK, Lee SH, Ahn YJ.School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea.

 The acaricidal activities of paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone) and benzoic acid identified in the root bark of tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, against copra mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), adults were examined using direct contact and vapour phase toxicity bioassays and compared with those of cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol and 37 monoterpenoids as well as the acaricides benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Based on LD(50) values in fabric piece contact toxicity bioassays, the acaricidal activities of benzoic acid (4.80 microg cm(-2)) and paeonol (5.29 microg cm(-2)) were comparable to that of benzyl benzoate (4.46 microg cm(-2)) but more pronounced than those of DEET (30.03 microg cm(-2)) and dibutyl phthalate (25.23 microg cm(-2)). In vapour phase toxicity bioassays, paeonol and benzoic acid were much more effective in closed containers than in open ones, indicating that the effects of these compounds were largely due to action in the vapour phase. As judged by 24 h LD(50) values, (1S)-(-)-verbenone (7.42 mg per disc) was the most toxic fumigant, followed by (1S)-(-)-camphor, (S)-(+)-carvone, (R)-(-)-linalool and (+/-)-camphor (10.45-18.18 mg). Potent fumigant toxicity was also observed with paeonol, (2S,5R)-(-)-menthone, (+/-)-citronellal, benzoic acid, (1S,4R)-(-)-alpha-thujone and (R)-(+)-pulegone (25.10-34.63 mg). Neither benzyl benzoate, DEET nor dibutyl phthalate caused fumigant toxicity. Paeonia root bark-derived materials, particularly paeonol and benzoic acid, as well as the monoterpenoids described, merit further study as potential acaricides or as leads for the control of T. putrescentiae.

  Herbal formulation, Yukmi-jihang-tang-Jahage, regulates bone resorption by inhibition of phosphorylation mediated by tyrosine kinase Src and cyclooxygenase expression.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jul 19;106(3):333-43. Epub 2006 Mar 2.Jin UH, Kim DI, Lee TK, Lee DN, Kim JK, Lee IS, Kim CH.Department of Biological Science, Sungkyunkwan University and National Research Laboratory for Glycobiology, Jangan-Gu, Suwon City, Kyunggi-Do 440-746, Republic of Korea.

 Anti-bone resorption properties of the Korean herbal medicine, Yukmi-jihang-tang (YJ), which is comprised of seven herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, Dioscorea japonica THUNB, Cornus officinalis SIEB et. ZUCC, Smilax glabra ROXB, Paeonia suffruticosa ANDR, Alisma platago-aquatica var. orientale SAMUELS and Hominis placenta, were investigated. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tyrosine kinase involve on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in mouse calvarial osteoblasts stimulated by cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-1beta and IL-6 and to a lesser extent TNF-alpha, enhanced COX-2 mRNA levels in calvarial osteoblasts. TGF-beta, YJ (100microg/ml) and their combinations of YJ+TGF-beta reduced the COX-2 mRNA level, PGE2 biosynthesis and bone resorption induced by IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 or their combination. Finally, YJ inhibits in vitro and in vivo bone resorption by inhibition of phosphorylation of peptide substrates. The parathyroid hormone-induced bone resorption in mouse fetal long bone cultures was inhibited with an IC(50) of 16microg/ml. YJ dose-dependently reduced the hypercalcemia induced in mice by IL-1beta and partly prevented bone loss and microarchitectural changes in young ovariectomized rats, showing that the protective effect on bone was exerted via the inhibition of bone resorption. These results indicate that the synergy between IL-beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 on PGE2 production is due to an enhanced gene expression of COX-2 and that tyrosine kinase(s) are involved in the signal transduction of COX-2 in mouse calvarial osteoblasts. Thus, YJ as a possible Src family kinase inhibitor may be useful for the treatment of diseases associated with elevated bone loss. This result also suggested that the YJ extracts is effective for bone resorptive action in bone cells.

  Suppressive effects of JCICM-6, the extract of an anti-arthritic herbal formula, on the experimental inflammatory and nociceptive models in rodents.:Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Feb;29(2):253-60.Zhou H, Wong YF, Cai X, Liu ZQ, Jiang ZH, Bian ZX, Xu HX, Liu L.School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.

 JCICM-6, the extract of an anti-arthritic herbal formula composed of medicinal herbs of Sinomenium acutum, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX., Curcuma Longa L., Paeonia lactiflora PALL., and Paeonia suffruticosa ANDR., was examined in the effectiveness and mechanism in reducing experimentally-induced inflammation and nociception using nine animal models. JCICM-6 was extracted from herbs and purified with Amberlite XAD-7HP adsorbent resin and analyzed with HPLC-fingerprint for quality consistency. In acute inflammatory models, the paw edema of rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan or pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) into the right hind paws of animals; while the ear edema of mice was induced by applying arachidonic acid or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on the ear surface. In nociceptive models, the tail-flick response induced by radiant heat stimulation was measured and the numbers of abdominal writhing episodes of mice induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid were recorded. JCICM-6 orally administered in a range of dosages from 0.438 g to 1.75 g/kg significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the paw edema of rats induced by carrageenan or various pro-inflammatory mediators and the ear edema of mice induced by arachidonic acid or TPA. JCICM-6 also significantly prolonged the reaction time of rats to radiant heat stimulation and reduced the numbers of writhing episodes of mice. These results indicated that JCICM-6 possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which implies that it would be a potential candidate for further investigation as a new anti-arthritic botanical drug for humans.

  Paeonol reduced cerebral infarction involving the superoxide anion and microglia activation in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jun 30;106(2):208-15. Epub 2006 Feb 3.Hsieh CL, Cheng CY, Tsai TH, Lin IH, Liu CH, Chiang SY, Lin JG, Lao CJ, Tang NY.Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan.

 Both Moutan cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (MC) and the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall (PL) are important Traditional Chinese herbs used commonly to treat inflammatory and pyretic disorders. Paeonol, a common component of MC causes anti-platelet aggregation and scavenges free radicals. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Paeonol on cerebral infarct. A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were studied. An animal model of cerebral infarct was established by occluding both common carotid arteries and the right middle cerebral artery for 90 min, followed by a 24 h period of reperfusion. The percentage of cerebral infarction area to total brain area in each piece of brain tissue, and neuro-deficit score were measured. Superoxide anion was determined by the number of lucigenin-chemiluminescence (CL) counts. ED1 (mouse anti rat CD68) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) immunostaining in the cerebral infarction region were also investigated for activation of microglia. The results indicated that Paeonol 15 and 20 mg/kg pretreatment and 20 mg posttreatment reduced the cerebral infarction area; Paeonol 15 and 20 mg/kg pretreatment reduced the neuro-deficit score. In addition, Paeonol 20 mg/kg pretreatment reduced the lucigenin-CL counts at 2 h period of reperfusion. The number of ED1 and IL-1beta immunoreactive cells also reduced in the cerebral infarction region; there were no significant changes in blood sugar levels. The results show that Paeonol reduced cerebral infarct and neuro-deficit in rat, suggesting Paeonol might play a similar role in reducing cerebral infarction in humans. Paeonol suppresses and scavenges superoxide anion, and inhibit microglia activation and IL-1beta in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.


  Development of microwave-assisted extraction followed by headspace single-drop microextraction for fast determination of paeonol in traditional Chinese medicines.:J Chromatogr A. 2006 Jan 20;1103(1):15-21. Epub 2005 Nov 23.Deng C, Yao N, Wang B, Zhang X.Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

 Paeonol is an important active component present in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which was used for the treatment of many diseases such as eczema. In this work, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was firstly combined with headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME), and applied to rapid determination of paeonol in two TCMs of Cynanchum paniculatum and Paeonia suffruticosa. In the proposed method, paeonol in TCMs was isolated by using MAE, followed by extraction and concentration by HS-SDME, and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The experiment parameters of MAE and HS-SDME were discussed, and the method precision, recovery and detection limit were also studied. To further demonstrate the reliability of the quantification, both the proposed method and a standard method of steam distillation (SD) were simultaneously applied to quantitative analysis of paeonol in TCM samples from different growing areas. The experimental results show that MAE-HS-SDME is a simple and rapid method for the quantitative analysis of paeonol in TCMs, and is also a potential and alternative tool for quality monitoring for the two TCMs of C. paniculatum and P. suffruticosa.

  Determination of three bioactive constituents in moutan cortex by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.:Anal Sci. 2005 Oct;21(10):1161-5. Chen G, Zhang L, Yang P.Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. gangchen@fudan.edu.cn

 Capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection has been employed for the separation and determination of the three active constituents (paeonol, benzoyloxypaeoniflorin, and oxypaeoniflorin) in traditional Chinese medicine, Moutan Cortex (root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews). The effects of several important factors, such as the concentration of running buffer, the separation voltage, the injection time, and the detection potential, were investigated to determine the optimum conditions. The detection electrode was a 300 microm diameter carbon-disc electrode at a working potential of +0.90 V (versus SCE). The three analytes could be well separated within 7 min in a 40 cm length fused-silica capillary at a separation voltage of 12 kV in a 50 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2). The relation between the peak current and the analyte concentration was linear over 3 orders of magnitude with detection limits (S/N = 3) ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 microM for all analytes. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of paeonol, benzoyloxypaeoniflorin, and oxypaeoniflorin in real plant samples with satisfactory assay results.

  Vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects of the 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) via a nitric oxide-cGMP pathway.:Eur J Pharmacol. 2005 Nov 7;524(1-3):111-9. Epub 2005 Oct 25.Kang DG, Moon MK, Choi DH, Lee JK, Kwon TO, Lee HS.Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.

 Vasorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of a 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose (PGG) isolated from the root barks of Paeonia suffruticosa and possible mechanisms responsible were investigated. PGG induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the phenylephrine-precontracted rat aorta. This effect disappeared with the removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the aortic tissues with either N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by PGG. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or carotid arteries isolated from rats with PGG increased the production of cGMP in a dose-dependent manner, but this effect was blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME and ODQ, respectively. PGG treatment attenuated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 translocation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, PGG suppressed the expression levels of adhesion molecules including intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) induced by TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression was also attenuated by addition of PGG. PGG treatment inhibited cellular adhesion of U937 cells onto human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by TNF-alpha. Taken together, the present study suggests that PGG dilates vascular smooth muscle and suppresses the vascular inflammatory process via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling.

  Determination of two main components in bark of Paeonia suffruticosa by HPLC.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;30(16):1265-8. Chinese.Tian YZ, Wang Y, Liu JZ, Yang BB, Shi JG, Wang MZ.Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Befiing 100050, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To establish a HPLC method for determination two constituents in bark of Paeonia Suffuticosa. METHOD: The reversed phase HPLC system consisting of an Alltima ODS column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) and a mixture of water-THF-methanol-HAc (60:20:20:0.05) as the mobile phase was used. The flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1) and UV detection was set at 274 nm. RESULT: The assay displayed good linearity over the concentration ranges of 0.06-1.0 microg (r = 0.999 9, gallic acid) and 0.16-2.58 microg (r = 0.999 9, paeonol) respectively. The average recoveries (n = 9) of gallic acid and paeonol were 98.6% (RSD = 3.0%), 98.2% (RSD = 2.5%), respectively. The samples were extracted with methanol for 24 h bu maceration. CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate and can be used for the quality study of bark of P. suffruticosa.

  A new paeoniflorin derivative isolated from the root bark ethanol extract of Paeonia suffruticosa.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 May;30(10):759-61. Chinese.Wang SJ, Yang YC, Li S, Shi JG.Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical University and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100050, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of paeoniflorins from root cortex of the Paeonia suffruticosa. METHOD: Paeoniflorins were isolated by partition, silica gel column chromatography, medium-pressure RP chromatography and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including IR, MS and NMR techniques. RESULT: Nine paeoniflorins were isolated and identified from the root bark ethanol extract of P. suffruticosa. CONCLUSION: The new compound was identified as paeoniflorin-4-ethyl ether, which may be an artifact produced during extraction proved by simulate experiment.


  Studies on the optimized extraction technology of Paeonia suffruticosa.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Apr;30(8):569-71. Chinese.Wang L, Hou SX, Hu P, Zhang JF, Liu QG.West China School of Phamnacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To obtain the optimized extraction technology of Paeonia suffruticosa by comparing several extraction method. METHOD: Extract P. suffruticosa by ethanol circumfluence, distillation-decoction, CO2-SFE and traditional decoction, and analyse the results according to the total extraction rate, extraction rate of paeono, extraction of other ingredients and production feasibility. RESULT: Total extraction rates of which are 12.66%, 13.51%, 7.28%, 7.56% respectively; extraction rates of paeonol are 2.45%, 2.26%, 0.31%, 1.15% in turn; Phenolic glycosides can be extracted by ethanol circumfluence, distillation-decoction, traditional decoction, but not by CO2-SFE. CONCLUSION: Distillation-decoction is the most proper extraction technology of P. suffuticosa at present.

  Isolation and purification of four flavonoid constituents from the flowers of Paeonia suffruticosa by high-speed counter-current chromatography.:J Chromatogr A. 2005 May 20;1075(1-2):127-31.Wang X, Cheng C, Sun Q, Li F, Liu J, Zheng C.Test Center, Shandong Academy of Sciences, 19 Keyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China.

 Four flavonoids, apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and kaempferol-7-O-glucoside have been isolated and purified for the first time from the flowers of Paeonia suffruticosa by high-speed counter-current chromatography with a two-phase solvent system composed of ethyl acetate-ethanol-acetic acid-water (4:1:0.25:5, v/v). Then, 5 mg apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside, 4 mg luteolin-7-O-glucoside, 9 mg apigenin-7-O-glucoside and 2.5 mg kaempferol-7-O-glucoside could be obtained after injecting 40 mg sample and their purities were 94, 97, 97 and 96%, respectively. All these constituents were identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance.

  Acaricidal activity of Paeonia suffruticosa root bark-derived compounds against Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae).:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):7857-61.Kim HK, Tak JH, Ahn YJ.School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.

 The acaricidal activities of materials derived from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa against adults of Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were examined using direct contact and fumigation bioassays and compared with those of benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet), widely used acaricides. The active constituents of Paeonia root bark were identified as paeonol and benzoic acid by spectroscopic analyses. On the basis of 24-h LD50 values, the acaricidal activities of paeonol (7.82 microg/cm3) and benzoic acid (6.58 microg/cm3) against adult D. farinae were comparable to that of benzyl benzoate (7.72 microg/cm3) but higher than those of deet (36.34 microg/cm3) and dibutyl phthalate (33.92 microg/cm3). Against adult D. pteronyssinus, the acaricidal activities of paeonol (7.08 microg/cm3) and benzyl benzoate (7.22 microg/cm3) were comparable to that of benzyl benzoate (7.14 microg/cm3). Deet and dibutyl phthalate were less effective. In fumigation tests with both mite species, paeonol and benzoic acid were much more effective in closed containers than open ones, indicating that the effect of these compounds was largely a result of action in the vapor phase. Neither benzyl benzoate, deet, nor dibutyl phthalate exhibited fumigant toxicity. Paeonia root bark-derived materials, particularly paeonol and benzoic acid, merit further study as potential acaricides or lead compounds for the control of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus.

  Protective constituents against sepsis in mice from the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa.:Arch Pharm Res. 2004 Nov;27(11):1123-6.Li G, Seo CS, Lee KS, Kim HJ, Chang HW, Jung JS, Song DK, Son JK.College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, P R China.

 The bioassay-guided fractionation of protective agents against sepsis-induced lethality from the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS (Ranunculaceae) led to the isolation of eight known compounds: paeonol (1), 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (2), acetovanillone (3), paeonoside (4), paeoniflorin (5), oxypaeoniflorin (6), apiopaeonoside (7), and methyl 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoate (8). Among them, 3 showed the highest survival rate (100% with a dose of 30 mg/kg versus 17% for the control experiment) and reduced alanine aminotransferase level to be a half of the control value on the sepsis model induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine.

  Repellency of aromatic medicinal plant extracts and a steam distillate to Aedes aegypti.:J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2004 Jun;20(2):146-9.Yang YC, Lee EH, Lee HS, Lee DK, Ahn YJ.Department of Advanced Organic Materials Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Chonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.

 The repellent activity of methanol extracts from 23 aromatic medicinal plant species and a steam distillate against female blood-starved Aedes aegypti was examined in the laboratory by skin test and compared with that of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet). Responses varied according to plant species. At a dose of 0.1 mg/cm2, the repellency of extracts of Cinnamomum cassia bark (91%), Nardostachys chinensis rhizome (81%), Paeonia suffruticosa root bark (80%), and Cinnamomum camphora steam distillate (94%) was comparable to deet (82%). The duration of the effectiveness for extracts from C. cassia bark and N. chinensis rhizome was comparable to deet and lasted for approximately 1 h. Relatively short duration of repellency was observed in P. suffruticosa root bark extract and C. camphora steam distillate. The plants described merit further study as potential mosquito repellent agents.


  Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose inhibits phorbol myristate acetate-induced interleukin-8 [correction of intereukin-8] gene expression in human monocytic U937 cells through its inactivation of nuclear factor-kappaB.:Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Mar;4(3):377-86.Oh GS, Pae HO, Choi BM, Lee HS, Kim IK, Yun YG, Kim JD, Chung HT.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, 344-2 Shinyong-Dong, Iksan-Shi, Chonbuk 570-749, South Korea.

 We investigated the effects of the gallotannin penta-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose (PGG) on interleukin (IL)-8 gene expression and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation. PGG inhibited IL-8 production and gene expression in human monocytic U937 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. PGG also inhibited PMA-mediated NF-kappaB activation, as measured by electromobility shift assay. Furthermore, PGG prevented PMA-mediated degradation of the NF-kappaB inhibitory protein I-kappaBalpha, as measured by Western blot analysis. PGG also inhibited both IL-8 production and NF-kappaB activation in the U937 cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These results suggest that PGG, a major constituent of the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS, can inhibit IL-8 gene expression by a mechanism involving its inhibition of NF-kappaB activation, which is dependent on I-kappaBalpha degradation.

  Experiment on extraction, sulfonate of paeonol and its antibiotic effect on plant pathogen.:Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 Nov;26(11):778-80. Chinese.Wu X, Wu G, Zhang W, Gu G, Sha S, Wang X.College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097.

 Paeonol contents in root barks, cores, stems and leaves of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. from Nanling county, Anhui province were determined and paeonol was extracted with alcohol, acid alcohol and alkali alcohol. Sodium paeonol sulfonate was synthesized by treating paeonol with concentrated sulfuric acid and oleums, and its physicochemical properties were surveyed by HPLC, TLC, FTIR and UV. Antibiotic experiment on plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria showed that paeonol and sodium paeonol sulfonate had remarkably inhibitive effects on Xanthmonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, Pseudomonas solanacearum, Phyllosticta mali and Rhizoctonia solani. Paeonol and sodium paeonol sulfonate had antibiotic effect on maize sheath blight.

  Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 activity by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose in murine macrophage cells.:Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Oct;26(10):832-9.Lee SJ, Lee IS, Mar W.Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-460, Korea.

 Activated macrophages express inducible isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and produce excessive amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which play key roles in the processes of inflammation and carcinogenesis. The root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., are important Chinese crude drugs used in many traditional prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) is a major bioactive constituent of both crude drugs. PGG has been shown to possess potent anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. on the COX-2 and iNOS activity in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells, COX-1 in HEL cells. To investigate the structure-activity relationships of gallate and gallic acid for the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 activity, we also examined (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallic acid, and gallacetophenone. The results of the present study indicated that PGG, EGCG, and gallacetophenone treatment except gallic acid significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production in LPS-activated macrophages. All of the four compounds significantly inhibited COX-2 activity in LPS-activated macrophages. Among the four compounds examined, PGG revealed the most potent in both iNOS (IC50 approximately 18 microg/mL) and COX-2 inhibitory activity (PGE2: IC50 approximately 8 microg/mL and PGD2: IC50 approximately 12 microg/mL), respectively. Although further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and structure-activity relationship by which PGG exerts its inhibitory actions, our results suggest that PGG might be a candidate for developing anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents.

  Research on the quality of original plants and material medicine of Cortex Paeoniae.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2002 Sep;27(9):654-7. Chinese.Guo BL, Basang D, Xiao PG, Hong DY.Institute of Medicinal Plant, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100094, China. blguo@btamail.net.cn

 OBJECTIVE: To study the contents of main chemical compounds, such as, paeonol, paeoniflorin and their similar compounds in structure in Paeonia ostii and P. suffruticosa, and to find their quality difference. METHOD: HPLC was used. The contents of paeoniflorin and paeonol in 9 collected samples, 5 from P. ostii and 4 from P. suffruticosa, and 6 herb samples bought from different areas were analyzed. The rough contents of 3 paeonol similar compounds and 2 paeoniflorin similar compounds were investigated. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: 1. There is no obvious difference in the contents of paeonol and paeonoflorin and the constitution of other main compounds between P. ostii and P. suffruticosa. Since they belong to different botanic species, it is suggested that both P. ostii and P. suffruticosa should be recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia as the origin of Cortex Paeoniae. 2. The glucosides of paeonol might change to paeonol in the course of the collecting and processing of the herb. Therefore when the contents of paeonol is used as the standard to evaluate the quality of the material and patent medicine, the attention should be paid to the transformation mentioned above.

  Screening of medicinal plant extracts for antioxidant activity.:Life Sci. 2003 May 30;73(2):167-79.Lee SE, Hwang HJ, Ha JS, Jeong HS, Kim JH.Department of Biochemistry, College of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemoon-Ku, Seoul 130-701, South Korea.

 The methanol extracts of nine medicinal plants traditionally used in Chinese medicine were screened for antioxidant activity versus resveratrol, which has been shown to protect cells from oxidative damage [Toxicol. Lett. 102 (1998) 5]. Most of the plant extracts used in this study inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells. The extracts of Areca catechu var. dulcissima, Paeonia suffruticosa, Alpinia officinarum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Cinnamomun cassia strongly enhanced viability against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in V79-4 cells. Relatively high levels of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were detected in extracts of Areca catechu var. dulcissima, Paeonia suffruticosa and Cinnamomun cassia (IC(50) < 6.0 microg/ml). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were dose-dependently enhanced in V79-4 cells treated with most of the plant extracts. The extracts of Areca catechu var. dulcissima showed higher antioxidant activity than resveratrol in all experiments. These results suggest that the plant extracts prevent oxidative damage in normal cells probably because of their antioxidant characteristics.


  Insecticides in Chinese medicinal plants: survey leading to jacaranone, a neurotoxicant and glutathione-reactive quinol.:J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Apr 23;51(9):2544-7.Xu H, Zhang N, Casida JE.Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3112, USA.

 Sixty-two plant species from central China were purported to have insecticidal activity. Adult house fly (Musca domestica) toxicity assays were used to identify the two most active plants and guide the chromatographic isolation of the insecticidal components. The active ingredient of Senecio palmatusPall. (Asteraceae) was characterized as methyl (1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl)acetate (jacaranone) (1), previously known to have insect antifeedant activity. Mono- and bisglutathione (GSH) adducts are formed on incubation of 1 with GSH and rat liver GSH S-transferase. The toxic action of 1 in mice (intraperitoneal LD(50) = 150-200 mg/kg) is associated with both neurological signs and GSH depletion in liver 90 min after treatment. Paeonia suffruticosa var. papaveracea (Andr.) Kerner (Paeoniaceae) was the other active plant found here to have 2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone (paeonol) (2) as an insecticidal ingredient in the root and in one case, for the whole plant, contaminated with S-tert-butylthiomethyl O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate (terbufos) (3), a synthetic anticholinesterase insecticide.

  Study on the extraction method and the opimun factor for Paeonia suffruticosa.:Zhong Yao Cai. 1998 Jan;21(1):34-6. Chinese.Di L, Xie H, Fan B, Mao C.Nanjing University of TCM, Nanjing, 210029.

 The optimun extraction process were selected from three extraction methods according to the content of paeonol and it UV characters. Futhermore, the conditions of extraction process selected were studied with orthogonal test. The result showed that the yield of paeonol is 73.7%, RSD 2.93% (n = 3).

  Inhibitory effects of the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa on interleukin-8 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 secretions in U937 cells.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Jan;84(1):85-9.Oh GS, Pae HO, Choi BM, Jeong S, Oh H, Oh CS, Rho YD, Kim DH, Shin MK, Chung HT.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medicinal Resources Research Center of Wonkwang University, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, 344-2 Shinyong-Dong, Iksan-Shi, Chonbuk 570-749, South Korea.

 In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of mudanpi, the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (Ranunculaceae), we determined the effects of the methanolic extract of mudanpi (MEM) on the secretions of interleukin (IL)-8, a major mediator of acute neutrophil-mediated inflammation, and macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, a major mediator of chronic macrophage-mediated inflammation, in human monocytic U937 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). MEM significantly inhibited PMA-induced secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 proteins in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of these chemokines by MEM was due to its suppression of IL-8 and MCP-1 genes. In addition, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, one of major constituents isolated from MEM, inhibited PMA-induced secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 proteins by its suppression of IL-8 and MCP-1 genes. Thus, one possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of mudanpi, an anti-inflammatory Chinese crude drug, may be to inhibit the secretions of inflammatory chemokines.

  1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose protects rat neuronal cells (Neuro 2A) from hydrogen peroxide-mediated cell death via the induction of heme oxygenase-1.:Neurosci Lett. 2002 Aug 9;328(2):185-9.Choi BM, Kim HJ, Oh GS, Pae HO, Oh H, Jeong S, Kwon TO, Kim YM, Chung HT.Medicinal Resources Research Center (MRRC), Wonkwang University, Iksan, 570-749, Chonbuk, South Korea.

 The root of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS is an important Chinese crude drug used in many traditional prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a major component of this crude drug, has been shown to possess potent anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-proliferative effects. In the present study, we examined the effect of PGG on the expression of neuronal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible stress protein that degrades heme to the neuroactive molecule, carbon monoxide and the anti-oxidant, biliverdin. Exposure of Neuro 2A cells to PGG (10-50 microM) resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent induction of HO-1 mRNA, and protein expressions and heme oxygenase activity. Interestingly, pretreatment of the neuronal cells with PGG resulted in enhanced cellular resistance to hydrogen peroxide. This cytoprotective effect was reversed by zinc protoporphyrin IX, an inhibitor of heme oxygenase. This study showed that PGG could protect neuronal cells from oxidative stress via the induction of HO-1 gene expression.

  Inhibitory effect of anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory herbs on herpes simplex virus replication.:Am J Chin Med. 2001;29(3-4):459-67.Hsiang CY, Hsieh CL, Wu SL, Lai IL, Ho TY.Department of Microbiology, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan.

 The increasing clinical use of acyclovir, ganciclovir, and foscarnet against herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus has been associated with the emergence of drug-resistant herpesvirus strains. To develop anti-HSV compounds from plants, 31 herbs used as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents in Chinese medicine were screened. Five different preparations (cold aqueous, hot aqueous, ethanolic, acid ethanolic, and methanolic) from 31 herbs were analyzed by plaque reduction assay, and 7 extracts. which showed significant antiviral activities, were further elucidated for their antiviral mechanisms. Our results showed that ethanolic extract of Rheum officinale and methanolic extract of Paeonia suffruticosa prevented the process of virus attachment and penetration. Aqueous extract of P. suffruticosa and ethanolic extract of Melia toosendan inhibited virus attachment to cell surface. Aqueous extract of Sophora flavescens and methanolic extract of M. toosendan showed no effect on virus attachment and penetration. These data indicated that these 4 herbs have a potential value as a source of new powerful anti-HSV compounds.


  In vitro anti-proliferative effect of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SK-HEP-1 cells.:Cancer Lett. 2001 Dec 10;174(1):17-24.Oh GS, Pae HO, Oh H, Hong SG, Kim IK, Chai KY, Yun YG, Kwon TO, Chung HT.Medicinal Resources Research Center (MRRC) of Wonkwang University, Iksan, 570-749, Chonbuk, South Korea.

 The root of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS is an important Chinese crude drug used in many traditional prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a major component of this crude drug, was found to exhibit in vitro growth-inhibiting effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SK-HEP-1 cells. The growth-inhibitory effect was related to the ability of PGG not only to cause a G(0)/G(1) phase arrest but also to suppress the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B. Neither apoptosis nor necrosis was observed in the cells treated with PGG. These findings suggest that PGG could be a candidate for developing a low-toxic anticancer agent.

  Analysis of paeonol in Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. and its patent preparations by supercritical fluid extraction and capillary gas chromatography.:Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1997 Dec;32(12):928-30. Chinese.Miao HJ, Liu ZL, Li YH.Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003.

 A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method was developed for the extraction of paeonol in Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. and its patent preparations. A systematic method was used to optimize five variables (temperature, pressure, modifier concentration, static extracting time and CO2 dynamic extracting volume) of SFE. Sample extracts were analyzed by wide-bore capillary gas chromatography (CGC). The method showed good linearity (gamma = 0.9999) in the range of 0.1-1.6 mg.ml-1 of paeonol. The average recovery was 97.8% with RSD = 2.35% (n = 3) for Paeonia suffruticosa andr., 100.3% with RSD = 1.89% (n = 3) for its patent preparations.

  A new antioxidant monoterpene glycoside, alpha-benzoyloxypaeoniflorin from Paeonia suffruticosa.:Arch Pharm Res. 2001 Apr;24(2):105-8.Ryu G, Park EK, Joo JH, Lee BH, Choi BW, Jung DS, Lee NH.Regional Research Center, Hanbat National University, Taejon, Korea.

 Alpha-benzoyloxypaeoniflorin (1), a new antioxidant monoterpene alpha-glycoside anomer was isolated from Paeonia suffruticosa along with known compounds, beta-benzoyloxypaeoniflorin (2), paeonolide, paeoniflorin and mudanpioside H. The structure of 1 has been determined by comparing spectral data with those of beta-benzoyloxypaeoniflorin (2). Compound 1 exhibited moderately potent radical scavenging activity on DPPH radical.

  A comparison of HIV-1 integrase inhibition by aqueous and methanol extracts of Chinese medicinal herbs.:Life Sci. 2001 Feb 23;68(14):1687-94.Au TK, Lam TL, Ng TB, Fong WP, Wan DC.Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.

 The aqueous and methanol extracts of twenty herbs traditionally used in Chinese medicine were screened for anti-HIV-1 integrase activity in a non-radioactive ELISA-based HIV-1 integrase assay. The screening was performed at an herb extract concentration of 50 microg/ml. It was found that most of the aqueous and methanol herb extracts could elicit strong inhibition of HIV-I integrase activity. The inhibition was most likely due to tannins or polyphenolics in the herb extracts. In most of the herb extracts, 40-80% of the anti-HIV-1 integrase activity could be removed after passing through a minicolumn of polyamide resin. After removal of polyphenolic compounds, the methanol extract of Paeonia suffruticosa still exerted potent inhibition of HIV-1 integrase (EC50 = 15 microg/ml) and the aqueous extract of Prunella vulgaris caused moderate inhibition (EC50 = 45 microg/ml). The results support the view that herbs represent a rich source of anti-HIV compounds.

  Bioactive constituents of chinese natural medicines. VI. Moutan cortex. (2): structures and radical scavenging effects of suffruticosides A, B, C, D, and E and galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin.:Chem Pharm Bull. 2001 Jan;49(1):69-72.

 Five paeonol glycosides, suffruticosides A, B, C, D, and E, and a monoterpene glucoside, galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, were isolated from the glycosidic fraction of Chinese Moutan Cortex, the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, together with paeonolide, apiopaeonoside, galloyl-paeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, and paeoniflorin. The structures of five suffruticosides and galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Suffruticosides A, B, C, and D, galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, and galloyl-paeoniflorin exhibited more potent radical scavenging effects than alpha-tocopherol.


  Bioactive constituents of Chinese natural medicines. V. Radical scavenging effect of Moutan Cortex. (1): Absolute stereostructures of two monoterpenes, paeonisuffrone and paeonisuffral.:Chem Pharm Bull. 2000 Sep;48(9):1327-31.

 The methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate-soluble and methanol-eluted fractions from Chinese Moutan Cortex, the roots of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS, were found to exhibit scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and superoxide anion radical generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Two monoterpenes called paeonisuffrone and paeonisuffral were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction. Their absolute stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physiochemical evidence, which included the application of a modified Mosher's method and lipase catalyzed debenzoylation reaction.

  The inhibition of phenylhydroquinone-induced oxidative DNA cleavage by constituents of Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix.:Biol Pharm Bull. 2000 Feb;23(2):199-203.

 Moutan Cortex (root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS) and Paeoniae Radix (root of Paeonia lactiflora PALLAS) are crude drugs used in many traditional prescriptions and have constituents in common. We studied the effects of extracts of these crude drugs and their constituents on oxidative DNA damage caused by phenylhydroquinone (PHQ), a major metabolite of o-phenylphenol. Both drugs suppressed the cleavage of pUC18 DNA induced by PHQ, and scavenged the superoxide and hydroxy radical generated by the chemical. They also inhibited the oxidative DNA cleavage by tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), one of the major metabolites of butylated hydroxyanisole. When constituents were examined with the same system, galloylpaeoniflorin and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) were found to be the most potent inhibitors of the DNA cleavage. These constituents had oxygen radical scavenging activity. Paeonol also attenuated the DNA cleavage. Paeoniflorin and albiflorin had relatively small inhibitory effects on DNA cleavage. However, catechin enhanced the PHQ-induced DNA cleavage. The suppression of oxidative DNA damage by Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix might be attributable to the additive effects of galloylpaeoniflorin, PGG and other constituents.

  Antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities of selected medicinal herbs.:Life Sci. 2000 Jan 14;66(8):725-35.Liu F, Ng TB.Department of Microbiology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.

 The antioxidative and superoxide- and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities and pro-oxidant effect of twelve selected medicinal herbs were studied. The aqueous extracts of Coptis chinensis, Paeonia suffruticosa, Prunella vulgaris and Senecio scandens exhibited the highest potency in inhibiting rat erythrocyte hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in rat kidney and brain homogenates. The aforementioned four herbs also demonstrated strong superoxide- and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, but exerted only a slight pro-oxidant effect.

  Baicalein, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from Scutellaria baicalensis.:J Nat Prod. 1998 Nov;61(11):1413-5.

 Methanol extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis, Rheum officinale, and Paeonia suffruticosa showed potent inhibitory activity against rat intestinal sucrase. The active principles were identified as baicalein from the first and methyl gallate from the last two plants. In addition to its activity against the rat enzyme, baicalein also inhibited human intestinal sucrase expressed in Caco-2 cells.

  Liu-wei-dihuang: a study by pulse analysis.:Am J Chin Med. 1998;26(1):73-82.Wang WK, Hsu TL, Wang YY.Biophysics Laboratory, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.

 Pulse analysis method was used in studying the traditional Chinese formula Liu-Wei-Dihuang as well as five of its main components (Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Paeonia Suffruticosa, Poria cocos and Alisma plantogo-aquatica var oriental). Based on our recently developed resonance theory, we tried to elucidate the mechanism and mutual reactions of these meridian related herbs. Hot water herbal extracts were injected intraperitoneally into rats and the pressure pulse spectrum at the caudate artery was measured. The results of this study indicated that Liu-Wei-Dihuang mildly increased blood flow to meridians with lower resonance frequency: namely the liver C1, the kidney C2 and the spleen C3; but decreased blood flow to the higher resonance frequency organs and meridians: the lung C4, the stomach C5, the gall bladder C6, and the bladder C7. It also decreased the heart load C0. All of the five herb components increased blood flow to the kidney C2 and the spleen C3; but their effects on the high frequency organs varied. Alisma plantogo-aquatica var. oriental decreased the C0, C5, C6, C7; Poria cocos decreased C1, C4, C5, C6; Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia Suffruticosa decreased C0, C4, C5, C6, C7; Cornus officinalis increased C4 but decreased C0, C5, C6, C7.


  Two novel compounds from Paeonia suffructicosa.:J Nat Prod. 1998 Mar;61(3):343-6.Lin HC, Ding HY, Wu YC.School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

 A new hexacyclic triterpenoid, mudanpinoic acid A (1), and a new gallic acid glycoside, mudanoside B (2), along with nine known compounds--benzoic acid, resacetophenone, paeoniflorigenone, beta-sitosterol, betulinic acid, oleanoic acid, quercetin, beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside, and trans-caffeic acid stearyl ester-were isolated from the dried root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa. The structures of the novel compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods, and that of compound 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

  Determination of paeonol in carbonized bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. by HPLC.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1996 Jan;21(1):23-4, 63. Chinese.Ding A, Guo R, Rong J.Nanjing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 The contents of paeonol in prepared pieces of carbonized bark of Paeonia suf fruticosa were determined by HPLC. The result shows that the contents of paeonol decrease with the rise of temperature and the extension of time in processing.

  Galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, suffruticosides A, B, C, and D, five new antioxidative glycosides, and suffruticoside E, A paeonol glycoside, from Chinese moutan cortex.:Chem Pharm Bull. 1992 Aug;40(8):2248-50.

 Five new antioxidative glycosides named galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, suffruticosides A, B, C, and D, and a new paeonol glycoside named suffruticoside E have been isolated from Chinese Moutan Cortex, the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS, together with antioxidative galloyl-paeoniflorin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidences. Galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, galloyl-paeoniflorin, suffruticosides A, B, C, and D showed more potent radical scavenging and antioxidative effects than alpha-tocopherol.

  A study on the mutagenicity of 102 raw pharmaceuticals used in Chinese traditional medicine.:Mutat Res. 1991 May;260(1):73-82. Yin XJ, Liu DX, Wang HC, Zhou Y.Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Western Region Hospital, Urumuqi, People's Republic of China.

 The mutagenic potential of traditional Chinese drugs was studied. After extraction with boiling water and frozen vacuum drying, preparations from 102 raw drugs were tested with the Ames test, and the micronucleus and chromosomal aberration assays in mice in vivo. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (+S9), Sophora japonica L. (+/- S9) and Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (+/- S9) were found to significantly induce His+ revertants in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and/or TA100. Besides these 3, 10 other extracts were positive in the chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays in mice. They are Datura metal L., Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Carthamus tinctorius L., Forsythia suspensa Thumb., Rehmannia glutinosa f. Hueichingensis (fermented), Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., Platycodon grandiflorum Jacq. DC., Cinnamomum mairei Levl., Notopterygium incisium Ting., and Sophora flavescens Ait. The relevance of these findings is discussed.

  Protection by tree-peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr) of obesity in (SLN x C3H/He) F1 obese mice.:In Vivo. 1991 Mar-Apr;5(2):115-8.

 Water extracts of 10 medicinal plants were checked for protection against obesity in female and male (SLN x C3H/He) F1 obese mice. Each extract was given as drinking water at the concentration of 0.5% between 3 and 32 weeks of age. Among agents examined, only the root extract of tree-peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr) retarded growth, especially in males. In males, the treatment with tree-peony resulted in a significant decline in food intake and of the Lee index, an index of obesity, and an increase in glucose tolerance. While no significant difference was observed between the experimental and the control groups in serum free fatty acid levels, the range of the levels was much larger in female and male mice given tree-peony. There was little difference between groups in the weights of heart, liver, kidney, lung, spleen and major endocrine organs in both sexes and in the pattern of oestrous cycles in females. All results indicate that tree-peony can protect against obesity, especially in males, at least partly by a decrease in food intake and an increase in glucose metabolism.


  Classification of Chinese traditional medicine, moutan (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) cortex by means of pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography/pattern recognition.:Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1990;25(6):462-8. Chinese.Fang XC, Xiang BR, An DK.Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing.

 Thirty-eight samples of Moutan (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) Cortex obtained from three different regions (Southwest, East and Middle China) and two samples of unknown region were subjected to analysis with pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography (Py-HRGC). Each sample was thus characterized by the peak area of 41 peaks in each Py-HRGC profile. Discriminant analysis (DA), PRIMA and SIMCA pattern recognition were used to recognize the 40 x 41 data matrix. These data analysis gave satisfactory results (DA, 100% correct; PRIMA, 100% correct, 92.2% unique; SIMCA, 92.2% correct, 79% unique). The correct classification of Moutan Cortex for the unknown territory was obtained by three pattern recognition methods. The results showed that Py-HRGC/pattern recognition technique might be a potential tool for the identification of Chinese traditional medicine.

  Biopharmaceutical studies on crude drug preparations. I: Permeation of paeonol in a decoction and dry extract of Paeonia suffruticosa root cortex using an absorption simulator.:J Ethnopharmacol. 1987 Sep-Oct;21(1):37-44.

 The permeation behavior of paeonol, one active constituent of a crude Chinese drug called Moutan Cortex, through an artificial gastric lipid barrier was examined in vitro using an absorption simulator in order to clarify how the administered form influenced the bioavailability of paeonol from a crude preparation. Paeonol concentrations were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method developed during this study. Paeonol showed greater permeation from artificial gastric juice into artificial plasma when it was applied as a decoction or freeze-dried extract of Moutan Cortex than when applied as purified paeonol alone.

  Diuretic action of paeonol.:Planta Med. 1985 Jun;51(3):187-9.

 Effects of paeonol, a major component of the root bark of PAEONIA SUFFRUTICOSA, on urinary excretion of water (UV), sodium (U (Na)V), potassium (U (K)V), chloride (U (cl)V) and osmolality (U (osm)V) were investigated in bicarbonate saline loaded rats. Paeonol at the doses of 62.5 to 250 mg/kg p.o. produced dose-dependent increases in UV, U (Na)V and U (Cl)V (P < 0.05 or 0.01 vs. control). U (K)V was unchanged at the lower doses and decreased at the highest dose. U (osm)V was also increased by paeonol (P < 0.05 or 0.01). The lowest effective dose of paeonol in diuretic action was 62.5 mg/kg which is somewhat lower than those reported to produce an antiinflammatory action or a reduction of gastric secretion (125 to 500 mg/kg). The highest dose of paeonol produced the same degree of increase in UV as hydrochlorothiazide (HTZ) (10 mg/kg), while the increases in electrolytes excretion by HTZ were significantly greater than by paeonol. These data demonstrate that paeonol has a diuretic action, and suggest that its sites of action in the kidney are different from those of HTZ.


  Scientific References:

  1.Research Update:Tree Poeny Bark.Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.Paeonol