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Peony Extract: Protects Against Memory Loss and Supports Liver Function!

Evidence Shows that Peony can Prevent or Delay Memory Loss

Peony is used today as a single remedy or in combination with other herbs to ease emotional nervous conditions. It is also used to:

  • enhance mental function15161718192021222324
  • improve liver function
  • help prevent liver damage from chemical toxins such as carbon tetrachloride4
  • treat viral hepatitis5
  • lower cholesterol levels6
  • normalize blood pressure2
  • inhibit blood platelet aggregation (blood clotting)7
  • improve fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome8
  • relieve muscle cramps due to diabetes, dialysis, and cirrhosis of the liver9

The history of using herbs for the treatment of different health problems has been well documented, and recent scientific research has validated their effectiveness. The Chinese botanicals have been among the most impressive in this regard. Numerous Chinese traditional herbs have been shown to have beneficial properties for memory problems, and peony has been one of those with the most exciting scientific research.

The peony flower grows wild in China, where it is called Shao Yao for “most beautiful,” and comes in a variety of colors ranging from light pink to dark maroon. It is also cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout the world.

Peony is named for the mythical Greek figure Paeon, who was said to be a student of the illustrious physician Aesculapius.1 Peony root has been used as a diuretic, sedative, and tonic, and is known for its antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The ancient Greeks used it to treat epilepsy and promote menstruation. European herbalists used the root as an antispasmodic and to soothe nerves.

Additionally, different color flowers were used for different ailments. In Chinese medicine, Bai shao or white peony was used to treat hypertension, chest pain, muscle cramping and spasms, and fever.1

Chi shao or red peony was used for various conditions pertaining to blood, such as bleeding or restricted blood flow, nosebleeds, bleeding wounds, and excessive menstrual bleeding.2 It was also used to treat female problems including painful and irregular menstruation.2 In fact, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is one of the most widely used herbs to treat menstrual cramps and menstrual irregularities.3

Active Constituents

Chinese scientists recently discovered three new glycosides in peony,10 including a unique monoterpenoid glycoside called paeoniflorin, which calms nerves and alleviates muscle spasm. Even more exciting is the Japanese discovery of paeoniflorin’s ability to improve memory in animal studies, suggesting a potential benefit for dementia.11

Paeoniflorin, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoids have also demonstrated antioxidant activity in test tubes.12 Additionally, polysaccharides found in peony bark and root have shown an ability to stimulate the immune system.1314

Peony and Heat Shock Proteins

Heat Shock Proteins are one of nature’s most important protectors. As their name suggests, they were first discovered when studying the damaging effects of heat on cellular functioning. Because all living things use proteins to direct cellular functions, and heat causes proteins to lose their activity, Heat Shock Proteins are found in all living things to stabilize proteins when presented with heat stress. Ultimately, it was discovered that Heat Shock Proteins are produced at all times in living cells to help properly maintain protein functioning, and are dramatically increased when cells are stressed with heat, free radicals, or toxins. Life itself would not be possible without this Heat Shock Protein system.

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This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a dietary supplement program.

References

  1. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992:200–7.

    ↑

  2. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, rev ed, Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993:331–2. 

    ↑

  3. Kotani N, Oyama T, Hashimoto H, et al. Analgesic effect of a herbal medicine for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea—a double-blind study. Am J Chin Med 1997;25:205–12. 

    Abstract ↑

  4. Qi XG. Protective mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Paeonia lactiflora for experimental liver damage. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1991;11:69, 102–4 [in Chinese]. 

    Abstract ↑

  5. Wang CB, Chang AM. Plasma thromboxane B2 changes in severe icteric hepatitis treated by traditional Chinese medicine—dispelling the pathogenic heat from blood, promoting blood circulation and administrating large doses of radix Paeoniae—a report of 6 cases.Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1985;5:326–8, 322 [in Chinese]. 

    Abstract ↑

  6. Zhang Y. The effects of nifedipine, diltiazem, and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. on atherogenesis in rabbits. Chung Hua Hsin Hsueh Kuan Ping Tsa Chih 1991;19:100–3 [in Chinese]. 

    ↑

  7. Liu J. Effect of Paeonia obovata 801 on metabolism of thromboxane B2 and arachidonic acid and on platelet aggregation in patients with coronary heart disease and cerebral thrombosis.Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih (Chin Med J) 1983;63:477–81 [in Chinese]. 

    ↑

  8. Takahashi K, Kitao M. Effect of TJ-68 (shakuyaku-kanzo-to) on polycystic ovarian disease. Int J Fertil Menopausal Stud1994;39:69–76.

    Abstract ↑

  9. Yamashita JI. Effect of Tsumura skakuyaku-kanzo-to on pain at muscle twitch during and after dialysis in the patients undergoing dialysis. Pain and Kampo Medicine 1992;2:18–20. 

    ↑

  10. Wu SH, Luo XD, Ma YB, Hao XJ, Wu DG. Monoterpenoid derivatives from Paeonia delavayi. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2002 Jun;4(2):135-40. 

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12067159&query_hl=23&itool=pubmed_docsum ↑

  11. Watanabe H. Candidates for cognitive enhancer extracted from medicinal plants: paeoniflorin and tetramethylpyrazine. Behav Brain Res. 1997 Feb;83(1-2):135-41. 

    ↑

  12.  Okubo T, Nagai F, Seto T, et al. The inhibition of phenylhydroquinone-induced oxidative DNA cleavage by constituents of Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix. Biol Pharm Bull 2000;23:199–203. 

    Abstract ↑

  13. Tomoda M, Matsumoto K, Shimizu N, et al. Characterization of a neutral and an acidic polysaccharide having immunological activities from the root of Paeonia lactiflora. Biol Pharm Bull1993;16:1207–10.

    Abstract ↑

  14. Tomoda M, Matsumoto K, Shimizu N, et al. An acidic polysaccharide with immunological activities from the root of Paeonia lactiflora. Biol Pharm Bull 1994;17:1161–4.

    Abstract ↑

  15. Yan D, Saito K, Ohmi Y, Fujie N, Ohtsuka K. Paeoniflorin, a novel heat shock protein-inducing compound. Cell Stress Chaperones. 2004 Winter;9(4):378-89.

    Abstract ↑

  16. Yang J, Wang J, Liu C. [Protective effects of total paeony glycoside on cerebral ischemia mice] [Article in Chinese] Zhong Yao Cai. 2001 Feb;24(2):124-6. 

    Abstract ↑

  17. Dong XP, Xu TL. Radix paeoniae rubra suppression of sodium current in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons. Brain Res. 2002 Jun 14;940(1-2):1-9. 

    Abstract ↑

  18. Yang J, Wang J, Feng P, Li Y, Ma C, Xu S. [Protective effect of total paeony glycoside against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice][Article in Chinese] Zhong Yao Cai. 2000 Feb;23(2):95-7.

    Abstract ↑

  19. Liu J, Jin DZ, Xiao L, Zhu XZ. Paeoniflorin attenuates chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced learning dysfunction and brain damage in rats. Brain Res. 2006 May 17;1089(1):162-70.

    Abstract ↑

  20. Tabata K, Matsumoto K, Murakami Y, Watanabe H. Ameliorative effects of paeoniflorin, a major constituent of peony root, on adenosine A1 receptor-mediated impairment of passive avoidance performance and long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Biol Pharm Bull. 2001 May;24(5):496-500.

    Abstract ↑

  21. Tabata K, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H. Paeoniflorin, a major constituent of peony root, reverses muscarinic M1-receptor antagonist-induced suppression of long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampal slice. Jpn J Pharmacol. 2000 May;83(1):25-30.

    Abstract ↑

  22. Ohta H, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H, Shimizu M. Involvement of beta-adrenergic systems in the antagonizing effect of paeoniflorin on the scopolamine-induced deficit in radial maze performance in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1993 Aug;62(4):345-9.

    Abstract ↑

  23. Ohta H, Ni JW, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H, Shimizu M. Peony and its major constituent, paeoniflorin, improve radial maze performance impaired by scopolamine in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1993 Jul;45(3):719-23.

    Abstract ↑

  24. Tsuda T, Sugaya A, Ohguchi H, Kishida N, Sugaya E. Protective effects of peony root extract and its components on neuron damage in the hippocampus induced by the cobalt focus epilepsy model.Exp Neurol. 1997 Aug;146(2):518-25. 

    Abstract ↑

  25. Ohta H, Matsumoto K, Shimizu M, Watanabe H. Paeoniflorin attenuates learning impairment of aged rats in operant brightness discrimination task. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1994 Sep;49(1):213-7. 

    Abstract ↑