Herbs (Global Traditional) · Traditional Chinese Medicine
Paeonia lactiflora
Strong Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Paeonia lactiflora (white peony root) contains paeoniflorin and other monoterpene glycosides that modulate immune responses and inflammation. Its primary mechanism involves regulation of T-helper cell balance and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Paeonia lactiflora is a perennial herbaceous plant native to East Asia, particularly China, belonging to the Paeoniaceae family. The root is harvested, dried, and processed into decoctions, powders, or standardized extracts like total glucosides of paeony (TGP) through water or ethanol extraction methods.
Clinical evidence for Paeonia lactiflora is primarily limited to small trials, including a 70-patient study on oral lichen planus showing improved efficacy with combination therapy, and a review comparing TGP treatment in 792 SLE patients versus 781 controls. Most evidence remains preclinical or network-predicted, with no RCTs or meta-analyses with specific PMIDs provided in the research.
Clinically studied dosage for total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is 0.6g taken orally three times daily (1.8g/day total) for oral lichen planus treatment over 2 months. TGP extracts are typically standardized to paeoniflorin content, though specific percentages were not detailed in clinical trials. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Paeonia lactiflora (White Peony Root) is a medicinal botanical rather than a conventional food ingredient, so its profile centers on bioactive compounds rather than macronutrient content. Primary bioactive: Paeoniflorin (monoterpene glycoside), the principal active constituent, comprising approximately 2.3–5.8% of dried root weight (23–58 mg/g dry weight) per HPLC analyses; this compound drives most documented pharmacological effects. Secondary bioactives include albiflorin (0.5–2.1% dry weight), oxypaeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and paeonolide, collectively forming the Total Glucosides of Paeony (TGP) fraction standardized in clinical preparations to ~40 mg TGP per 0.6 g capsule. Phenolic acids present include gallic acid (0.1–0.8% dry weight) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (pentagalloylglucose, ~0.3–1.2%). Tannins contribute 3–12% of dry weight. Flavonoids including kaempferol and quercetin derivatives are present in trace quantities (<0.1%). Volatile oils account for approximately 0.04% fresh weight. Macronutrient content per 100 g dried root: carbohydrates ~60–70 g (primarily starch and polysaccharides including peony polysaccharide ~8–15 g), crude protein ~6–9 g, crude fiber ~10–14 g, fat ~1–2 g. Minerals detected include potassium (~800–1200 mg/100 g), calcium (~200–400 mg/100 g), magnesium (~100–200 mg/100 g), and iron (~15–30 mg/100 g) in dried root. Bioavailability note: Paeoniflorin has poor oral bioavailability (~3–4% absolute bioavailability in human studies) due to hydrophilic structure and susceptibility to gut bacterial hydrolysis; gut microbiota convert paeoniflorin to paeonimetabolin-I, which may be the primary absorbed form. Clinical TGP formulations use standardized extracts to compensate for this limitation.
Paeoniflorin, the primary bioactive compound in Paeonia lactiflora, regulates immune function by modulating Th1/Th2 cell balance and suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. This leads to reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. The compound also inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathways, contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects.
A clinical study on oral lichen planus showed total glucosides of peony (TGP) combined with wolfberry achieved 88.57% effectiveness versus 68.57% with TGP alone, though sample sizes were not specified. Preclinical studies in rheumatoid arthritis models demonstrate significant reductions in joint swelling, pain scores, and bone erosion markers. However, well-designed human randomized controlled trials for rheumatoid arthritis remain limited, with most evidence coming from animal studies and small observational trials. The existing clinical data shows promise but requires larger, properly controlled human studies for definitive therapeutic recommendations.
Paeonia lactiflora is generally well-tolerated in traditional doses, though mild gastrointestinal upset may occur in sensitive individuals. The herb may potentiate anticoagulant medications due to its effects on platelet aggregation, requiring monitoring when used with warfarin or similar drugs. Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety data is insufficient, so use should be avoided during these periods. Individuals with autoimmune conditions should consult healthcare providers before use, as immune-modulating effects could theoretically interfere with immunosuppressive medications.
