Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Paeoniflorin is a monoterpene glycoside extracted from peony root that demonstrates anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective effects. This bioactive compound works primarily by inhibiting NF-κB activation and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6.
CategoryNamed Bioactive Compounds
GroupCompound
Evidence LevelModerate
Primary Keywordpaeoniflorin benefits
Synergy Pairings3
Paeoniflorin (Monoterpene Glycoside) — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Paeoniflorin is a monoterpene glycoside primarily extracted from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (peony), a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1000 years. It is isolated as a key component of total glycosides of paeony (TGP), often alongside related compounds like albiflorin.
“Paeoniflorin comes from Paeonia lactiflora root (paeony), used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1000 years to treat pain, inflammation, immune disorders, and gynecological issues. Total glycosides of paeony (TGP), rich in paeoniflorin, are currently used in over 1000 Chinese hospitals for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
Current evidence for paeoniflorin is limited entirely to preclinical animal and cell studies, with no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses available. Key preclinical studies include rat models of sepsis showing reduced inflammatory markers, and adjuvant arthritis models demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects at oral doses of 10-20 mg/kg/day (PMID: 17588133).
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
No human dosage studies exist. Animal studies used oral doses of 10-20 mg/kg/day for arthritis (18-20 days) and 10-60 mg/kg/day for atherosclerosis (6-18 weeks). Human pharmacokinetic data shows a short half-life of 1.8-1.9 hours after IV administration. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Nutritional Profile
Paeoniflorin is a purified monoterpene glycoside compound, not a whole food ingredient, and therefore contains no macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates), dietary fiber, vitamins, or minerals in any meaningful nutritional sense. As an isolated bioactive compound, its profile is defined entirely by its chemical and pharmacokinetic properties: Molecular formula C23H28O11, molecular weight 480.45 g/mol. It is the principal active constituent of Paeonia lactiflora (white peony root), comprising approximately 1.1–5.5% of dried root weight by mass. Structurally, it consists of a pinane-type monoterpene aglycone (paeoniflorigenone core) linked to a glucose moiety via a beta-glycosidic bond. Bioavailability is notably poor when taken orally: absolute oral bioavailability in rodent studies is reported at approximately 3.5–6.9%, attributed to low intestinal permeability (classified as a BCS Class III/IV compound), P-glycoprotein efflux, and first-pass hepatic metabolism. Gut microbiota partially hydrolyze the glycoside bond, releasing the aglycone paeoniflorigenin, which may contribute to systemic effects. Peak plasma concentration (Tmax) is reached within 0.5–2 hours post-oral administration in animal models. Co-administration with absorption enhancers or liposomal formulations has been shown in preclinical studies to increase bioavailability by 2–4 fold. No caloric value is applicable at physiologically relevant doses (typically 50–200 mg in human-equivalent estimates).
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Paeoniflorin exerts its effects by suppressing nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, which reduces the expression of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The compound also modulates lipid metabolism pathways, leading to decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, paeoniflorin inhibits synoviocyte proliferation through cytokine regulation in inflammatory joint conditions.
Clinical Evidence
Current evidence for paeoniflorin comes primarily from animal studies and preclinical research. In adjuvant arthritis rat models, doses of 10-20 mg/kg/day demonstrated significant inhibition of synoviocyte proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production. Cardiovascular studies in animal models showed measurable reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol levels. Human clinical trials are limited, making the translation of these preclinical benefits to human populations uncertain.
Safety & Interactions
Paeoniflorin appears well-tolerated in animal studies at therapeutic doses, but comprehensive human safety data is lacking. The compound may interact with anticoagulant medications due to potential effects on blood coagulation pathways. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid paeoniflorin supplements due to insufficient safety data. Individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications should consult healthcare providers before use.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
Paeonia lactiflora glycosideTGP componentBai Shao glycosideWhite peony glycosidePeony monoterpeneShaoyao glycosideRadix Paeoniae Alba extract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effective dosage of paeoniflorin for inflammation?
Animal studies suggest 10-20 mg/kg/day may be effective for inflammatory conditions. However, human dosing recommendations are not established due to limited clinical trials.
Can paeoniflorin help with arthritis symptoms?
Preclinical studies show paeoniflorin reduced synoviocyte proliferation and inflammatory cytokines in arthritic rats. Human studies are needed to confirm these anti-arthritic effects.
Does paeoniflorin interact with blood pressure medications?
Paeoniflorin may affect cardiovascular function and could potentially interact with blood pressure drugs. Consult your doctor before combining with antihypertensive medications.
How long does paeoniflorin take to show anti-inflammatory effects?
Animal studies typically show effects within 2-4 weeks of daily administration. Human timeframes may differ and require clinical validation.
Is paeoniflorin safe during pregnancy?
Safety during pregnancy has not been established through clinical studies. Pregnant women should avoid paeoniflorin supplements until more safety data becomes available.
What is the difference between paeoniflorin from peony root extract versus isolated paeoniflorin?
Isolated paeoniflorin is a purified single compound extracted from peony (Paeonia) species, whereas peony root extract contains paeoniflorin alongside other bioactive compounds like albiflorin and benzoylpaeoniflorin. Clinical efficacy may differ between the two forms because whole extract provides synergistic effects from multiple constituents, though most anti-inflammatory research has focused on isolated paeoniflorin in animal models. The bioavailability and tissue distribution of isolated paeoniflorin versus extract forms have not been directly compared in human studies.
Who should avoid paeoniflorin supplementation based on current evidence?
People with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications should consult a healthcare provider, as paeoniflorin may have mild blood-thinning properties based on animal studies. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid paeoniflorin due to insufficient safety data and theoretical risks (supported by traditional medicine cautions rather than human trials). Individuals with hepatic or renal impairment may require dosage adjustments, though specific contraindications in these populations have not been established in clinical research.
How strong is the clinical evidence supporting paeoniflorin for human use?
Most paeoniflorin research is limited to animal models (primarily rodent studies) demonstrating anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, with only a small number of human clinical trials published. The existing human studies are primarily from traditional medicine applications in Asia and often lack rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Robust, large-scale clinical trials in Western populations are needed to confirm efficacy, optimal dosing, and safety profiles in humans before making definitive health claims.
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