Genetic and chemical characterization of white and red peony root derived from Paeonia lactiflora.

Yuqiu Wu,Xiaoli Yu,Katsuko Komatsu,Shu Zhu,Nobuo Kawahara,Fumio Shiraishi

doi:10.1007/s11418-014-0857-5

Abstract

Two kinds of peony roots—white peony root (WPR) and red peony root (RPR)—are used for different remedies in traditional Chinese medicine; however, most of them are derived from the same botanical origin, Paeonia lactiflora. The difference between WPR and RPR has been debated for a long time. This study attempted to clarify the genetic and chemical characteristics of WPR and RPR in order to provide a scientific dataset for their identification and effective use. The nucleotide sequence of nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the contents of 8 main bioactive constituents were analyzed from specimens of P. lactiflora, P. veitchii and two related species as well as crude drug samples of WPR, RPR and peony root produced in Japan. Of the samples derived from P. lactiflora, the WPR produced in the southern parts of China and the RPR produced in the northern parts of China were clearly divided into two subgroups within the P. lactiflora group based on similarity of the ITS sequences. The nucleotides at positions 69, 458 and 523 upstream of the ITS sequence served as molecular markers to discriminate between WPR and RPR. Quantitative analysis indicated that the RPR samples obviously contained a higher content of paeoniflorin and paeonol, but a lower content of albiflorin than the WPR produced in the southern parts of China and peony root produced in Japan. The WPR available from Chinese markets was usually processed by sulfur fumigation, which resulted in an extremely low content of paeoniflorin. This study indicated that WPR and RPR were not only geographically isolated, but also genetically and chemically separated. The ITS sequence provided a genetic index for their identification.

Highlights

Peony root (PR) (Paeoniae Radix) is one of the most frequently used crude drugs in traditional Chinese medicine and Kampo medicine
Of the samples derived from P. lactiflora, the WPR produced in the southern parts of China and the red peony root (RPR) produced in the northern parts of China were clearly divided into two subgroups within the P. lactiflora group based on similarity of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences
It is noteworthy that the WPR produced in the southern parts of China belonged to one subgroup (WPR subgroup) and the RPR produced in the northern parts of China fell into another subgroup (RPR subgroup) (Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

Peony root (PR) (Paeoniae Radix) is one of the most frequently used crude drugs in traditional Chinese medicine and Kampo medicine. In China there are two kinds of PR available—white peony root (WPR) and red peony root (RPR)—which are used for different remedies. WPR has been used to treat symptoms such as dizziness, limb spasm, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood deficiency and irregular menses, etc. RPR, has been mainly used as remedies for blood stasis, gynecological diseases, cardiovascular illness, etc. In Chinese Pharmacopoeia, WPR is prescribed as the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, which has been boiled and peeled and RPR is prescribed as the naturally dried root of P. lactiflora and P. veitchii Lynch. The difference between WPR and RPR has been debated for a long time with regard to the processing methods (peeled or unpeeled), difference in flower colors or root

Methods

Results

Conclusion