Origins, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Analytical Methods and Safety of Cortex Moutan (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew): A Systematic Review.

Zhiqiang Wang,Feihu Chen,Chunnian He,Yong Peng,Peigen Xiao

doi:10.3390/molecules22060946

Abstract

Cortex Moutan (CM), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used for treating various diseases in China and other eastern Asian countries. Recorded in Pharmacopeias of several countries, CM is now drawing increasing attention and under extensive studies in various fields. Phytochemical studies indicate that CM contains many valuable secondary metabolites, such as monoterpene glycosides and phenols. Ample evidence from pharmacological researches suggest that CM has a wide spectrum of activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective effects. Moreover, various analytical methods were established for the quality evaluation and safety control of CM. This review synopsizes updated information concerning the origins, phytochemistry, pharmacology, analytical method and safety of CM, aiming to provide favorable references for modern CM research and application. In conclusion, continuing pharmacological investigations concerning CM should be conducted to unravel its pharmacological mechanisms. Further researches are necessary to obtain comprehensive and applicable analytical approach for quality evaluation and establish harmonized criteria of CM.

Highlights

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays an indispensable role in the healthcare system of Chinese people due to its efficiency for various diseases, and still contributes to satisfy the modern medical demand owing to its large-scale compounds reservoir for new drug discovery
Paeoniaceae were generally subdivided into nine wild shrubby species: P. cathayana, P. decomposita, P. jishanensis, P. ostii, P. qiui, P. rockii, P. rotundiloba, P. delavayi and P. ludlowii [14]
Cortex Moutan (CM), which can be assigned to seven classes: monoterpenes, monoterpene glycosides, flavonoids, from CM, which can be assigned to seven classes: monoterpenes, monoterpene glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, triterpenoids, phenols phenols and and others others [16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28]

Summary

Introduction

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays an indispensable role in the healthcare system of Chinese people due to its efficiency for various diseases, and still contributes to satisfy the modern medical demand owing to its large-scale compounds reservoir for new drug discovery. Moutan (CM), dried root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew (Fam. Ranunculaceae/Paeoniaceae), is an important crude drug traditionally used in China to treat diverse diseases for thousands of years [1]. P. Suffruticosa, called “Mudan” in Chinese vernacular names, is famous for its ornamental and medicinal uses: its flower is a symbol of elegance and prosperity, while its root bark, namely “Mudanpi” in Chinese, is broadly used in TCM as remedies for cardiovascular, extravasated blood, stagnated blood, and female genital diseases [2]. CM was recorded in several famous Chinese medical books, like Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu), Shen Nong's Herbal Classic

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