Studies on active substances in herbs used for Oketsu ("stagnant blood") in Chinese medicine. V On the anticoagulative principle in Moutan Cortex.

Abstract

The anticoagulative principle in Moutan Cortex, which is one of the most important herbs and is used particularly for the treatment of Oketsu “stagnant blood” in traditional Chinese medicine, was investigated. Plasma recalcification time in mice was used for the bioassay. By following the anticoagulative activities, paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone) was isolated as a major active principle in the herb.