Polygonum extract herb health benefit by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Polygonum cuspidatum is an herb that has become popular since it is a rich source of resveratrol. Emodin and physcion are abundant anthraquinone compounds found in this traditional Chinese medicinal herb.
   Polygonum multiflorum is another popular herb used in China, known as He Shoo Wu.

Resveratrol 10 mg from polygonum cuspidatum

Resveratrol ( trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene ) is a protective compound produced by grapes and other plants in response to environmental stresses. Studies have demonstrated that resveratrol has potent antioxidant activity and also has the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation. These actions may help prevent free radical damage throughout the body and provide protective support to the cardiovascular system. Red wine has about 1.5 to 3 milligrams of resveratrol per liter (a liter is almost 34 ounces).

Resveratrol 10 mg from polygonum cuspidatum extract - for the certificate of analysis of this resveratrol product, click the link below in blue

See resveratrol to purchase.

Polygonum Multiflorum
Effect of prepared Polygonum multiflorum on striatum extracellular acetylcholine and choline in rats of intracerebral perfusion with sodium azide.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006. Geriatrics Institute, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Bejing.
To investigate the protection mechanism of prepared Polygonum multiflorum in rat brain with sodium azide (NaN3) perfusion. Rats were divided into six groups: control, model, Polygonum multiflorum, Duxil and Polygonum multiflorum + Duxil groups. The prepared Polygonum multiflorum can improve the impaired cholinergic nerve function to exert the effects of brain protection by elevating extracellular acethylcholine level and improving uptake of extracellular choline. It may provide the experimental evidence to support the idea that Polygonum multiflorum could be brain protective drug to treat retrogressive disease such as dementia.

An extract of Polygonum multiflorum protects against free radical damage induced by ultraviolet B irradiation of the skin.
Braz J Med Biol Res. 2006. Central Research Center, Natural F & P Co., Ltd., Chunchon, South Korea.
Over the last decades, the incidence of ultraviolet B (UVB)-related skin problems has been increasing. Damages induced by UVB radiation are related to mutations that occur as a result of direct DNA damage and/or the production of reactive oxygen species. We investigated the anti-oxidant effects of a Polygonum multiflorum thumb extract against skin damage induced by UVB irradiation. These results suggest that Polygonum multiflorum extract strongly inhibits the destruction of SOD1 by UV radiation and probably contains anti-skin photoaging agents.

Polygonum aviculare
Antioxidant activity of extract from Polygonum aviculare L.
Biol Res. 2006. Department of Life Science, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, China.
Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation, protein peroxidation, and DNA damage. It has been reported that numerous plant extracts have antioxidant activities to scavenge free radicals. Whether Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae) has antioxidant activity is unknown. In this study, dried Polygonum aviculare L. was extracted by ethanol, and the extract was lyophilized. The antioxidant activities of extract powder were examined by free radical scavenging assays, superoxide radical scavenging assays, lipid peroxidation assays and hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays. The results show that the IC50 value of Polygonum aviculare L. extract is 50 microg/ml in free radical scavenging assays, 0.8 microg/ml in superoxide radical scavenging assays, and 15 microg/ml in lipid peroxidation assays, respectively. Furthermore, Polygonum aviculare L. extract has DNA protective effect in hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays. The total phenolics and flavonoid content of extract is 677.4 +/- 62.7 microg/g and 112.7 +/- 13 microg/g. The results indicate that Polygonum aviculare L. extract clearly has antioxidant effects.

Studies on phenolic compounds from Polygomun aviculane
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006. Longdong University, Qingyang, China.
To study the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Polygomun aviculane. Seven phenolic compounds were identified as rosmarinic acid, gallic acid, gentisic acid 5-O-(6'-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ethyl caffeate and acteoside.

Polygonum hydropiper
The estrogenic effects of Polygonum hydropiper root extract induce follicular recruitment and endometrial hyperplasia in female albino rats.
Contraception. 2006. Department of Zoology, Chaiduar College, Gohpur, Sonitpur Assam 784168, India.
The powdered dry root of Polygonum hydropiper is widely used by a certain ethnic group of women in Assam, India, for the prevention of undesired pregnancy. In the present investigation, the estrogenic property of the crude root extract of Polygonum hydropiper [compared to estradiol-17beta (E(2)), the reference drug] was tested in ovary-intact and ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Oral administration of the crude root extract of Polygonum hydropiper significantly altered the histological structures of both ovary-intact and OVX rats.

Polygonum plant species
Many species of Polygonum are rich in beneficial substances which contribute to a wide range of medicinal properties. Many of these herbs have phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and their derivatives, tannins, stilbenes, and anthraquinones.

Polygonum aubertii
aviculane
Polygonum capitatum
Chinensis
Polygonum cuspidatum has anthraquinones, physcion, emodin, citreorosein and anthraglycoside B, and stilbenes, resveratrol, and piceid.
hydropiper
Polygonum multiflorum or Ho Shoo Wu
persicaria
Polygonum orientale

Polygonum cuspitadum supplement questions
Q. I read that polygonum multiflorum has negative effect on kidneys if used alone. Would this also be true for Polygonum Cuspidatum?
   A. The root extracts of the Chinese herb Polygonum multiflorum have been used for centuries as an internal medicine to improve liver and kidney functions. I am not aware of kidney damage due to the use of polygonum multiflorum.

Can polygonum cuspidatum supplement that has resveratrol cause kidney stones?
  I have not seen such studies and doubt that such intake would cause kidney stones.