Water decoction-alcohol extract of dan pi could increse the blood flow volume in the coronary vessels of isolated rat hearts and increase the heart rate. Water decoction and powder of dan pi had protective effect on ischemic or anoxic cardiac muscle. Water decoction had obvious blood pressure lowering effect on anaesthetized dogs and rats. Paeonol could significantly inhibit the formation of arteriosclerotic plaque and platelet aggregation.

Water decoction-alcohol precipitation of dan pi could improve anoxic tolerance of the cerebral tissues. Paeonol had sedative, hypnotic and analgesic effects. It could antagonize the convusion caused by electric shock and drug.

Paeonol had anti-inflammatory effect and could lower the permeability of blood vessels. Extract of dan pi had inhibitory effect on shigella dysenteriae, typhoid bacillus, bacillus pyocyaneus, bacillus coli, bacillus subilis, staphylococcus, hemolytic streptococcus, diplococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus, etc.. It also had certain inhibitory effect on more than ten kinds of dermatomyces.

Water decoction-alcohol extract of dan pi could lower the whole blood viscosity under high shear, lower platelet adhesiveness and fibrinogen, etc.. It could also inhibit human platelet aggregation and had anti-coagulation effect.

In vitro anti-proliferative effect of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SK-HEP-1 cells.

The root of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS is an important Chinese crude drug used in many traditional prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a major component of this crude drug, was found to exhibit in vitro growth-inhibiting effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SK-HEP-1 cells. The growth-inhibitory effect was related to the ability of PGG not only to cause a G(0)/G(1) phase arrest but also to suppress the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B. Neither apoptosis nor necrosis was observed in the cells treated with PGG. These findings suggest that PGG could be a candidate for developing a low-toxic anticancer agent.

--Oh GS, Pae HO, Oh H, Hong SG, Kim IK, Chai KY, Yun YG, Kwon TO, Chung HT. Cancer Lett. 2001 Dec 10;174(1):17-24.

Paeonol had anti-febrile effect, and it could inhibit allergic ractions and prevent stress ulcer in mice. It could teminate early pregnancy.

dan pi 1500g was made into 200ml solution used as nasal drip. Among 140 treated cases, 36 were markedly effective and 86 effective.

5% Paeonol cream for external application, twice daily. 27 cases of acute eczema were treated, 8 cured, 5 markedly effective, 6 improved and 8 ineffective.

Paeonol Injection (10ml each ampoule) for intramuscular, 1~2 times daily for 10 consecutive days. Among 17 treated cases of limb pain and lumbar pain, 10 were markedly effective, 5 improved and 2 ineffective.

dan pi 30~45g, water decoction. After 5 days' treatment, the blood pressure would be lowered.

chai hu, bai shao, dan pi, 10g each; zhi zi, lu jiao jiao, 15g each; sheng huang qi, 15~20g; pu gong ying 20~30g. 11 cases of mastitis were treated and all were effective.

dan shen, ze xie, bi xie, pu gong ying, 15g each; dan pi, qing pi, wang bu liu xing, 9g each; huang bo, chi shao, chuan shan jia, ze lan, 10g each; tao ren, wu yao, 7g each; bai jiang cao, 30g. 1 dose daily, water decoction, 1 months as a course of treatment. Among 136 treated cases, 125 were effective.

pu gong ying, zi hua di ding, 30g each; kuan dong hua, zhi ke, xiang fu, chi shao, dan pi, tao ren, dang gui, huo ren, 10g each; mu xiang 6g; gua lou 15g; da huang 3g. Water decoction. 43 out of 46 treated cases were effective.

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998