PEONIES: Comparative Study by Anatomy and TLC of Three Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plants

F. El Babili, M. El Babili, I. Fouraste, C. Chatelain

Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Laboratoire de BOTANIQUE, Toulouse, France.
Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Toulouse, France.
Université Claude Bernard, Lyon I, Institut Michel Pacha, La Seyne sur Mer, France.

DOI: 10.4236/cm.2013.44020                

Abstract

Anatomical and TLC study of three Chinese peonies were conducted to make a comparative analysis. Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa (tree peony), Paeonia lactiflora (Chinese peony) and Paeonia veitchii (Chinese peony)) are traditionally used on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Recent studies have shown that the peonies have different pharmacological activities and clinical applications. To distinguish these three species of peonies and ensure the safety and effectiveness in their use, the microscopic characteristics and chromatographic profile of their roots and the corresponding powder were studied. Plant materials sectioned and stained and the raw powder were studied with an optical microscope using standard techniques in microscopy. The results of microscopic features and TLC were described and illustrated. The three species have different microscopic characteristics and TLC profiles, which allow us to distinguish them. In fact, with the help of features semi-quantitative and qualitative, an identification key was developed in our work and illustrated with photos and a table. The aim of our work was to show that the optical microscopy and related techniques provide a achievable practicality, which can be applied without ambiguity to the authentication of species peonies.

Keywords

Peonies; Microscopic Identification; TLC; P. suffructicosa; P. lactiflora; P. vetchii

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. Foster and C. X. Yue, “Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West,” Healing Arts Press, Rochester, 1992, pp. 200-207.
[2]	M. Blumenthal, “The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines,” Integrative Medicine Communications, Newton, 1998, p. 364.
[3]	D. Bensky, A. Gamble and T. Kaptchuk, “Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica,” Revised Edition, Eastland Press, Seattle, 1993, pp. 70-71,277-278,331-332.
[4]	J. Liu, “Effect of Paeonia Obovata 801 on Metabolism of Thromboxane B2 and Arachidonic Acid and on Platelet Aggregation in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Cerebral Thrombosis,” Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih, Vol. 63, 1983, pp. 477-481.
[5]	T. L. Guo and X. W. Zhou, “Clinical Observations on the Treatment of the Gestational Hypertension Syndrome with Angelica and Paeonia Powder,” Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih, Vol. 6, 1986, pp. 714-716,707.
[6]	D. G. Yang, “Comparison of Preand Post-Treatment Hepatohistology with Heavy Dosage of Paeonia Rubra on Chronic Active Hepatitis Caused Liver Fibrosis,” Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih, Vol. 14, 1994, pp. 207-209,195.
[7]	C. B. Wang and A. M. Chang, “Plasma Thromboxane B2 Changes in Severe Icteric Hepatitis Treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine—Dispelling the Pathogenic Heat from Blood, Promoting Blood Circulation and Administrating Large Doses of Radix Paeoniae—A Report of 6 Cases,” Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih, Vol. 5, 1985, pp. 326-328,322.
[8]	B. Boullard, “Dictionnaire des Plantes Médicinales du Monde: Réalités & Croyances,” Estem, 2001.
[9]	R. Mirande, “Sur le Carmin Aluné et son Emploi, Combiné avec celui du vert D’iode, en Histologie végétale,” CR Academic Science, Vol. 170, 1920, pp. 197-199.
[10]	“European Pharmacopoeia (in Force),” Maison Neuve Moulins, les Metz.
[11]	A. Speranza and G. L. Calzoni, “Atlas de la structure des plantes,” Belin, 2005, pp. 125-203.
[12]	Z. Y. Chen, Y. T. Chen and D. H. Wang, “HPLC Determination of Salidroside in the Roots of Rhodiola Plants,” China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, Vol. 11, 2006, pp. 939-941.