Polygonum multiflorum | Supplementopedia

Overview

Polygonum multiflorum (also known as He Shou Wu or “fo-ti”) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to East Asia whose dried rhizome is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The primary purpose of modern supplementation is to harness its rich array of stilbenes and anthraquinones for antioxidant, neuro‑protective, and metabolic support.

Benefits

Cognitive Function and Neuroprotection: May enhance cognitive function and protect against age‑related neuronal loss via antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory pathways.
Hepatic Health: Supports hepatic health by reducing oxidative stress and modulating liver enzymes.
Lipid Profile Improvement: Improves lipid profiles (decreased LDL‑C, increased HDL‑C) and modestly improves fasting glucose.
Hair Growth Promotion: Promotes hair growth through up‑regulation of dermal papilla cell proliferation.
Anti-Fatigue Effects: Exhibits anti‑fatigue effects by preserving mitochondrial ATP production.
Skin Health: Meta‑analyses of traditional‑use studies report modest improvements in skin elasticity and anti-aging skin markers, though larger controlled trials are still needed.

How It Works

Nrf2 Pathway Activation: The bioactive compounds—chiefly the stilbene glucoside 2,3,5,4′‑tetrahydroxystilbene‑2‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside (THSG) and the anthraquinone emod‑in—activate the nuclear factor erythroid‑2‑related factor‑2 (Nrf2) pathway, leading to up‑regulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase).
NF-κB Inhibition: THSG also inhibits NF‑κB signaling, reducing pro‑inflammatory cytokine release.
α-Glucosidase Inhibition and PPAR Modulation: Emodin and other anthraquinones inhibit α‑glucosidase and modulate PPAR‑α/γ, supporting glucose and lipid metabolism.
SIRT1 Pathway Interaction: Both compounds interact with the sirtuin‑1 (SIRT1) pathway, enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and improving cellular energy balance.
Overall Effects: Together, these actions confer neuro‑protective, hepatoprotective, and anti‑aging effects.

Dosage

Standard Dosage: Standardized Polygonum multiflorum extracts are typically dosed at 300–600 mg of dried rhizome equivalent per day, divided into two doses with meals.
Standardization: Extracts standardized to ≥30 % THSG or ≥0.5 % emodin are common.
Cognitive and Metabolic Support: A 400 mg daily dose of a 30 % THSG extract (≈120 mg THSG) is widely used for cognitive and metabolic support.
Hair Growth Protocols: For hair‑growth protocols, 500–800 mg/day divided into two doses is typical.
Titration: Users should start with the low end (300 mg) and titrate up over 2–4 weeks.
Liver Protection Trials: In clinical trials for liver protection, 600 mg/day for 12 weeks has been studied.
Individual Adjustments: Adjustments may be required for elderly or hepatic‑impaired individuals.

Safety & Side Effects

General Tolerance: Polygonum multiflorum is generally well tolerated at recommended doses.
Hepatotoxicity Risk: Hepatotoxicity has been reported, especially with raw, unprocessed root or excessive doses (>1 g/day).
Contraindications: Contraindicated in pre‑existing liver disease, pregnancy, lactation, and children under 12 y.
Adverse Events: Known adverse events include mild gastrointestinal upset, rash, and rare allergic dermatitis.
Drug Interactions:
- Potentiates anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents (e.g., warfarin) due to possible platelet‑aggregation inhibition.
- May affect CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., statins) via enzyme inhibition.
Monitoring: Regular liver‑function monitoring is advised for continuous use beyond 12 weeks, and supplementation should be stopped if liver enzymes rise >2× ULN.

Chemistry

2,3,5,4′‑Tetrahydroxystilbene‑2‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside (THSG):
- C₂₀H₂₄O₉; a stilbene glucoside with a phenolic backbone and a β‑D‑glucose moiety, conferring high antioxidant capacity.
Emod‑in:
- C₁₅H₁₀O₅; an anthraquinone possessing three hydroxyl groups and a methyl group, responsible for anti-inflammatory and enzyme‑inhibitory activity.
Solubility: Both compounds are polyphenolic, highly aromatic, and display poor water solubility but are soluble in ethanol/water mixtures.
Other Constituents: The rhizome also contains flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) and polysaccharides that contribute to immunomodulatory effects.

Sources & Quality

Cultivation: Polygonum multiflorum is cultivated chiefly in the Hunan, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces of China; wild‑grown specimens also occur in Japan and Korea.
Harvesting: Commercial supplements are derived from the dried rhizome, harvested after 3–5 years of growth, washed, and sliced.
Extraction: Extraction is most often performed with 70 % ethanol or hot water, followed by spray‑drying to produce powders or encapsulated extracts.
Quality Standards: Quality standards demand ≥30 % THSG or ≥0.5 % emodin, heavy‑metal limits (<10 ppm Pb, As, Cd, Hg), and DNA‑barcode verification to prevent adulteration with other Polygonaceae species.
Manufacturing Practices: GMP‑certified facilities and third‑party testing are essential for product consistency.