Insight into Seasonal Change of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, and Anti-Aging Activities of Root Bark of Paeonia suffruticosa (Cortex Moutan) Combined with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Chemical compositions, antioxidants, and anti-aging activities of Cortex Moutan (CM), from different collection periods and different producing areas, were measured and compared in order to obtain excellent CM extracts. The bioactivities of CM extracts were examined by an in vitro antioxidant method and a UVB irradiated human dermal fibroblast (HDF) model. Phytochemical properties were obtained from ultra-fast liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UFLC-Q-TOF-MS) prior to the multivariate statistical analysis. As for the results, the extracts of Heze CM (HZCM) and Luoyang CM (LYCM) collected in June had better in vitro antioxidant activities, significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), compared to other CM extracts. HZCM and LYCM extracts could upregulate the relative expression of SOD and GSH-Px mRNA. The extract of HZCM collected in June could significantly repress the production of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and improve the production of procollagen type I (PCOL)-I in UVB irradiated HDF. In total, 50 compounds, including 17 monoterpenoids, 19 flavonoids, 13 phenols, and 1 amino acid were identified or tentatively identified in the CM extracts. Gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, 1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloyl glucose, and paeonol were predominant compounds in the CM extracts. Taken together, CM collected from April to September had better antioxidant and anti-aging effects for external usage.

Automated summary

The research compared the chemical compositions, antioxidants, and anti-aging activities of Cortex Moutan (CM) collected from different periods and locations, finding that extracts from Heze CM and Luoyang CM collected in June showed better antioxidant and anti-aging effects. These extracts increased SOD and GSH-Px activities, reduced MDA levels, and upregulated expression of SOD and GSH-Px mRNA, resulting in improved skin resilience against aging.