Phytochemical Investigation and Anticonvulsant Activity of Paeonia parnassica Radix

Abstract

Based on traditional reports of the use of plants of the genus Paeonia in the treatment of epilepsy, we have screened extracts of the roots of three Greek Paeonia species (P. parnassica, P. mascula subsp. hellenica, P. clusii subsp. clusii) for anticonvulsant activity. This led to the identification of some interesting prophylactic anticonvulsant activity of the extracts of P. parnassica. From the roots of this species, seventeen compounds were subsequently isolated and identified. Amongst these, seven contained the characteristic cage-like terpenic skeleton that is found only in plants of the genus Paeonia. Two of the above products: 4-O-methylpaeoniflorin (1) and paeonidanin (2) are described for the first time as natural products. The structures of all compounds have been elucidated on the basis of their spectral data.