This plant contains anthraquinones: emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein, chrysophanol anthrone; stilbenes: resveratrol, piceid, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-2′′-O-monogalloyl ester, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-3′′-O-monogalloyl ester; gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, [3-O-galloyl(-)-catechin], [3-O-galloyl(-)-epicatechin], 3-O-galloyl-procyanidin, 3,3′-di-O-galloyl-procyanidin, β-sitosterol, lecithin ^[1].

    It also contains p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, torachrysone-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxysilbene-2-O-β-D- glucopyranoside, 2,3,5,4′- tetrahydroxysilbene -2,3-二-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (5), n-butyl-β-D-fructopyranoside, 1,3-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethylxanthone-1-O-β-D- glucopyranoside ^[2].

1. The role of the central nervous system: Polygonum multiflorum extracts can inhibit the decline in the activity of superoxide dismutase in the male rat brain ischemia-reperfusion injury, prevent malondialdehyde, nitric oxide increases, get rid of excess oxygen free radicals and protect from brain ischemia-reperfusion injury [1]. Polygonum multiflorum can make a significant improvement in learning and memory capacity of D-galactose induced aging rats, synaptic calcium ion concentration markedly reduced, the gray value of p38 protein kinase (P38) also significantly lower than the older model group, and Polygonum multiflorum may be through inhibition of synaptic calcium ion overload and improve the content of P38 to play a role in anti puzzle[2]; Polygonum multiflorum can reduce brain lipofuscin content and monoamine oxidase activity, improve the activity of brain superoxide dismutase, catalase, and hippocampus nitric oxide synthase, and Polygonum multiflorum polysaccharide has the role of anti-experimental dementia [3].

2. Hypolipidemic and anti-atherogenic: Polygonum multiflorum has significant lipid-lowering effect on rabbits, pigeons, rats, quail and many other high-fat animal models. Polygonum multiflorum can make acute hyperlipidemia model of rabbit blood cholesterol more rapidly dropped to near normal levels, 7 days of continuous administration can significantly reduce the plasma total cholesterol. Intragastric administration of Polygonum multiflorum decoction liquid for 7 to 8 days, serum cholesterol levels decreased by 26.9%. 95% ethanol extract of Polygonum multiflorum can increase the ratio of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol in plasma of atherosclerosis model quail, lower content of plasma total cholesterol, cholesterol esters and three acyl glycerol, and have the effect of inhibiting intimal arterial plaque formation and lipid deposition, protecting from atherosclerosis occurrence and development and reducing the severity of aortic lesions [4,5], vitro experiment found that Polygonum multiflorum can be combined with cholesterol, which has been initially regarded as the mechanism of  hypolipemic and anti-artery atherosclerosis l[6]; Polygonum multiflorum can reduce the absorption of rabbit intestinal cholesterol [7]; Polygonum multiflorum contains rich lecithin and can prevent cholesterol deposition in the liver, avoid the class of lipid retention in the serum or infiltration into the arterial intima and reduce atherosclerosis. Lecithin can also be converted to lysolecithin with the activity of inhibiting platelet aggregation and lecithin of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the body to enhance the vessel wall cholesterol esterase activity and inhibit cholesterol esterification of acetyl coenzyme A cholesterol acyl transferase activity. And experiments also demonstrated that Polygonum multiflorum can inhibit adenosine diphosphate induced platelet aggregation hyperlipidemia animals and has fibrinolytic activity to promote the lysis of fibrin [8,9]. Polygonum multiflorum water extracts and ethanol extracts can inhibit the proliferation of rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells, in the experimental concentration the inhibition rate is 16.56 to 86.57% and with the treatment time, the drug concentration increased, the inhibition rate rise too [ 10].

(3) anti-aging: Polygonum multiflorum can prolong the growth cycle of Drosophila diploid cells, the electron microscope can see the formation of fiber type or spindle-shaped outside diploid cells of the treatment group, the form relatively thick and complete and cell surface have a certain number of folds, microvilli and filopodia, these features showed that after the processing of Polygonum multiflorum, cells in the growth of vigorous development. But cells of the control group due to condensation off, surface appears concave gap, showed that cells in the aging and degeneration [11], the anti-aging role of Polygonum multiflorum is a combined effect, in addition to factors involved in lipid-lowering, anti-atherosclerosis, enhancing immune function and promoting protein synthesis of liver, brain and other vital organs, the following roles also related to: (1) increased content of superoxide dismutase (SOD): the content and activity of SOD in the body is closely related to autoimmune diseases, cancer and aging. SOD can eliminate the free radicals,  protect the biofilm from free radical damage. And experimental studies have shown that Polygonum multiflorum can significantly increase SOD levels in aged mice blood, liver and brain tissue. For instance, inter-day medication of Polygonum multiflorum for 7 months can significantly confront SOD reduction of 11-month-old mice and keep it remains closely to the level of 2 month-old mice [12, 13]; Polygonum multiflorum also takes a very significant role in the fight against SOD reduction caused by bupleurum or hydrocortisone to keep the level of normal [16]; the experiment also showed that Polygonum multiflorum can increase reducing glutathione content in the body. In summary, Polygonum multiflorum can increase the body's antioxidant content or improve its activity, accelerate the clearance of superoxide base, reduce lipid oxidation products generated and then to play its anti-damage and aging role [12, 14]; (2) Reduce the activity of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B): MAO has two different types, A and B. Icreased activity of MAO-B is closely related to aging, the activity of MAO-B in the brain increased with age, 45 to 50 years of age, a sharp rise occurs, so inhibition of  the activity of MAO-B in brain is one of the ways to combat age-related diseases and aging. Polygonum multiflorum can significantly inhibit MAO-B activity in aged mice and the inhibitory rate is up to higher than 80% and as a result, the content of monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonine, noradrenaline and dopamine in brain markedly increased [14]; (3) Impact on lipofuscinosis: fed 6-month-old mice with Polygonum multiflorum decoction liquid for 70 days and then killed, lipofuscin of mice myocardial cells is significantly reduced, especially for the male mice, whose lipofuscin  decline to only 19.6% of the control group, the mechanism is related to the Polygonum multiflorum effect of promoting the activity of SOD. To sum up, these effects are initially regarded to make some adjustments to the running of the central aging clock [12, 15].

(4) the role of the circulatory system: intragastric administration of 5g/kg Polygonum multiflorum decoction to rabbit can significantly reduce pituitary vasopressin-induced myocardial ischemia caused ECG T wave height, and confront pituitary vasopressin-induced slow heart rate, but have nothing to do with the pituitary vasopressin-induced arrhythmia [16]. Polygonum multiflorum injection can be a mild increase in coronary flow in isolated rabbit heart, but intravenous injection of Polygonum multiflorum injection have no antagonistic effect on isoproterenol-accelerated rabbit heart [17]. For acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury model, determined SOD in blood, activity of hydrogen peroxide, content of lipid peroxide and infarct size and extent, and the result showed that Polygonum multiflorum extract can protect dog from acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury [18]. Primary monolayer cultures of Wistar neonatal rat cardiac myocytes for 5 days to build "Hypoxic" injury model, and then used chemical and biological detection and histochemical method to study the protective effect of Polygonum multiflorum on hypoxia cultured myocardial cells. At last, the result showed that Polygonum multiflorum has a good protective effect on anoxic myocardial cells [19].

5. On immune function: Polygonum multiflorum significantly delayed thymus atrophy in sexual maturation mice, increased the weight of thymus, improved the number spleen plaque-forming cell, and significantly enhanced proliferation response of Con A-induced thymic and splenic T lymphocyte [20], improveed the capacity of macrophage phagocytic [21], activated T lymphocytes and increased the lymphocyte transformation rate [11]. Using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis to separate serum proteins of mice and found that Polygonum multiflorum can make hydrocortisone or bupleurum induced mice thymic atrophy and the reduction of serum γ-globulin to become more worse [22], but significantly inhibit the humoral immune response of normal animal [23]. In conclusion, mainly through protecting the thymus and enhancing the thymus-dependent T cell function, Polygonum multiflorum can play a role of strengthening the immune and enhancing the body resistance to disease [20, 24].

6. Hepatoprotective: fed rat with high fat diet to duplicate fatty liver model, start from the 21st day, continuously fed with Polygonum multiflorum decoction liquid for 26 days. The result showed that both total cholesterol and triglyceride of every treatment group were significantly diffrent from model group. Liver fatty infiltration of treatment group is better than model group, so Polygonum multiflorum Polygonum multiflorum has certain degree of inhibition of high fat diet caused fatty liver in rats [25].

7. Antibacterial: Polygonum multiflorum and its processing decoction liquid has different inhibition effects on staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus, shigella flexneri, shigella sonnei, salmonella typhi, paratyphoid bacillus B, nessler catarrhal bacteria, diphtheria bacillus, hemolytic streptococcus etc. in vitro experiment; Both fresh and processing Polygonum have a certain degree of antibacterial activity, and the anti-Staphylococcus aureus ability of fresh Polygonum is stronger than processing Polygonum. And the inhibition effects of black bean steamed Polygonum to staphylococcus albus, alcohol steamed Polygonum and radix rehmanniae steamed Polygonum to diphtheriae are better than other processing drugs [26, 27].

1. Treatmentof Type 2 Diabetes Hyperlipidemia:Treatment group take ShouWuKeLi ,heshouwu (Tuber Fleeceflower Root ), 3 times perday, one bag per time, each bag is 3 g. The treatment group were 52 cases ofpatients, 12 cases were powerfully, and 29 cases were effective, the totaleffective rate was 78.85%, it was statistically significant difference compared with controlgroup of taking of simvastatin (P< 0.05)^[1].

2.Treatment of Hypertension:TakingHeShouWuKeLi, heshouwu (Tuber Fleeceflower Root ),3 times per day, one bag per time, each bag is3 g. The treatment group were 54cases of patients, 19 cases were powerfully, and20 cases were effective, the total effective rate was 72.22%^[2].

3.Treatment of Vascular Dementia:Taking HeShouWu tablet,3 times per day, 6 tablet per time,for 12 weeks, Thetreatment group were 40 cases of patients, the results in patients with theMMSE, ADL, the Blessed-Roth and SI ratings have improved significantly (P<0.05); GI and EI scores were greater than 1^[3].

4. Treatment of Saliva Excessive: Every time taking 5 g prepare HeShouWu (Tuber Fleeceflower Root ) with the warm boiling water blunt, 1 1 ~ 2times per day, Twenty patients were all cured, among them 7 cases of drug takingfor 3 days, 5 cases for 2 day, 6 cases for 1 day, 2 cases for 7 days. Cure ratewas 100%^[4].

5. Treatment of Hair Loss: Injecting HeShouWu (Tuber Fleeceflower Root ) injection solution 4ml,intramuscular injection, 1 or 2 times per d, 1 month per treatment course.Treatmentfor all types of hair loss more than 200 cases, recent illness had goodcurative effect. Male pattern hair loss more than patients within one weekeffective, and at the same time the sebaceous glands was secreted decrease,dandruff reduced,hair regeneration more for fine black hair chopped, with thetotal effective rate was 84.5%^[5].

1. Unstopped spontaneous sweating

2. Traumatic bleeding

3. Scrofula with chest pain

4. Soreand ulcer on the whole body with swelling, itching and pain

5. Tinea of feet

6. Blackening hair, strengthening bone and musculature, consolidatingvital essence

7.Malaria

8. Chronic malaria due to qi and blood deficiency

9. Yin deficiency and overabundant heat due to malaria

10. Hematochezia caused by wind toxin in large intestines

11.Chronic scrofula with emaciation, cold and heat caused bystagnated fire in liver meridian failing to be treated

12. Multiplemetastatic abscess on feet, arthralgia, numbness on skin, arthralgia spam onfeet

13. Unable to walk due to pain on waist and knees with itching on thewhole body

14. Itching skin diseases in female, wind stagnation due to prolongeddeficiency, weak limbs, numbness and itching skin, hemorrhoid

1.Congrongtongbian Oral Liquid: fleece flower root, desertlivingcistanche, immature bitter orange（stir-frying with bran）, honey.

2.Niaoduqing Granule: rhubarb, milkvetch root, redsage root, chuanxiong rhizome, fleece flower root(prepared), dangshen, whiteatractylodes rhizome, poria, mulberry bark, flavescent sophora root, plantainherb, pinellia tuber.

Chemical Composition：

[1]State Administration Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Material Medical Editorial Board .Chinese Material Medical .Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific And Technical Publishers,1999,2:671(总1317).

[2]Zhang Zhiguo, Lu Tai Province, Yao Qingqiang. In Polygonum Multiflorum Of Anthraquinone Constituents.China Journal Of Chinese Materia Medica,2006,31(12)1027.

[1]Zhang Yuan-Ying,Zhai Jing,Sun Ling-Yun .Protective Effects Of Tuber Fleeceflower Root Extract On Cerebral Ischemical Reperfusion Injury In Rats. Chinese Journal Of Clinical Rehabilitation,9(33):86.

[2]Zhang Pengxia,Tang Xiaoli,Piao Jinhua,Et Al.Effect Of Polygonum Multiflorum Thunb On Antiaging And Enhancing Cognition Function In D-Gal-Induced-Rats.Chinese Journal Of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2005,20(4):251.

[3]Yang Xiao-Yan.The Effects Of Refined Polygonum Multiflorum Thunb. Polysaccharide On Learning Memory And The Activities Of Enzymes In The Brain For The Experimental Mice With Dementia. Progress In Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2005,29(12):557.

[4]Wang Wei Jing Houde.Effect Of Alcoholic Extract Of Prepared Radix Polygoni Muitiflori On Preventing Atherosclerosis In Japanese Quail.

[5]Wang Wei, Wang Zhenhua, Shi Ti-Ren, Etc..Polygonum Multiflorum On Aged Quail Life Affects Lipid Metabolism. Journal Of Integrated Traditional And Western Medicine,1988,8(4):223.

[6]In The Autonomous Region Hospital, Elderly Medical Conference Information,1964.

[7]Prevention And Treatment Of Coronary Heart Disease Group In Beijing Area.1971 Work Summary Report Data,1971.

[8]He Gaoqin.Polygonum Multiflorum On Adp Induced Hyperlipidemia Animal Model Role. Chinese Pharmacology Communications.1985,8(2):26.

[9]Shenyang Military Region Of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Collaborative Research Group.The Prevention And Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disease Research Exchange Of Experience Data,1975:1.

[10]Liu Yanzhu, Luo Guoan, Long Zhixian.Observation Of Inhibition Of Radix Polygoni Multiflori And Jiemai Granules To Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation. Journal Of Tsinghua University(Science And Technology), 1998,38(12):32.

[11]Yao Mingchun. Anti-Aging Action Of Radix Polygoni Multiflori.Pharmaceutical Bulletin,1984,19(11):668.

[12]Chen Xiaoguang, Cui Zhiyong, Often A, And So On. Polygonum Multiflorum On Aging In Old Mice Indexes.Chinese Herbal Medicines ,1991,22(8):357.

[13].Shi Tiren.Research On The Actin Of Shouwubushen Capsule Against Oxidation.China Journal Of Traditional Chinese Medicine And Pharmacy, 1989,4(2):24.

[14]Dai Yaoren Extract On The Activity Of Mao. The Effects Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Information,1985,(1):12.

[15]Wang Xing-Sheng,Xie Guang-Yan,Shi Xue-Li.The Effect Of Different Kinds Of Chinese Herb Medicine Such As Padix Polygoni Multiflori On Blood Biochemical Indexes In Rats Of Fatty Liver. Journal Of Anhui Traditional Chinese Medical College, 2006,25(5):39.

[16]Liu Bingming .Root On Experimental Myocardial Ischemia In Rabbits Observation Of Preventive Effect.Journal Of Traditional Chinese Medicine,1981,22(2):109.

[17]Wang Yusheng. Application And Pharmacology Of Chinese Medicine. First Edition. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House,1983:533.

[18]Dai Youping; Tang Guohua; Guo Yankun.An Experimental Study On Preventive Effect Of Radix Polygoni Multiflori Extract (Rpme) On Ischemia──Reperfusion Injury In Dog Hearts. Chinese Journal Of Biochemical Pharmaceutics, 1998,19(2):79.

[19]Jin Xiong-Zhe~1,Jin Zheng~2.Experimental Study On The Protective Effects Of Fleeceflower Root To The Anoxic Cultured Cardiac Muscle Cells. Lishizhen Medicine And Materia Medica Research, 2006,17(8):1454.

[20]Zhou Zhi-Wen, Zhou Jin-Huang, Xing Shan-Tian.Effect Of Polygonum Multiflorum Extract (Pm2) On Immune Function Of T, B Lymphocytes In Mice. Pharmacology And Clinics Of Chinese Materia Medica, 1989,5(1):24.

[21]Ye Dingjiang, Zhu Quan, Qi Huilin, Etc..Polygonum Multiflorum And Its Processed Products Of Immune Pharmacology Research.Chinese Materia Medica.1987,12(3):149.

[22]Yao Mingchun.There Are In Mice, Radix Thymus, Adrenal And Superoxide Dismutase (Sod) And The Influence Of The Serum Protein.Chengdu Institute Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal,1983,(4):49.

[23]Zhang Youzheng.China Of Combining Traditional Chinese And Western Medicine Research First The National Congress Of The Members And Academic Discussion Papers In The Assembly,1985:190.

[24]Xiao Pengnian And Yang Yifeng.The Effect Of Immune Drugs On Activity Of Acid Alpha-Maphthyl Acetate Esterase In Guinea Pig T Lymphocytes. Acta Academiae Medicinae Xuzhou, 1988,8(3):192.

[25]Zheng Zhixue, Wang Zanshun, Yang Yuying, Etc..Polygonum Multiflorum On Diploid Cell Function And Trace Element Content Were Observed. Journal Of Gerontology.,1988,8(3):357.

[26]Hanshen Zhen, Li Gongliang, Zhang Concentric, Etc..Different Processed Products Of Radix Polygoni Multiflori In Vitro Bacteriostasis Experiment Research. Chinese Materia Medica,1986,11(3):53.

[27]The Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences Antibacterial Pharmaceutical Institute Working Group.Pharmaceutical Bulletin,1968,8(3):59.

Clinical Trials：

 [1] Ding Ping,Zhu Jian-Ping.Study On The Clinical Therapeutic Effect Of Heshouwu Granula On Type 2 Diabetic Hyperlipemia. Chinese Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology And Therapeutics, 2009 ;14(4):444.

[2] Ding Ping, Zhu Jianping. Heshouwu Granule In Treating Hypertension Clinical Observation. Journal Of Zhejiang University Of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2009,33(4):493.

[3] Tan Peizhen,Yang Qidong,Tan Xinglin,Et Al.Effects Of Polygonum Multiflorum Thumb On Patients With Vascular Dementia. Henan Medical Information, 2002,10（12）:7.

[4] Li Linhu. Treatment Of Saliva Too Much. China’s Naturopathy,2008(3):63.

[5] Wang Haiyan, Li Xuesong, Ma Ying Chuan. Thunb Injection In The Treatment Of Alopecia Curative Effect Observation..Journal Of Traditional Chinese Medicine And Chinese Materia Medica Of Jilin,2001（1）:35.

Toxicology:

 [1]Shen Radix Polygoni Multiflori Processing Bed. Pharmacological Studies.Proprietary Chinese Medicines,1982,(1):21.

[2]Hu Xiqin Yang Honglian Zhang Xiaoqin.Experimental Study On The Toxicology Ofprepared Radix Polygoni Multiflori To The Rats’ Liver. Journal Of Shaanxi College Of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2006,29(3).