He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) root is not a significant source of macronutrients in typical supplemental doses (3–9g dried root/day), but contains notable bioactive compounds. Stilbenes: trans-resveratrol (~0.02–0.1mg/g dried root) and its glycoside polydatin (~1–5mg/g). Anthraquinones: emodin (~0.5–2mg/g) and physcion (~0.3–1.5mg/g), with emodin being hepatotoxically relevant at high doses; processing (Zhi He Shou Wu, prepared with black bean soup) significantly reduces free anthraquinone content by ~50–70% compared to raw root. Stilbene glycosides: 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG, the primary bioactive marker compound) at approximately 1.0–2.5mg/g in raw root, often standardized to ≥1.0% in commercial extracts. Phospholipids: lecithin-type compounds (~3–5mg/g). Tannins and proanthocyanidins: catechin and epicatechin derivatives (~5–15mg/g). Minerals: iron (~12–18mg/100g dried root), zinc (~2–4mg/100g), manganese (~3–6mg/100g), calcium (~80–120mg/100g). Fiber: crude fiber approximately 8–12% of dried root weight, primarily insoluble. Protein: approximately 4–7% of dried weight, nutritionally insignificant at supplemental doses. Bioavailability notes: THSG has moderate oral bioavailability (~20–40%), enhanced by gut microbiota conversion to aglycone forms; anthraquinones are poorly absorbed but active in the colon; fat-soluble stilbenes benefit from co-administration with dietary fats; prepared (Zhi) form alters the phytochemical ratio, reducing hepatotoxic anthraquinone fractions while retaining THSG levels.