Shakuyakukanzoto (Peony and Licorice)

Shakuyakukanzoto is a standardized Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formula composed of two primary herbs: Paeonia lactiflora (Peony root / Shakuyaku) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice root / Kanzoto), typically in a 1:1 ratio by dry weight. It is not consumed as a food source, so macronutrient content is pharmacologically negligible in standard dosing (2.5–5g extract per day). Key bioactive compounds include: Paeoniflorin (from Peony root, primary active monoterpene glycoside, approximately 2–4% of dry root weight, ~20–40mg per 2.5g extract dose) — exhibits muscle-relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties; Albiflorin (co-occurring with paeoniflorin, ~0.5–1% dry weight) — contributes to analgesic effects; Benzoylpaeoniflorin and Oxypaeoniflorin (minor constituents, <0.5% dry weight) — antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles; Glycyrrhizin (from Licorice root, triterpenoid saponin, approximately 2–6% of dry root weight, ~20–50mg per 2.5g extract dose) — potent anti-inflammatory, inhibits 11-beta-HSD enzyme, modulates cortisol metabolism; Glycyrrhetic acid (metabolite of glycyrrhizin post-gut metabolism, bioavailability significantly higher than parent compound due to gut microbial conversion); Liquiritin and Isoliquiritin (flavonoid glycosides, ~0.5–1.5% dry weight) — antispasmodic and estrogenic-modulatory activity; Liquiritigenin (aglycone of liquiritin, selective ERβ agonist, relevant to hormonal modulation); Glabridin (prenylated isoflavonoid, trace levels ~0.1–0.3% in root extract) — antioxidant and skin-brightening properties. Mineral content (per standard 2.5g extract): Potassium (~15–30mg), Calcium (~10–20mg), Magnesium (~5–10mg), trace Iron and Zinc. Fiber content is minimal in extract form (<0.2g per dose). Protein is negligible (<0.1g per dose). Bioavailability notes: Paeoniflorin exhibits relatively low oral bioavailability (~3–5%) due to poor intestinal absorption, but gut microbiota convert it to more bioavailable aglycone metabolites including paeonimetabolin-I; Glycyrrhizin is hydrolyzed to glycyrrhetic acid by intestinal bacteria with substantially improved absorption; co-administration of the two herbs has been shown to enhance mutual bioavailability through synergistic pharmacokinetic interactions, consistent with traditional formulation rationale.