Polygala Tenuifolia Extract

Polygala tenuifolia extract, derived from the dried roots of the perennial herb Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Polygalaceae), is a standardized botanical ingredient widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern nutraceuticals for its neuroprotective, cognitive-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its bioactive constituents include triterpenoid saponins such as tenuifolin, onjisaponins, and senegenin, along with polysaccharides and oligosaccharide esters, which collectively modulate neurotransmitter systems, upregulate nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and inhibit amyloid-beta secretion, thereby supporting synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. Preclinical studies demonstrate its efficacy in attenuating neuroinflammation via suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, reducing oxidative stress through free radical scavenging, and inhibiting apoptosis in neuronal and cancerous cells, particularly in ovarian and brain tissues. Clinically, it is employed in formulations targeting age-related cognitive decline, insomnia, neurasthenia, and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, with human trials indicating improved sleep quality, attention span, and emotional resilience without the jitteriness associated with stimulants. The extract is typically standardized to 8–10% total saponins or provided as a 10:1 to 30:1 concentrated powder, produced via solvent extraction from roots cultivated in Shaanxi Province, China, and packaged in vacuum-sealed aluminum foil bags or 25 kg paper drums under GMP conditions. Its stability requires storage in cool, dry, light-protected environments, with a shelf life of two years. Emerging applications extend to cosmeceuticals for anti-senescence and as a green reducing agent in the biosynthesis of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles, leveraging its polyphenolic content.