Anti-aging and antioxidative ingredients identified in peony flower oil, recent study finds

30 Mar 2022 --- China-based researchers have found antioxidant and anti-aging properties in peony oil. Peony seed oil is also rich in squalene and vitamin E, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, oleic acid and unsaponifiables.

“The content of vitamin E in peony seed oil was also relatively high, reaching 9851 mg/100 g, which was higher than that of sesame oil (200–30.00 mg/100 g), olive oil (5.00–30.00 mg/100 g), camellia oil (24.90 mg/100 g), and wheat germ oil (103.40 mg/100 g),” notes the study. 

With its various nutritional benefits, linoleic acid is an immunity enhancer that has anti-aging, anticancer and antioxidative effects, say researchers.  

Various benefits of polygenic vegetable oil
The study explains that natural vegetable oils derived from fruit, seed, and germ of plants are called polygenic vegetable oils composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids.  

“Polyenoic vegetable oils mainly contain polyenoic acids such as linoleic acid and active ingredients such as vitamin E, phytosterols, mineral elements and squalene.” 

Other oils like “Schisandra oil, kiwi seed oil, grape seed oil, maitake fruit oil, and evening primrose seed oil contain up to 80% or more polyenoic acids.”The aromatic peony flower essential oil are known as “liquid gold” due to their high cost. 

Furthermore, evidence suggests that polygenic vegetable oils delay aging, are anti-inflammatory, provide sun protection, moisturization and slimming effects. 

“They can be widely used in nutritional and healthy edible oils, health food, skincare and cosmetic products and have great prospects for development and utilization,” suggests the researchers.

Antioxidant petal essential oil
Retaining its antioxidant properties, peony flower essential oils are described to be rich in aroma, are natural and has no acute toxicity. 

The study says that 14 different varieties of peony flower essential oils have antioxidant capacities. Of the 14, the yellow and purple peony have the most potent antioxidant capacity as they contain more terpenoids.

“In addition, peony flower essential oil also contains potent components such as phytol, oxygenated linalool, and farnesol. It is speculated that peony flower essential oil may also have anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activity and anticancer potential.” 

“China is rich in polygenic vegetable oil resources. It is a kind of natural functional vegetable oil, which can be widely used in health food, skincare and beauty cosmetics,” describes the study.  

Edited by Venya Patel