Polygala Tenuifolia Extract

Polygala Tenuifolia Extract

Main Active Ingredients:
Onjisaponins / Tenuifolin| Assay: 20%–50% Saponins (HPLC) or Tenuifolin ≥2% (ChP 2020) | Polygala tenuifolia Willd. Root (Yuan Zhi 远志)
Application: cognitive & memory support supplements | nootropic stacks | mood & stress-support formulations | TCM formula ingredients | adaptogenic blends | nutraceutical ingredient applications
MOQ: 1KG
Certifications: FDA Registered Facility, GMP, ISO, Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO

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Bulk Polygala tenuifolia Extract Supplier — Yuan Zhi, Onjisaponins & Tenuifolin Standardized, B2B Wholesale

Written by Jonathan, Valeherb · Reviewed by Dr. Xiaoyan Qiu · Updated June 2026

Valeherb supplies Polygala tenuifolia extract bulk wholesale — standardized Yuan Zhi (远志) root extract — across multiple potency grades, with onjisaponin, tenuifolin, and total saponin specifications available for cognitive supplement, nootropic stack, and TCM formula formulation. Derived from the dried root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd., this ingredient has over 2,000 years of documented use in traditional Chinese medicine for memory and mental clarity support, and an increasingly well-characterized modern evidence base for its multi-mechanism neuroprotective and cholinergic activity.

On this page: active compound profile, available grades, research background, formulation applications, sourcing criteria, and regulatory guidance.

Active Compounds: Three Compound Classes, Three Mechanisms

Polygala tenuifolia root contains three primary bioactive compound classes whose activities are complementary and partially independent — making whole-root standardised extract preferable to any single isolated compound:

Compound Class Key Compounds Studied Activity
Triterpenoid Saponins (Onjisaponins) Onjisaponins A, B, E, F, G (dominant); tenuigenin Neuroprotection via NGF upregulation in astrocyte models; amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation inhibition; hippocampal neuron protection studied in preclinical research[1]
Xanthone Glycosides Polygalaxanthone III; 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone Antidepressant activity via monoamine neurotransmitter modulation studied in preclinical research; anxiolytic effects; HPA axis modulation
Oligosaccharide Esters (Tenuifolin / DISS) 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS/tenuifolin) — ChP 2020 marker AChE inhibition (acetylcholine preservation); antioxidant activity; antidepressant-like activity via MAO inhibition and HPA axis modulation studied in animal models[2][4]
SOURCING NOTE
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP 2020) standardises Polygala tenuifolia root extract using tenuifolin (3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose) as the primary quantitative marker — a specific oligosaccharide ester, not a saponin. Many commercial extracts are standardised to “total saponins” by colorimetric method, which measures a different compound class. Valeherb supplies both ChP tenuifolin-standardised extract and total saponin-standardised grades, and can advise on which specification aligns with your application and target market regulatory requirements.

Available Grades and Specifications

Grade Active Content Typical Application
Standard Root Powder Total saponins 5–10% TCM-format supplements, herbal blends, traditional tonic formulas
Mid-Potency Extract (Saponin) 20–30% total saponins by HPLC Mainstream cognitive and memory support capsules; nootropic blends
ChP-Compliant Extract Tenuifolin ≥2% by HPLC (ChP 2020 standard) China domestic market; export formulations requiring ChP documentation; clinical-referenced cognitive supplements
High-Potency Extract 40–50% total saponins by HPLC Concentrated nootropic stacks; low-dose capsule applications; premium cognitive formulas

Research Background

The activity described below is reported in published research. It is provided as scientific context for formulators, not as claims for any Valeherb product.

1. Memory and Cognitive Function

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Shin et al. (2009) enrolled 53 healthy elderly subjects. Subjects receiving BT-11 — a standardized Polygala tenuifolia root extract — for 12 weeks showed improved scores on the CERAD cognitive assessment battery compared to placebo, including word list recognition, constructional recall, and modified Boston naming tests, with no significant adverse events reported.[3] This is among the published human trials for this ingredient and provides relevant clinical reference context for memory support positioning, noting that the study was limited in size (n=53) and study duration.

2. Neuroprotection: NGF Upregulation

Yabe et al. (2003) investigated the neuroprotective fractions of Ninjin-yoei-to — a 14-herb Kampo formula containing Polygala tenuifolia — in cultured rat astrocytes. Among the formula’s 14 component herbs, the roots of Polygala tenuifolia and Panax ginseng extracts most significantly increased NGF levels. Specifically, onjisaponins A, B, E, F, and G — the major saponins of P. tenuifolia root — strongly increased NGF production in the in vitro model, providing a mechanistic basis for the saponin fraction’s neuroprotective positioning.[1]

3. Antidepressant-Like Activity

Hu et al. (2011) investigated the effects of DISS (3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose) from Polygala tenuifolia roots in a chronic mild stress (CMS) rat model. DISS significantly inhibited MAO-A and MAO-B activity, reduced elevated cortisol levels (an HPA axis indicator), and increased antioxidant enzyme (SOD) activity — with the authors proposing these as possible mechanisms for the observed antidepressant-like behavioral effects in the animal model.[2]

Formulation Applications

  • Nootropic and cognitive supplement capsules: 20–40% saponin extract or ChP tenuifolin-standardised grade at 200–500 mg per serving. Pairs with lion’s mane extract (NGF/BDNF support), Bacopa monnieri (cholinergic support), and phosphatidylserine for comprehensive multi-mechanism cognitive stacks
  • Memory support for aging populations: Clinically referenced positioning with the Shin et al. 2009 RCT as primary substantiation — one of the few botanical nootropics with a published double-blind RCT in healthy older adults
  • Mood and cognitive dual-function formulas: Xanthone and oligosaccharide ester fractions support anxiety and mood positioning alongside cognitive claims — a commercially viable dual positioning increasingly common in premium brain health supplements
  • TCM-format practitioner supplements: Standard root powder or ChP-compliant extract in Yuan Zhi tonic formulas; ChP 2020 compliance documentation available

Sourcing Criteria

Criterion What to Require
Standardisation Marker Specify tenuifolin (for ChP 2020 compliance) or total saponins (for general nootropic applications). These are different compound classes — confirm which is being quantified on the COA
HPLC Method HPLC-verified active content per batch. Colorimetric total saponin methods are less specific — request HPLC method confirmation for premium applications
ChP 2020 Compliance Radix Polygalae (远志) has a standardised ChP 2020 monograph using tenuifolin as quantitative marker. Required for China domestic market; preferred for export documentation
Third-Party COA Active compound content (HPLC), heavy metals (USP <232>), pesticide residues, microbial limits (USP <2021>), moisture — per production batch from accredited laboratory
Certifications Non-GMO, Kosher/Halal for relevant markets; FDA-registered facility for US supplement supply chains
CAUTION
Polygala tenuifolia extract is generally well-tolerated at standard supplement doses in published clinical literature. Key label considerations: GI discomfort (nausea, stomach upset) is the most consistently reported adverse effect across published clinical trials — typically dose-dependent and manageable with food co-administration; mandatory label disclosure recommended. Theoretical AChE inhibitory interaction with pharmaceutical cholinesterase inhibitor medications (donepezil, rivastigmine) — precautionary disclosure for individuals on these medications. Not recommended during pregnancy due to insufficient controlled clinical data. Traditional TCM contraindication in individuals with gastric ulcer — relevant for products with traditional medicine positioning.

Regulatory Guidance

  • US (DSHEA): Memory support, cognitive function, and mood support structure/function claims are supportable with published clinical and mechanistic data — each must be self-substantiated by the marketer and carry the required FDA disclaimer. Alzheimer’s disease treatment claims are prohibited without NDA
  • China (ChP 2020): Radix Polygalae (远志) is a listed medicinal herb with standardised monograph — tenuifolin as quantitative marker. Required for domestic China market
  • EU: Not on EU authorized health claims register. Traditional use status may apply in some member states — confirm with regulatory counsel
  • Canada (NHPs): Yuan Zhi (Polygala root) has a licensed Health Canada monograph supporting cognitive function claims

References

[1] Yabe T, Tuchida H, Kiyohara H, Takeda T, Yamada H. (2003). Induction of NGF synthesis in astrocytes by onjisaponins of Polygala tenuifolia, constituents of kampo medicine, Ninjin-yoei-to. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(2-3):106-114. doi: 10.1078/094471103321659799

[2] Hu Y, Liu M, Liu P, Guo DH, Wei RB, Rahman K. (2011). Possible mechanism of the antidepressant effect of 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose from Polygala tenuifolia Willd. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2011;63(6):869-874. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01281.x

[3] Shin KY, Lee JY, Won BY, Jung HY, Chang KA, Koppula S, Suh YH. (2009). BT-11 is effective for enhancing cognitive functions in the elderly humans. Neuroscience Letters. 2009;465(2):157-159. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.08.033

[4] Liu P, Hu Y, Guo DH, Lu BR, Rahman K, Mu LH, et al. (2010). Antioxidant activity of oligosaccharide ester extracted from Polygala tenuifolia roots in senescence-accelerated mice. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2010;48(7):828-833. doi: 10.3109/13880200903283707

Reviewed byDr. Xiaoyan QiuBotanical Extract R&D Engineer · Associate Professor, Huaihua University. Research focus: medicinal plant resources, botanical extraction processes, and microbial fermentation technology.
Written byJonathanContent Editor, Valeherb. Specializing in botanical ingredient science communication for B2B nutraceutical and functional food markets.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All health-related statements reference published peer-reviewed research and are not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products must comply with applicable regulations in the buyer’s jurisdiction. © 2026 Valeherb. All rights reserved.

FAQ

A1:These are two different compound classes measured by different methods. Tenuifolin (3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose) is an oligosaccharide ester — not a saponin — and is the marker used in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP 2020) monograph for Radix Polygalae. Total saponin standardization measures the triterpenoid onjisaponin fraction, which has a different mechanism and different research background, principally related to NGF upregulation. For China domestic market or ChP-compliant export documentation, tenuifolin ≥2% by HPLC is the required specification. For general nootropic supplement formulations targeting the saponin-based research literature, total saponin grades (20–50%) are typically specified. Always confirm which compound class your COA is measuring.
A2:The primary human trial is Shin et al. (2009, Neuroscience Letters), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 53 healthy elderly subjects. Subjects receiving BT-11 — a standardized Polygala tenuifolia root extract — for 12 weeks showed improved scores on the CERAD cognitive battery compared to placebo, with no significant adverse events. This is the most directly relevant published clinical reference for DSHEA memory support structure/function claims. The study was limited to 53 participants and was published as a letter (2 pages) — formulation teams should document this context in their substantiation files alongside the published preclinical and mechanistic evidence.
A3:These are complementary cognitive ingredients commonly combined in multi-mechanism nootropic stacks. Lion’s mane contributes erinacine/hericenone-mediated NGF and BDNF induction, which overlaps mechanistically with the onjisaponin fraction’s NGF-upregulating activity — creating potential additive neuroprotective activity. Bacopa monnieri contributes bacosides-mediated cholinergic support, which complements the tenuifolin (DISS) fraction’s AChE inhibitory activity. Phosphatidylserine is a common fourth addition for membrane-support positioning. Each ingredient must be independently substantiated for any structure/function claim made on the finished product.
A4:GI discomfort — primarily nausea and stomach upset — is the most consistently reported adverse effect across published clinical trials and is dose-dependent. The standard mitigation is food co-administration, which reduces GI incidence significantly. This should be included on finished product labels. A second precautionary disclosure is the theoretical AChE inhibitory interaction with pharmaceutical cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) — relevant for products marketed toward aging adults where prescription AChE inhibitor use is common.

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