Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) Research

Latin Name: Rheum palmatum

GENERAL

ANTI-CANCER

Emodin, aloe-emodin, and rhein are three anthraquinones of rhubarb that possess promising anti-cancer properties. From: Huang, Q., Lu, G., Shen, H. M., Chung, M., & Ong, C. N. (2007). Anti‐cancer properties of anthraquinones from rhubarb. Medicinal research reviews, 27(5), 609-630.
Emodin (as found in Chinese rhubarb) induced apoptosis in human tongue cancer cells. From: Lin, S. Y., Lai, W. W., Ho, C. C., Yu, F. S., Chen, G. W., Yang, J. S., … & Chung, J. G. (2009). Emodin induces apoptosis of human tongue squamous cancer SCC-4 cells through reactive oxygen species and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Anticancer research, 29(1), 327-335.
Emodin (as found in Chinese rhubarb) was cytotoxic against human multiple myeloma cells. From: Muto, A., Hori, M., Sasaki, Y., Saitoh, A., Yasuda, I., Maekawa, T., … & Kizaki, M. (2007). Emodin has a cytotoxic activity against human multiple myeloma as a Janus-activated kinase 2 inhibitor. Molecular cancer therapeutics, 6(3), 987-994.

ANTIVIRAL

Anthraquinones from the following plants inactivated the Herpes I virus: Rheum officinale (rhubarb), Aloe barbadensis (aloe), Rhamnus frangula (alder buckthorn), Rhamnus purshianus (cascara buckthorn), and Cassia angustifolia (senna). Other virus species were also affected by these plants in varying amounts. From: Sydiskis, R. J., Owen, D. G., Lohr, J. L., Rosler, K. H., & Blomster, R. N. (1991). Inactivation of enveloped viruses by anthraquinones extracted from plants. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 35(12), 2463-2466.
Emodin was effective against Herpes 1 and 2 in vitro and in vivo. From: Xiong, H. R., Luo, J., Hou, W., Xiao, H., & Yang, Z. Q. (2011). The effect of emodin, an anthraquinone derivative extracted from the roots of Rheum tanguticum, against herpes simplex virus in vitro and in vivo. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 133(2), 718-723.
The combined topical sage-rhubarb preparation was more effective than aciclovir in treating Herpes labialis. From: Saller, R., Büechi, S., Meyrat, R., & Schmidhauser, C. (2001). Combined herbal preparation for topical treatment of Herpes labialis. Forschende Komplementärmedizin/Research in Complementary Medicine, 8(6), 373-382.

DIGESTIVE AID

Turkey rhubarb reduced upper digestive tract bleeding in 97% of 400 cases. From: Dong-hai, J., Yu-hua, M., Shou-jing, C., Chuen-tang, L., Hung-nien, S., & Chang-min, C. (1980). Resume of 400 cases of acute upper digestive tract bleeding treated by rhubarb alone. Pharmacology, 20(Suppl. 1), 128-130.

REDUCED PANCREATITIS

Severe acute pancreatitis was reduced with rhubarb, likely by reducing inflammation in rats. From: Zhao, Y. Q., Liu, X. H., Ito, T., & Qian, J. M. (2004). Protective effects of rhubarb on experimental severe acute pancreatitis. World journal of gastroenterology, 10(7), 1005-1009.

REDUCED KIDNEY DISEASE

The use of chinese herbs including astragalus, angelica, and rhubarb in kidney disease was discussed. From: Li, X., & Wang, H. (2005). Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Advances in chronic kidney disease, 12(3), 276-281.
Rhubarb improved renal function in rats with renal failure. From: YOKOZAWA, T., FUJIOKA, K., OURA, H., NONAKA, G. I., & NISHIOKA, I. (1993). Effects of rhubarb tannins on renal function in rats with renal failure. The Japanese Journal of Nephrology, 35(1), 13-18.

ORAL HEALTH

This article reviews plants used in oral health and includes pomegranate, German chamomile, green tea, Diospyros mespiliformis, Diospyros lycioides, Salvadora persica, honey and propolis from the manuka tree, rhubarb, raisins, essential oils (thyme, cajuput, manuka, and verbena), probiotics and mushrooms. From: Chinsembu, K. C. (2016). Plants and other natural products used in the management of oral infections and improvement of oral health. Acta Tropica, 154, 6-18.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/13/19