Rheum australe
Rheum australe, commonly known as Southern Rhubarb, is a resilient perennial herb native to specific alpine and subalpine regions. Distinguished by its robust leaves and characteristic rhizomes, this medicinal plant is valued in traditional ethnobotany for its bioactive compounds, often utilized for their digestive and anti-inflammatory therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Rheum australe
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Caryophyllales, it falls under the family Polygonaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rheum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Polygonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rheum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several high-altitude regions of Asia. In China, it is specifically found growing within the Tibet region. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it inhabits the East Himalaya and the West Himalaya. Furthermore, the species can be located throughout the mountainous terrain of Nepal. Finally, it is also documented to occur within the territory of Pakistan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Chemicals
Rheum australe has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include aloe-emodin, anthraquinones, chrysophanol, emodin, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aloe-emodin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chrysophanol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| emodin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physcion | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-hydroxy-2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-trans-feruloyl tyramine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Rheum australe has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rheum australe has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include infectious diseases, antidiabetic, antioxidant.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| infectious diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |