Rheum rhabarbarum
Rheum rhabarbarum, commonly known as rhubarb, is a versatile medicinal plant valued for its potent therapeutic properties. Primarily utilized in traditional medicine, its roots contain anthraquinone glycosides, which act as effective laxatives. Beyond digestive support, rhubarb offers antioxidant benefits, making it a significant botanical resource in herbal pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Rheum rhabarbarum
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, its taxonomic lineage places it in the family Polygonaceae and 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 diverse geographical range extending across several key regions of the Eurasian continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is notably documented throughout the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving eastward, the species can be found within the vast landscapes of Central European Russia. Its distribution continues into East European Russia, further establishing its reach across the continent. Finally, the plant is found in the Siberian regions, specifically within Buryatiya and the area of Chita.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Central European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | East European Russia | WCVP |
| Siberia | Buryatiya | WCVP |
| Siberia | Chita | WCVP |
| Siberia | Irkutsk | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
Chemicals
Rheum rhabarbarum has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 75 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, anthraquinones, Rhein.
- Total chemicals
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 75
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhein | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| emodin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| aloe-emodin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Rhein | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chrysophanol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| physcion | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhapontigenin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| (-)-epicatechin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Rheum rhabarbarum has 4 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiproteinuric, Cardioprotective, Estrogenic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiproteinuric | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Estrogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rheum rhabarbarum has 32 reported medicinal uses identified across 37 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include chronic renal failure, constipation, inflammation, renal failure, Alzheimer's disease.
- Total uses
- 32
- Scientific sources
- 37
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| chronic renal failure | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| renal failure | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LDL-cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acute lung injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |