Rhubarb, Chinese

Hu R. Lu Y. Dai X. Pan Y. 2010. Screening of antioxidant phenolic compounds in Chinese Rhubarb eombining fast counter-eurrent chromatography fractionation and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. J. Sep. Sei. 33 1595-1603. 

Solarium fympersicum tomato - Tanacetum vulgare tansy - Taraxacum officirude dandelion - Rheum pedmatum Chinese rhubarb (with ) - Verbascum thapsiprme mullein. 

Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum, family Polygonaceae)... 

Turkey rhubarb Chinese rhubarb formerly Imoorted through Turkey. 

Although not used in medicine, the leaf blade of Chinese rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which can cause precipitation of calcium oxalate in the renal tubules, thus causing kidney failure (Bensky et al. 2004). 

Some compounds in Chinese rhubarb produce a purgative action. These compounds are highly sensitive to heat and may be removed by different forms of processing (Chen and Chen 2004). 

Gastrointestinal cramping may occur during Chinese rhubarb use (Wichtl 2004). Metabolites of Chinese rhubarb may cause the urine to have a red-brown or bright yellow coloration (Wichtl 2004). Side effects of nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite have been reported (Bensky et al. 2004). 

Concomitant use of Chinese rhubarb is cautioned with antiarrhythmic drugs and botanicals containing cardiac glycosides, as long-term use of Chinese rhubarb as a laxative can cause potassium loss, leading to increased toxicity of those drugs and botanicals (Drinker 2001 De Smet 1993 ESCOP 2003). 

Overdoses of Chinese rhubarb can cause a toxic reaction, especially if the fresh herb is used. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal colic, and jaundice. Long-term use may cause severe damage to the large intestine, cirrhosis of the liver, and potassium loss (Bensky et al. 2004). 

Allergic reactions to Chinese rhubarb have also been reported, usually after large doses (30 g), and include... 

Use of stimulant laxatives, such as Chinese rhubarb, may reduce the gastrointestinal transit time and thus reduce the absorption of orally administered drugs (Drinker 2001 De Smet 1993). 

A reference text on traditional Chinese medicine indicated that Chinese rhubarb should be used with great caution and only when absolutely necessary during pregnancy and lactation (Bensky et al. 2004). Based on this information, use during pregnancy or lactation is not recommended except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. 

In guinea pig stomachs, an aqueous extract of Chinese rhubarb dose-dependently increased the resting tension and contractile frequency of gastric body circular muscle. The authors indicated that the exciting action of Chinese rhubarb was partly mediated via the cholinergic M receptor, the cholinergic N receptor, and the L-type calcium channel (Yu et al. 2005). 

An extract of Chinese rhubarb induced estrogenic activity at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml in a yeast-based estrogen receptor activity assay (Kang et al. 2006). 

A tannin isol. from commercial Chinese rhubarb Rheum spp.). Amorph. powder + IH2O. Mg +47 (c, 0.84 in MeOH). 

Glucogallin obtained from the Chinese rhubarb by Gilson has been identified (100) through synthesis as l-0-galloyl-j3-D-glucose. 

Chen QH, Liu CY, Qiu CH 1980 Studies on Chinese rhubarb. XII. Effect of anthraquinone derivatives on the respiration and glycolysis of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cell. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 15 65-70... 

Source Chinese rhubarb Rheum officinale Bail ., R. palmatum L., R. tanguticum Maxim, ex Reg., and other Rheum species or hybrids grown in China Indian rhubarb... 

Large and sturdy, perennial herbs with large leaves home on thick petioles stem up to 2-3 m high native to Asia (e.g., China, India, and southern Siberia) widely cultivated. Parts used are the dried rhizome and roots deprived of periderm (corky layer). Only plants 3 y or older are used. Chinese rhubarb, especially those from R. officinale and R. palmatum, are considered to be of the best quality. Those species with palmate rather than undulate leaves are generally considered the official drug source species or substitutes in China. 

Chinese rhubarbs contain two major classes of active constituents, anthraglycosides and tannins. 

The tannins in Chinese rhubarb are of both the catechin and gallic acid types, including t/-catechin, J-epicatechin gallate, gluco-gallin (galloylglucose), and others (list and... 

Chinese rhubarb also contains a trace amount of volatile oil consisting of 100 constituents, including chrysophanic acid and other anthraquinones, diisobutyl phthal-ate, cinnamic acid, phenylpropionic acid, and ferulic acid, but no /i-hydroxycinnamic, caffeic, or quinic acid. In a recent report, the stalks of uncooked R. rhabar-barum yielded 59 volatile monoterepene alcohols, aldehydes, and acids to which the characteristic odor of rhubarb is largely attributed. ... 

Other constituents present in Chinese rhubarbs include calcium oxalate (ca. 6%), fatty acids (oleic acid, palmitic acid, etc.), sugars (glucose, fructose, etc.), rutin and other flavonoids, starch (ca. 16%), resins, and others (bradly jiangsu nanjing stahl). 

Indian rhubarb and garden rhubarb have been much less extensively investigated than Chinese rhubarb. Indian rhubarb is reported to contain tannins and anthraglycosides, many of which are probably the same as those of Chinese rhubarb. Garden rhubarb has been reported to contain chrysophanic acid (probably also its glucosides) but not the other anthraquinones or sennosides found in Chinese rhubarb it contains rhaponticin not present in Chinese or Indian rhubarb (martindale nanjing stahl). ... 

---