RHUBARB: THE WONDROUS DRUG. A REVIEW

Rhubarb (Rheum emodi) is an important medicinal plant, which finds an extensive use in Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine. Rhubarb (Rheum emodi, family Polygonaceae) has been traditionally used as diuretic, liver stimulant, purgative/cathartic, stomachic, Antitumour, anticholesterolaemic, antiseptic, wound healer, antidiabetic and tonic. The most important constituents from rhubarb are the flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinone derivatives such as Chrysophanol, Aloe-emodin, Emodin, Physcion, Rhein and its glycoside, Glucorhein etc. Tannins are also present in rhubarb which includes hydrolysable tannins, containing ester or glycosidic bonds composed of gallic acid, glucose and other monosaccharide’s and condensed tannins, derived primarily from the flavone derivatives catechin and leucocyanidin. In the past few years, new components such as sulfemodin8-O-b-Dglucoside, revandchinone-1, revandchinone-2, revandchinone-3, revandchinone-4, 6-methyl-rhein and 6-methyl aloe-emodin have been reported from the same species. It also contains macro and micro mineral elements in the order of K>Ca>Fe>Mn>Na>Zn>Co>Li>Cu. Anthraquinone derivatives show evidence of antifungal, anti-microbial, anti-Parkinson’s, anti-proliferative, antiviral, anticancer, immune enhancing, antiulcer and antioxidant activities. This review covers published work on therapeutic uses of different components from rhubarb.