title: Rhein: A Review of Pharmacological Activities.
abstract: Rhein (4, 5-dihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid) is a lipophilic anthraquinone extensively found in medicinal herbs, such as Rheum palmatum L., Cassia tora L., Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., and Aloe barbadensis Miller, which have been used medicinally in China for more than 1,000 years. Its biological activities related to human health are being explored actively. Emerging evidence suggests that rhein has many pharmacological effects, including hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. The present review provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of the pharmacological properties of rhein, supporting the potential uses of rhein as a medicinal agent.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai 200137, China ; Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Herbal Medicines of Ministry of Education, Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Xi
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai 200137, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai 200137, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Herbal Medicines of Ministry of Education, Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai 200137, China ; Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang