title: Emodin: A Review of its Pharmacology, Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics.
abstract: Emodin is a natural anthraquinone derivative that occurs in many widely used Chinese medicinal herbs, such as Rheum palmatum, Polygonum cuspidatum and Polygonum multiflorum. Emodin has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years and is still present in various herbal preparations. Emerging evidence indicates that emodin possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. However, emodin could also lead to hepatotoxicity, kidney toxicity and reproductive toxicity, particularly in high doses and with long-term use. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that emodin has poor oral bioavailability in rats because of its extensive glucuronidation. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of emodin reported to date with an emphasis on its biological properties and mechanisms of action. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxv
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Xingbin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Sali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Xuechun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Longfei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ni
mesh_terms: D004642:Emodin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D004642:Emodin
keywords: emodin; mechanisms; pharmacokinetics; pharmacology; toxicology