Rhubarb Side Effects and
Benefits
Benefits
What is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a relative of buckwheat and has an earthy, sour flavor. Rhubarb thrives in cold
climates and originated in Western China, Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia and neighboring
areas. The traditional role was medicinal-the dried root was a popular remedy for a wide
range of illnesses. Its primary function was to induce vomiting, although rhubarb is also a
mild astringent. This medicinal role caused the price of the dried root to rise. In 1542,
rhubarb sold for ten times the price of cinnamon in France and in 1657 rhubarb sold for
over twice the price of opium in England (Schneider, 2001). Beginning in the eighteenth
century, rhubarb began to be consumed in foods, primarily drinks and meat stews.
Botanically speaking, rhubarb is considered a vegetable, but it's most often treated as a
fruit — though it's rarely eaten raw. Just like fresh cranberries, rhubarb is almost
unbearably tart on its own and needs the sweetness of sugar, honey, or fruit juice added
to it to balance out the acidity. Rhubarb's nickname is the "pie plant" because that is the
primary use for this vegetable.
Rhubarb was introduced to the United States at the end of the eighteenth century. Today
most rhubarb is frozen for commercial and institutional use; only about a quarter of the
crop is sold fresh.
One serving size of Rhubarb (half cup of diced, 61g) contains 15 calories, 3 g of total
carbohydrate, 1 g of dietary fiber, 1 g of sugar, 1 g of protein and small amounts of
calcium, vitamins A and C.
Hothouse, or strawberry, rhubarb appears in markets as early as January and continues
to be stocked through April. Field-grown, or cherry, rhubarb begins to arrive in markets in
March and can continue to arrive through the summer (depending on the area where it is
grown). Spring stalks are the juiciest and most-tender.
Fresh stalks are flat, not curled or limp. When stalks that have been pulled-not cut-from
the field are available; choose them. Pulled stalks dry out less rapidly. Size is no indicator
of tenderness. Deep red stalks are sweeter and richer.
Potential Health Benefits of Rhubarb
Rhubarb may have benefits of cutting cancer risks.
Rhubarb has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times and
today it is still applied in various herbal preparations for health benefits. Reseachers
from National University of Singapore studied the toxicological and anti-neoplastic
potentials of the main anthraquinones from Rhubarb, Rheum palmatum. [1]
It is interesting to note that although the chemical structures of various anthraquinones in
this plant are similar, their bioactivities are rather different. The most abundant
anthraquinone of rhubarb, emodin, was capable of inhibiting cellular proliferation,
induction of apoptosis, and prevention of metastasis. These capabilities seem to act
through tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), NF-
kappa B (NF-kappaB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades.
Aloe-emodin is another major component in rhubarb to have anti-tumor properties. Its
anti-proliferative property is related to p53 and its downstream p21 pathway. [1]
A recent study suggests that the molecular targets of these two anthraquinones are
different, though both potentiate the anti-proliferation of various chemotherapeutic agents.
Rhein another major rhubarb anthraquinone effectively inhibited the uptake of glucose in
tumor cells, caused changes in membrane-associated functions and led to cell death in
the study. [1]
A study has shown that rhubarb help patients with gastric cancer to recover after
operations. Patients in the study group were fed with rhubarb before operation, and at 1
day and 2 days after operation.
Rhubarb positively modulated the acute inflammatory response, promoted the recovery of
postoperative gastrointestinal motility, and benefited enteral nutrition support in patients
who have undergone major operations for gastric cancer. [3]
However, some test-tubes studies showed that some rhubarb ingredients might have
mutagenic activities. But the clinical link between the use of rhubarb and the development
of gastric cancer was not clear. [4]
Rhubarb may benefit circulation - vasodilation or vasoconstriction?
An aqueous extract of rhubarb (Rheum undulatum L) was found to exhibit a distinct
vasorelaxant activity. This aqueous extract induced a concentration-dependent relaxation
of the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta. After a series of experiments, researchers
concluded that the extract dilated vascular smooth muscle and suppressed the vascular
inflammatory process via endothelium-dependent NO/cGMP signaling. [2]
On the other hand, rhubarb and Sanchi Powder were found to promote vasoconstriction,
shortening the bleeding time and blood arresting. The combination could also increase
the platelet count and improve the platelet aggregation. [5]
A study of rabbits has demonstrated the beneficial effects on hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Researchers first injected living measles virus into the main pancreatic duct and the ear
vein of the rabbits, leading to increased serum amylase. They then treated some rabbits
with rhubarb. They found that rhubarb treated animals had a lower serum amylase. [29]
There is also a report that it helps stop bleeding from upper digestive tract. [30]
Rhubarb can be used in muscle contraction, in vitro studies suggested.
Rhubarb has exciting actions on isolated gastric smooth muscle strips of guinea pig.
The exciting action of rhubarb is partly mediated via cholinergic M receptor, cholinergic N
receptor and L-type calcium channel. [6]
Rhubarb can stimulate the motility of isolated gallbladder muscle strips from guinea
pigs. The stimulation of rhubarb was believed to be related to M receptor, Ca(2+) channel
and alpha receptor partly. [7]
Researchers also found that serum containing Rhubarb Mixture amplified the contraction
amplitude of an isolated small intestinal smooth muscle of rabbit. The rate of change of
contraction amplitude was elevated significantly after administration, while the frequency
of contraction did not change obviously. [8]
Though there are some in vitro evidence that rhubarb may cause vasconstriction, it
showed a protective measure for high blood pressure during pregnancy. [9, 10]
Researchers found that low doses of rhubarb prevented hypertension developed during
pregnancy. Rhubarb (140 cases) or placebo (125 cases) was given to women at risk of
hypertension consecutively from the 28th week of gestation till delivery, and another 68
pregnant women as control. Results showed that 5.7% of rhubarb treated women
developed hypertension, a rate substantially lower than the 20.8% of the placebo group
(P < 0.01). [9]
Rhubarb may benefit those with high cholesterol. [11,13]
Both experimental and clinical studies have indicated that a novel source of dietary fibre,
produced from rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalks, is potentially hypolipidaemic.
Researchers found that rhubarb fiber could actually increase excretion of bile acids and
induction of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in both the normal and the
cholesterol-fed mice. [11]
In a study of 10 patients suffered from high cholesterol, Canadian researchers
supplemented the patients with 27 g of ground rhubarb stalk fiber per day for 4 weeks.
They claimed that rhubarb fiber supplementation resulted in significant lowering of
serum total cholesterol (8%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (9%). These
results signify the potential uses of underutilized rhubarb crop.
Rhubarb (Rheum rhapontiam) stalk fibre was previously shown to be hypolipidaemic
under clinical and experimental conditions. However, the rhubarb-fibre diet had no effect
on the plasma cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations of diabetic rats. [13]
Rhubarb showed anti-oxidant, anti-infammatory and anti-allergy effects. [14-18]
The methanolic extracts from five kinds of rhubarb were found to show scavenging activity
for DPPH radical and .O2-. [14]
Rhubarb supplements showed positive impact on liver inflamation. In a study of 44
patients of hepatitis, researchers supplied patients with rhubarb, while they
supplemented another 20 patients with inosine, vitamin C and glucose as a control
group. They found a satisfactory to marked improvement in 39 patients of the rhubarb-
treated group, while only 10% of the control group showed improvements. [16]
Japanese researchers found that the rhizome of Rheum undulatum inhibited the allergic
reactions in an animal study and that these inhibitory effects might be partially attributable
to the stilbenes. [17]
Researchers from Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Japan, demonstrated that stilbenes
from the rhizomes of Rheum undulatum (Korean rhubarb) and the related compounds
had anti-allergic activities. Active stilbenes such as piceatannol, 3,5,4'-
trimethylpiceatannol, resveratrol, trimethylresveratrol inhibited ionomycin-induced beta-
hexosaminidase release. And, piceatannol, 3,5,4'-trimethylpiceatannol, resveratrol, and
trimethylresveratrol also significantly inhibited antigen-induced release of TNF-alpha and
IL-4 in RBL-2H3 cells. [18]
Rhubarb can exert protective effects on severe acute pancreatitis in rats, probably by
inhibiting the inflammation of pancreas, improving pancreatic microcirculation, and
altering exocrine secretion. [35]
Rhubarb demonstrated immune modulation in some test-tube and animal studies. [19,
20]
Some studies showed rhubarb extracts may prevent stone formation. Rhubarb has
shown benefits on renal failure or toxicity in test-tube and animal studies. [21-25]
Researchers found that a rhubarb extract prevented calcium phosphate precipitation in a
in vitro study. Thus, they suggested that supplementation of rhubarb extract may have
benefit of preventing calculus formation. [21]
Treatment of chronic renal failure with rhubarb and adjuvant drugs combined with other
appropriate measures alleviates the suffering of the patients and improves the quality of
their survival. [22]
In a clinical trial of 38 patients, Japanese researchers found that rhubarb can retard the
introduction-period of hemodialysis and can also inhibit deterioration of the chronic renal
failure. [25]
Rhubarb may have protective effects on lung, too; animal studies suggested.
In a study of rats, rhubarb and dexamethasone could significantly reduce the edema of
the lung tissue, decrease the red blood cell exudation, neutrophil infiltration and plasma
protein exudation in the alveoli and all the biological markers in comparison with the
acute lung injury model rats, indicating these two substances have protective action on
vascular endothelium and alveolar epithelium. [26]
A study of rats showed that the application of rhubarb and dexamethasone could
decease the expression and ameliorate the lung damage induced by lipopolysaccharide
injection. [27]
Rhubarb was found to have anti-Bacterial, anti-viral effects from animal or test-tube
studies. [31, 32, 34]
Researchers from Japan found that rhubarb root (Rheum officinale)and its active
ingredient-rhein had significant activities against bacteroides fragilis which is a major
anaerobic microorganism in the intestinal flora of humans. ost patients can take care of
themselves after treatment, and some can engage in half-day work. The treatment
prolongs the life of the patient, and reduces medical expenses. [31, 28]
An animal study showed its effects on herpes simplex virus(HSV) infection. [34]
SIDE EFFECTS AND WARNING
Rhubarb has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for a long time. its side effects
should be minimal for usual doses and dosage design. However, the side effects could
be serious if you have cancer or vascular issues. It is unclear if rhubarb is anti-cancer or
carcinogenic. There are reports that it may cause cancer; there are also reports that its
ingredients have anti-cancer activities. Its effect on vascular system is also unclear. A few
reports indicated its vasodilutory effects, while some showed its muscle contraction
effects. It may also enhance blod clotting.
The side effects for eating its leave can be fatal. The leaves are poisonous because they
contain oxalate. This toxin, plus another unknown toxin also found in the leaves, has
been reported to cause poisoning when large quantities of raw or cooked leaves are
ingested. Some ingredients of rhubarb were also found to be phototoxic.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY
QUESTIONS AND BEFORE TAKING STEVIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 ZHION DO NOT COPY
THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S) NOR ANY TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS
[1] Huang Q, et al, Anti-cancer properties of anthraquinones from Rhubarb. Med Res Rev. 2006 Oct
4. [2] Moon MK,et al, Vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb
via a NO-cGMP pathway.Life Sci. 2006 Feb 28;78(14):1550-7. Epub 2005 Nov 2. [3] Cai J, et al,
Effects of perioperative administration of Rhubarb on acute inflammatory response in patients with
gastric cancer. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2005 May;3(3):195-8. [4] Mantani N, Rhubarb use in
patients treated with Kampo medicines--a risk for gastric cancer? Yakugaku Zasshi. 2002 Jun;122
(6):403-5. [5] Fu DC, Yu CY.Observation on therapeutic effect of Rhubarb and sanchi powder in
treating patients with hemorrhagic fever in nephrotic syndrome complicated with digestive tract
bleeding Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;25(8):744-7. [6] Yu M, et al,Effects of
rhubarb on isolated gastric muscle strips of guinea pigs. World J Gastroenterol. 2005 May 7;11(17):
2670-3. [7] Luo YL, et al, Effect of rhubarb on contractile response of gallbladder smooth muscle
strips isolated from guinea pigs.World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Feb 14;11(6):863-6.[8] Zhang HQ, et al,
Effect of Compound Rhubarb Mixture on contraction of isolated small intestinal smooth muscle of
rabbit. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2004 May;2(3):210-2. [9] Zhang ZJ, et al, Low-dose of processed
rhubarb in preventing pregnancy induced hypertension Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 1994 Aug;29
(8):463-4, 509. [10] Wang Z et al, ,Clinical observation on therapeutical effect of prepared rhubarb in
treating pregnancy induced hypertension Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1999 Dec;19(12):725-
7. [11] Goel V, et al, Dietary rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalk fibre stimulates cholesterol 7
alpha-hydroxylase gene expression and bile acid excretion in cholesterol-fed C57BL/6J mice.Br J
Nutr. 1999 Jan;81(1):65-71. [12] Goel V, et al, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 16,
Issue 6 600-604. [13] Cheema SK, et al, Dietary rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalk fibre does not
lower plasma cholesterol levels in diabetic rats.Br J Nutr. 2003 Feb;89(2):201-6. [14] Matsuda H, et
al, Antioxidant constituents from rhubarb: structural requirements of stilbenes for the activity and
structures of two new anthraquinone glucosides.Bioorg Med Chem. 2001 Jan;9(1):41-50. [15] Peng
SM, et al, Effect of rhubarb on inflammatory cytokines and complements in patients with systemic
inflammation reaction syndrome and its significance Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Apr;
22(4):264-6. [16]Huang ZH, et al, Clinical observation on treatment of infantile cholestatic hepatitis
syndrome by rhubarb Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1997 Aug;17(8):459-61. [17] Matsuda H,
et al, Study on anti-Oketsu activity of rhubarb II. Anti-allergic effects of stilbene components from
Rhei undulati Rhizoma, Biol Pharm Bull. 2001 Mar;24(3):264-7. [18] Matsuda H, et al, Anti-allergic
activity of stilbenes from Korean rhubarb (Rheum undulatum L.): structure requirements for
inhibition of antigen-induced degranulation and their effects on the release of TNF-alpha and IL-4 in
RBL-2H3 cells.Bioorg Med Chem. 2004 Sep 15;12(18):4871-6. [19] Ma L.Experimental study on the
immunomodulatory effects of rhubarb Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1991 Jul;11(7):418-9, 390.
[20] Chen XL, et al, Effect of rhubarb on intestinal immune associated secretion in healthy mice and
in burn mice Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Oct;21(10):754-6. [21] Hidaka S, et al,
Effects of a rhubarb (Rhei rhizoma) solution and its fractions on the formation of calcium phosphate
precipitates.J Periodontal Res. 1996 Aug;31(6):408-13. [22] Yokozawa T, et al, Effects of rhubarb
tannins on uremic toxins.Nephron. 1991;58(2):155-60. [23] Tian J, et al, Effects of Cordyceps
sinensis, rhubarb and serum renotropin on tubular epithelial cell growth Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi.
1991 Sep;11(9):547-9, 518. [24] Yokozawa T, et al,Effects of rhubarb tannins on renal function in
rats with renal failure. Nippon Jinzo Gakkai Shi. 1993 Jan;35(1):13-8. [25] Sanada H.Study on the
clinical effect of rhubarb on nitrogen-metabolism abnormality due to chronic renal failure and its
mechanism Nippon Jinzo Gakkai Shi. 1996 Aug;38(8):379-87. [26] Li C, et al, Protective effect of
rhubarb on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.J Tradit Chin Med. 2001 Mar;21(1):54-8. [27]
Chunsheng L, et al, Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule in lung tissues of experimental
acute lung injury and the affect of Rhubarb on it. Chin Med Sci J. 2000 Jun;15(2):93-7. [28] Kang Z,
et al, Observation of therapeutic effect in 50 cases of chronic renal failure treated with rhubarb and
adjuvant drugs.J Tradit Chin Med. 1993 Dec;13(4):249-52.[29] Role of a virus in hemorrhagic
pancreatitis and the therapeutic effect of rhubarb,Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Mar;10(3):162-3,
133. [30] Zhou H, et al, 312 cases of gastric and duodenal ulcer bleeding treated with 3 kinds of
alcoholic extract rhubarb tablets Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Mar;10(3):150-1, 131-2.[31] Cyong
J, et al, Anti-Bacteroides fragilis substance from rhubarb, J Ethnopharmacol. 1987 May;19(3):279-
83. [32] Hu P, et al, Treatment of bacterial peritonitis with dachengqi decoction and rhubarb in mice
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2000 Jan;20(1):53-4. [33] Wang ZY, et al, Inhibition effects of
rhubarb ethanol extract on herpes simplex virus infection in vivo Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang
Bing Du Xue Za Zhi. 2003 Jun;17(2):169-73. [[35] Zhao YQ, et al, Protective effects of rhubarb on
experimental severe acute pancreatitis.World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Apr 1;10(7):1005-9.
Rhubarb is a relative of buckwheat and has an earthy, sour flavor. Rhubarb thrives in cold
climates and originated in Western China, Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia and neighboring
areas. The traditional role was medicinal-the dried root was a popular remedy for a wide
range of illnesses. Its primary function was to induce vomiting, although rhubarb is also a
mild astringent. This medicinal role caused the price of the dried root to rise. In 1542,
rhubarb sold for ten times the price of cinnamon in France and in 1657 rhubarb sold for
over twice the price of opium in England (Schneider, 2001). Beginning in the eighteenth
century, rhubarb began to be consumed in foods, primarily drinks and meat stews.
Botanically speaking, rhubarb is considered a vegetable, but it's most often treated as a
fruit — though it's rarely eaten raw. Just like fresh cranberries, rhubarb is almost
unbearably tart on its own and needs the sweetness of sugar, honey, or fruit juice added
to it to balance out the acidity. Rhubarb's nickname is the "pie plant" because that is the
primary use for this vegetable.
Rhubarb was introduced to the United States at the end of the eighteenth century. Today
most rhubarb is frozen for commercial and institutional use; only about a quarter of the
crop is sold fresh.
One serving size of Rhubarb (half cup of diced, 61g) contains 15 calories, 3 g of total
carbohydrate, 1 g of dietary fiber, 1 g of sugar, 1 g of protein and small amounts of
calcium, vitamins A and C.
Hothouse, or strawberry, rhubarb appears in markets as early as January and continues
to be stocked through April. Field-grown, or cherry, rhubarb begins to arrive in markets in
March and can continue to arrive through the summer (depending on the area where it is
grown). Spring stalks are the juiciest and most-tender.
Fresh stalks are flat, not curled or limp. When stalks that have been pulled-not cut-from
the field are available; choose them. Pulled stalks dry out less rapidly. Size is no indicator
of tenderness. Deep red stalks are sweeter and richer.
Potential Health Benefits of Rhubarb
Rhubarb may have benefits of cutting cancer risks.
Rhubarb has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times and
today it is still applied in various herbal preparations for health benefits. Reseachers
from National University of Singapore studied the toxicological and anti-neoplastic
potentials of the main anthraquinones from Rhubarb, Rheum palmatum. [1]
It is interesting to note that although the chemical structures of various anthraquinones in
this plant are similar, their bioactivities are rather different. The most abundant
anthraquinone of rhubarb, emodin, was capable of inhibiting cellular proliferation,
induction of apoptosis, and prevention of metastasis. These capabilities seem to act
through tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), NF-
kappa B (NF-kappaB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades.
Aloe-emodin is another major component in rhubarb to have anti-tumor properties. Its
anti-proliferative property is related to p53 and its downstream p21 pathway. [1]
A recent study suggests that the molecular targets of these two anthraquinones are
different, though both potentiate the anti-proliferation of various chemotherapeutic agents.
Rhein another major rhubarb anthraquinone effectively inhibited the uptake of glucose in
tumor cells, caused changes in membrane-associated functions and led to cell death in
the study. [1]
A study has shown that rhubarb help patients with gastric cancer to recover after
operations. Patients in the study group were fed with rhubarb before operation, and at 1
day and 2 days after operation.
Rhubarb positively modulated the acute inflammatory response, promoted the recovery of
postoperative gastrointestinal motility, and benefited enteral nutrition support in patients
who have undergone major operations for gastric cancer. [3]
However, some test-tubes studies showed that some rhubarb ingredients might have
mutagenic activities. But the clinical link between the use of rhubarb and the development
of gastric cancer was not clear. [4]
Rhubarb may benefit circulation - vasodilation or vasoconstriction?
An aqueous extract of rhubarb (Rheum undulatum L) was found to exhibit a distinct
vasorelaxant activity. This aqueous extract induced a concentration-dependent relaxation
of the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta. After a series of experiments, researchers
concluded that the extract dilated vascular smooth muscle and suppressed the vascular
inflammatory process via endothelium-dependent NO/cGMP signaling. [2]
On the other hand, rhubarb and Sanchi Powder were found to promote vasoconstriction,
shortening the bleeding time and blood arresting. The combination could also increase
the platelet count and improve the platelet aggregation. [5]
A study of rabbits has demonstrated the beneficial effects on hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Researchers first injected living measles virus into the main pancreatic duct and the ear
vein of the rabbits, leading to increased serum amylase. They then treated some rabbits
with rhubarb. They found that rhubarb treated animals had a lower serum amylase. [29]
There is also a report that it helps stop bleeding from upper digestive tract. [30]
Rhubarb can be used in muscle contraction, in vitro studies suggested.
Rhubarb has exciting actions on isolated gastric smooth muscle strips of guinea pig.
The exciting action of rhubarb is partly mediated via cholinergic M receptor, cholinergic N
receptor and L-type calcium channel. [6]
Rhubarb can stimulate the motility of isolated gallbladder muscle strips from guinea
pigs. The stimulation of rhubarb was believed to be related to M receptor, Ca(2+) channel
and alpha receptor partly. [7]
Researchers also found that serum containing Rhubarb Mixture amplified the contraction
amplitude of an isolated small intestinal smooth muscle of rabbit. The rate of change of
contraction amplitude was elevated significantly after administration, while the frequency
of contraction did not change obviously. [8]
Though there are some in vitro evidence that rhubarb may cause vasconstriction, it
showed a protective measure for high blood pressure during pregnancy. [9, 10]
Researchers found that low doses of rhubarb prevented hypertension developed during
pregnancy. Rhubarb (140 cases) or placebo (125 cases) was given to women at risk of
hypertension consecutively from the 28th week of gestation till delivery, and another 68
pregnant women as control. Results showed that 5.7% of rhubarb treated women
developed hypertension, a rate substantially lower than the 20.8% of the placebo group
(P < 0.01). [9]
Rhubarb may benefit those with high cholesterol. [11,13]
Both experimental and clinical studies have indicated that a novel source of dietary fibre,
produced from rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalks, is potentially hypolipidaemic.
Researchers found that rhubarb fiber could actually increase excretion of bile acids and
induction of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in both the normal and the
cholesterol-fed mice. [11]
In a study of 10 patients suffered from high cholesterol, Canadian researchers
supplemented the patients with 27 g of ground rhubarb stalk fiber per day for 4 weeks.
They claimed that rhubarb fiber supplementation resulted in significant lowering of
serum total cholesterol (8%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (9%). These
results signify the potential uses of underutilized rhubarb crop.
Rhubarb (Rheum rhapontiam) stalk fibre was previously shown to be hypolipidaemic
under clinical and experimental conditions. However, the rhubarb-fibre diet had no effect
on the plasma cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations of diabetic rats. [13]
Rhubarb showed anti-oxidant, anti-infammatory and anti-allergy effects. [14-18]
The methanolic extracts from five kinds of rhubarb were found to show scavenging activity
for DPPH radical and .O2-. [14]
Rhubarb supplements showed positive impact on liver inflamation. In a study of 44
patients of hepatitis, researchers supplied patients with rhubarb, while they
supplemented another 20 patients with inosine, vitamin C and glucose as a control
group. They found a satisfactory to marked improvement in 39 patients of the rhubarb-
treated group, while only 10% of the control group showed improvements. [16]
Japanese researchers found that the rhizome of Rheum undulatum inhibited the allergic
reactions in an animal study and that these inhibitory effects might be partially attributable
to the stilbenes. [17]
Researchers from Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Japan, demonstrated that stilbenes
from the rhizomes of Rheum undulatum (Korean rhubarb) and the related compounds
had anti-allergic activities. Active stilbenes such as piceatannol, 3,5,4'-
trimethylpiceatannol, resveratrol, trimethylresveratrol inhibited ionomycin-induced beta-
hexosaminidase release. And, piceatannol, 3,5,4'-trimethylpiceatannol, resveratrol, and
trimethylresveratrol also significantly inhibited antigen-induced release of TNF-alpha and
IL-4 in RBL-2H3 cells. [18]
Rhubarb can exert protective effects on severe acute pancreatitis in rats, probably by
inhibiting the inflammation of pancreas, improving pancreatic microcirculation, and
altering exocrine secretion. [35]
Rhubarb demonstrated immune modulation in some test-tube and animal studies. [19,
20]
Some studies showed rhubarb extracts may prevent stone formation. Rhubarb has
shown benefits on renal failure or toxicity in test-tube and animal studies. [21-25]
Researchers found that a rhubarb extract prevented calcium phosphate precipitation in a
in vitro study. Thus, they suggested that supplementation of rhubarb extract may have
benefit of preventing calculus formation. [21]
Treatment of chronic renal failure with rhubarb and adjuvant drugs combined with other
appropriate measures alleviates the suffering of the patients and improves the quality of
their survival. [22]
In a clinical trial of 38 patients, Japanese researchers found that rhubarb can retard the
introduction-period of hemodialysis and can also inhibit deterioration of the chronic renal
failure. [25]
Rhubarb may have protective effects on lung, too; animal studies suggested.
In a study of rats, rhubarb and dexamethasone could significantly reduce the edema of
the lung tissue, decrease the red blood cell exudation, neutrophil infiltration and plasma
protein exudation in the alveoli and all the biological markers in comparison with the
acute lung injury model rats, indicating these two substances have protective action on
vascular endothelium and alveolar epithelium. [26]
A study of rats showed that the application of rhubarb and dexamethasone could
decease the expression and ameliorate the lung damage induced by lipopolysaccharide
injection. [27]
Rhubarb was found to have anti-Bacterial, anti-viral effects from animal or test-tube
studies. [31, 32, 34]
Researchers from Japan found that rhubarb root (Rheum officinale)and its active
ingredient-rhein had significant activities against bacteroides fragilis which is a major
anaerobic microorganism in the intestinal flora of humans. ost patients can take care of
themselves after treatment, and some can engage in half-day work. The treatment
prolongs the life of the patient, and reduces medical expenses. [31, 28]
An animal study showed its effects on herpes simplex virus(HSV) infection. [34]
SIDE EFFECTS AND WARNING
Rhubarb has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for a long time. its side effects
should be minimal for usual doses and dosage design. However, the side effects could
be serious if you have cancer or vascular issues. It is unclear if rhubarb is anti-cancer or
carcinogenic. There are reports that it may cause cancer; there are also reports that its
ingredients have anti-cancer activities. Its effect on vascular system is also unclear. A few
reports indicated its vasodilutory effects, while some showed its muscle contraction
effects. It may also enhance blod clotting.
The side effects for eating its leave can be fatal. The leaves are poisonous because they
contain oxalate. This toxin, plus another unknown toxin also found in the leaves, has
been reported to cause poisoning when large quantities of raw or cooked leaves are
ingested. Some ingredients of rhubarb were also found to be phototoxic.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY
QUESTIONS AND BEFORE TAKING STEVIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 ZHION DO NOT COPY
THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S) NOR ANY TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS
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