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Rhein

Rhein is an active metabolite of diacerein and an anthraquinone found in Rheus (rhubarb). Rhein exhibits pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, antioxidative, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-angiogenic activities. Rhein inhibits LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and production of IL-6 and IL-1β by inhibiting degradation of IκB kinase. Rhein also inhibits hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis in β cells in animal models of diabetes. In gastric cancer cells, rhein increases the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and levels of cytochrome c, inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation. This compound also inhibits vessel plexus formation and endothelial cell migration. Additionally, rhein decrease H2O2-induced increases in malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase levels and decreases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione activity, inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative injury.

References PubMed ID::http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18958717

Cas No.

478-43-3

Purity

≥88%

Formula

C15H8O6

Formula Wt.

284.22

Chemical Name

9,10-Dihydro-4,5-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid

IUPAC Name

4,5-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carboxylic acid

Synonym

Rhubarb yellow; Monorhein; Rheic acid; Cassic acid; Parietic acid

Melting Point

321-322°C

Solubility

Practically insoluble in water. Soluble in alkalies and pyridine.

Appearance

Yellow needle crystals

Gao Y, Chen X, Fang L, et al. Rhein exerts pro- and anti-inflammatory actions by targeting IKKβ inhibition in LPS-activated macrophages. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Jul;72:104-12. PMID: 24721152.

Liu J, Chen Z, Zhang Y, et al. Rhein protects pancreatic β-cells from dynamin-related protein-1-mediated mitochondrial fission and cell apoptosis under hyperglycemia. Diabetes. 2013 Nov;62(11):3927-35. PMID: 23919963.

Li Y, Xu Y, Lei B, et al. Rhein induces apoptosis of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells via an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2012 Nov;45(11):1052-9. PMID: 22850871.

Zhong XF, Huang GD, Luo T, et al. Protective effect of rhein against oxidative stress-related endothelial cell injury. Mol Med Rep. 2012 May;5(5):1261-6. PMID: 22344690.

He ZH, Zhou R, He MF, et al. Anti-angiogenic effect and mechanism of rhein from Rhizoma Rhei. Phytomedicine. 2011 Apr 15;18(6):470-8. PMID: 21112197.

PGE2