InChI=1S/C15H8O6/c16-9-3-1-2-7-11(9)14(19)12-8(13(7)18)4-6(15(20)21)5-10(12)17/h1-5,16-17H,(H,20,21)
Rhein, an anthraquinone compound isolated from rhubarb, has been proved effective in treatment of experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the mechanism is the Inhibition of the hexosamine pathway. [1]
Rhein can effectively inhibit the IL-1-activated pathway and the of NF-kappaB and factors in chondrocytes cultured in hypoxia, and can reduce the procatabolic effect of the cytokine, by reducing the synthesis, and enhance the synthesis of matrix components, such as type II and aggrecan. [2]
Rhein has been shown to induce apoptosis in several cancer cell lines, and induces apoptosis in A-549 cells via a Ca2+ -dependent mitochondrial pathway. [3]
Rhein has protective effect on liver injury and can inhibit liver flbrosis induced by CCl4/ethanol in rats,the mechanisms possibly contribute to its action of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, also associated with its effect of inhibiting TGF-β1 and suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells.[4]
[1] Zheng J M, Zhu J M, Li L S, et al. Brit J Pharmacol, 2008, 153(7):1456–1464.
[2] Durocher F, Labrie Y, Soucy P, et al. Inflammation, 2003, 27(4):233-246.
[3] Hsia T C, Yang J S, Chen G W, et al. Anticancer Res, 2009, 29(1):309-18.
[4] Guo M Z, Xiao-Sheng L I, Hai-Rong X U, et al. Acta Pharmacol Sin, 2002, 23(8):739-44.
[5] Cui Y Q, Dong Z M, Men J Y, et al. Central South Pharmacy, 2009, 7(1):20-23.
