Indian Medicinal Plants

544 Rheum nobile Hook. f. & Th.
R
calcium oxalate. Two major glycosidic
active principles, sennoside A and
B, are present along with free anthraquinones.
At low doses, the tannin exerts astringent
effect and relieves diarrhoea;
at higher doses anthraquinones stimulate
laxative effect and relieve constipation.
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive
Database, 2007.)
There are three main types of rhubarbs—Chinese,
Indian or Himalayan,
and Rhapontic.
The Chinese rhubarb consists of the
rhizomes and roots of Rheum palmatum
and R. officinale.
The Indian rhubarb consists of dried
rhizomes of R. emodi and R. webbianum;
rhizomes and roots of R.
moorcroftianum and R. spiciforme are
also reported to be mixed with the
drug. R. rhaponticum is the Rhapontic
rhubarb.
Rheum moorcroftianum Royle (the
Himalayas at altitudes of 3,000–
5,200 m., chiefly in Garhwal and Kumaon)
possesses properties similar to
those of R. emodi and the roots are
mixed with the latter.
Rheum spiciforme Royle (drier
ranges of Kumaon and Sikkim at altitudes
of 2,700–4,800 m.) also possesses
purgative properties. The rhizomes
and roots are mixed up with Himalayan
rhubarb.
Rheum webbianum Royle (the western
and central Himalayas at altitudes
of 3,000–5,000 m.) is the source of
Himalayan rhubarb.
Rheum palmatum is esteemed as
the best type of (Chinese) rhubarb.
Two new stilbene glycosides, 4 ′ -Omethylpiceid
and rhapontin, isolated
from the roots, exhibited moderate
alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
Anthraquinone glucoside, pulmatin,
isolated from the roots, along
with its congeners, chrysophanein and
physcionin, showed cytotoxic activity
against several types of carcinoma
cells. Polysaccharides, isolated from
the roots and rhizomes, contained lyxose,
glucose, galactose, xylose, rhamnose,
mannose and ribose.
Dosage ◮ Root—0.2–1.0 g powder.
(CCRAS.)
Rheum nobile Hook. f. & Th.
Family ◮
Polygonaceae.
Habitat ◮ The Himalayas from Nepal
to Bhutan at 3,900–4,800 m.
Folk ◮ Tehuka (Sikkim).
Action ◮ The roots resemble those
of Rheum emodi, but are spongy
and inert. Stems are acidic, used as
salad. Dried leaves are sometimes
used as a substitute for tobacco.
Rheum officinale Baillon.
Family ◮
Polygonaceae.
Habitat ◮ Southeast Tibet, West and
Northwest China.
English ◮ Rhubarb.
Unani ◮ Usaare Rewand.
Action ◮ Astringent and cathartic
(anthraquinones are laxative and
tannins astringent), stomachic, aperient,
cholinergic, gastric stimulant,
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory,