• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.171-176
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• 2006

Objectives : A morphological classification among Rheum palmatum Linne, Rheum undulatum Linne and Rumex crispus was made through microscopic observation. Methods : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and then observed and photographed by olymphus-BHT. Results: 1. Stellate spots were found on the intersection of Rheum palmatum, composed of heteromorphy vascular bundles. 2. Stellate sponts were not found in Rheum undulatum and Rumex crispus, because they do not have heteromorphy vascular bundles. Conclusion : Rheum palmatum can be distinguished with Rheum undulatum and Rumex crispus, based on the presence of Stellate spots on its intersection.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.115-120
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• 2009

Objectives : Due to the morphological similarity and frequent occurrence of intermediate forms as well as morphological variations of aerial part, the correct identification between Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma is very difficult. To develop a reliable method for correct identification and improving the quality standards of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma, we analyzed RAPD and developed SCAR marker. Methods : To amplify target DNA at the genomic level, 32 Operon 10-mer random primers were applied with four Rheum species, R. officinale, R. palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. undulatum. The nucleotide sequences were determined and species-specific primers were prepared depending on the species-specific RAPD amplicons after subcloned into the pGEM-Teasy vector. To develop the SCAR markers, species-specific PCR amplification and multiplex-PCR were carried out using the single species-specific primer pairs and combinations of them, respectively. Results : We used RAPD analysis of four Rheum plant species to obtain several species-specific RAPD amplicons. From nucleotide sequences of these RAPD amplicons, we developed two SCAR markers that amplified 314 bp and 390 bp DNA fragments in only R. undulatum but not in R. officinale, R. palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. undulatum, for distinguishing Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. Furthermore, we established SCAR markers for the simultaneous discrimination of the three species within a single reaction by using multiplex-PCR. Conclusions : These genetic markers can be used for the efficient discrimination of plants species and commercial herbal medicines between Rhei Undulatai Rhizoma and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, to ultimately prevent indiscriminate distribution and prescription of these herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3 s.39
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• pp.87-93
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze scientifically the purgative action of Chungpesagan-tang, which was widely used for stroke In Oriental Medicine. Methods: The contents of sennoside A on the water-extraction of Rhei Rhizoma, the transforming activity of sennoside A to rheinanthrone by human intestinal bacteria, and the anti-costive activity of Chungpesagan-tang, Rhei Rhizoma and Yuldahanso-tang on mice were investigated. Results: Rhei Rhizoma (Rheum palmatum, from China) had dose-dependent potent purgative action. Chungpesagan-tang containing this Rhei Rhizoma had more potent purgative action than Rhei Rhizoma only. However, Korean cultivated Rhei Rhizoma (Rheum undulatum) and Chungpesagan-tang containing this Korean cultivated Rhei Rhizoma had no purgative action. Conclusions: These results suggest that Chungpesagan-tang polyprescription should be considered to enhance the purgative action of Rhei Rhizoma.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2006

The Following is a list of specific external and internal morphology of Rheum palmatum L. and R. undulatum L. in Rhei Rhizoma. 1. For the original plants of Rhei Rhizoma in the literatures. 18 plants are reported. 2. The external characteristics of original plant : R. palmatum has a large palmate leaf, its petiole of radical leaf has a simple bristle and its flower is purple and pink color. Whereas R. undulatum has a medium ovate leaf, its petiole of radical leaf is purphish, its stem leaf surrounds a half of stem and its flower is yellowish white color. 3. The character of herbal states : a. diameter and size-- R. palmaum is bigger and heavier than R. undulatum. b. in section--R. palmatum is dark brown color, R. undulatum is bright brown color Fibrovascular bundle is arranged in circle shape in R. patmatum. R. undulatum shows a distingushed wheel shape. 4. The internal characteristics : R. palmatum has a large intercellular space of cork layer, its cambium is clear and a xylem medullary ray is comparatively tight, Whereas R. undulatum has a tight intercettular space of cork layer., its cambium is a few clear and xylem medullary ray is verty tight. As these results, additional study is required to distinguish herbs and their effect among many kinds of same genus-degree of relatedness.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1073-1077
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• 2005

Oxidative stressand glia-associated chronic inflammation have been linked to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Rhei rhizoma has been commonly used as a purgative and a haemostatic agent in traditional oriental medicine. Recently, the methanol extract from a dried root of Rheum undulatumhas been shown to have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we tested the potential of the extract of Rheum undulatum for neuroprotective agent. The aqueous extract of Rheum undulatum reduced cell death and p53 phosphorylation in neuronal cells and attenuated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNAs in BV2 microglial cells treated with $amyloid-\beta$

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1631-1636
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• 2008

Rhei Rhizoma (RR; 大黃) consists of the underground parts (rhizome and root) of Rheum officinale Baill. and Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), and is widely used in Southeast Asian folk medicine to alleviate liver and kidney damages. In this study, we investigated into the efficacy and mechanism of RR water extract in supporting neuronal survival in a hypoxia model of cultured rat hippocampal neurons. RR exhibited no cytotoxicity up to 10 ${\mu}g$/ml and exhibited neurosupportive effects at 2.5 ${\mu}g$/ml in normoxia. When RR was added to the culture media on 10 days in vitro (DIV10) and given a hypoxic shock (2% $O_2$/5% $CO_2$, 3 hr, $37^{\circ}C$) on DIV13, RR exhibited neuroprotective effects on 5 days post-shock. $H_2DCF$ stainings indicated that RR effectively prevents ROS production in both normoxia and hypoxia. JC-1 stainings showed that RR prevents dissipation of MMP in hypoxia. These results indicate that RR protects neurons by suppressing ROS production and MMP loss.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2004

A variety of Rhei Rhizoma are in circulation in the herbal medicine markets. The most of them were below the standard according to the Korea Pharmacopoeia. The rhizomes of Rheum undulatum, which is not recorded as the origin of Rhei Rhizoma in the Korea Pharmacopoeia, were the most common in Korean herbal medicine markets.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2008

Three species, such as Rheum palmatum L., R. tanguticum Maxim. and R. officinale Baillon are recognized as the source plants of Rhei Rhizoma in Korean Pharmacopeia. However, other herbal sources such as R. undulatum L. and Rumex crispus L. have been often misused as Rhei Rhizoma. A pattern analysis method to discriminate Rhei Rhizoma in Korean Pharmacopeia from other herbal plants using HPLC and TLC chromatograms was developed. The multivariate peak data of the chromatograms of methanol extracts of Rhei Rhizoma were used for hierarchical clustering analysis, principal components analysis and similarity calculation. Besides of the statistic analysis, TLC patterns of samples could be used as criteria of the discrimination. The developed pattern analysis method was specific and could be readily utilized for comprehensive evaluation of Rhei Rhizoma.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.203-203
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• 2002

Rheum palmatum L. has been used for treatment of hypertension, lipemia, and paramenia in the oriental gerbal medicines for a long time. We have examined the relaxational response to the water extract of Rheum palmaum L. in isolated thoracic aorta from sprague dawley (SD) rat in the presence and absence of endothelium. Rat thoracic aorta was investigated in vessel segments suspended for isometric tension recording by polygraph. Responses to Rhizoma Rhei were investigated in vessels precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine. We found that the ghoracic aorta segments responded to the water extract of Rheum palmatum L. (ERP) with a dose-dependent vasorelaxation. We found that 1.The thoracic aorta sehments responded to ERP with a dose-dependent vasodiliation. 2.The 5-HT induced contraction at 10$\^$-4/M were inhibited by 85.8% after addition of the 0.1 g/mL water extract of ERP. 3. The 5-HT induced contraction at 10$\^$-4/ M with and without endothelium were inhibited by 86.4% and 85.8% after addition of the 0.1g/mL ERP. 4. After pre-treatment of the thoracic aorta with 10$\^$-4/M N$\^$G/-monomethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA), inducible niric oxide synthase inhibitor, the vessels has not response to the contraction. In conclusion, ERP induced reaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aorta were composed of dose-dependent relaxation. and it has potent vasodilation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.27-36
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed for the investigation of anticancer effects of methanol extract of Rheum Rhizoma (MeOH-RR) on a human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). Methods : To study the cytotoxic effect of MeOH-RR on HepG2 cells, the cell viability was determined by XTT reduction method and trypan blue exclusion assay. The cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3 and a typical sign of apoptosis, and the activation of procaspase-3, -8 and -9 were examined by western blot analysis. Furthermore, MeOH-RR-induced apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, the level of Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by western blot analysis. Results : MeOH-RR reduced proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h and 48 h treatment. MeOH-RR induced the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3. Furthermore, treatment with MeOH-RR resulted in internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, evidenced by the formation of a DNA ladder on agarose gel, a hallmark of cells undergoing apoptosis. MeOH-RR downregulated Bcl-2, upregulated Bax, and increased the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into cytosol in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, MeOH-RP increased caspase-3 activity. Conclusion : There results suggest that MeOH-RR induce apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and caspase-3-dependent pathway in HepG2 cells. There results suggest that MeOH-RR is potentially useful as a chemotherapeutic agent in human liver cancer.