(1) Anti-tumor activity
Rhein has a certain inhibitory effect on mouse melanoma, Ehrlich ascites cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and P388 leukemia cells. One of the mechanisms of rhein's inhibitory effect on liver cancer is to affect its three-dimensional and microfilament structure.
(2) Antibacterial activity
At 1.5-25mg/ml, rhein has an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus diphtheria, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus paratyphi, Bacillus dysentery, etc. One of its effects is to inhibit electron transport in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Rhein has a strong inhibitory effect on the nucleic acid and protein synthesis of Staphylococcus aureus, and also has an inhibitory effect on DNA biosynthesis in cell-free systems.
(3) immunosuppressive effect
Rhein can inhibit the production of antibodies in organisms, inhibit carbon particle clearance, reduce the weight of immune organs, and reduce the number of white blood cells.
(4) Diuretic effect
Rhein can increase the concentration of sodium and potassium ions in urine, promote ureteral peristalsis, and increase urine output.
(5) Purging effect
Rhein itself has no diarrhea effect. Its intestinal bacteria conversion product rhein anthrone has diarrhea activity, which can reduce the absorption of sodium and chloride ions in the colon and increase the secretion of potassium ions. Prostaglandins play an important role in the laxative activity of rhein anthrone.
(6) Anti-inflammatory effect
The 1,8-diacetyl compound of rhein has been used to treat osteoarthritis. In the intestine, the acetyl group of 1,8-Diacelyrhein can be completely hydrolyzed, and the effective substance form should be rhein.
(7) Treatment of diabetic nephropathy
Studies have shown that rhein has the unique curative effect and new pharmacodynamic characteristics of improving abnormal glucose metabolism, reversing insulin resistance, and effectively preventing diabetic nephropathy. It is not available in known drugs for treating diabetic nephropathy, and has better safety. Researchers conducted systematic in vitro and in vivo activity studies on rhein and found that rhein can inhibit the activity of the hexosamine pathway of cellular sugar metabolism by inhibiting the function of cellular glucose transporter 1, inhibiting the expression of PAI-1 in endothelial cells, and protect The function of endothelial cells, reversing insulin resistance and other mechanisms to play its role in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, these are new mechanisms of action in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Its efficacy has been given in a series of animal models, such as type 1 diabetic nephropathy (STZ rat model, NOD mouse model) and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (high sugar and high fat diet model, db/db mouse model) models verification. There is no new drug with such a unique curative effect in the world to treat diabetic nephropathy.
