Originally the rhubarb plant which contains rhein was used as a laxative. It was believed that rhein along with other anthraquinone glycosides imparted this activity.[2]
Rhein has been reevaluated as an antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aureus in 2008.[7] Synergy or partial synergy has been demonstrated between rhein and the antibiotics oxacillin and ampicillin.[8]
The pharmacokinetics of rhein have not been intensively studied in humans, but at least one study in healthy male volunteers found that rhein was better absorbed from oral administration of rhubarb than from a retention enema.[11] Rhein (at an oral dose of 50 mg twice per day) was shown to be safe when administered for five days to elderly patients with chronic congestive heart failure.[12]
^Hoerhammer L, Wagner H, Koehler I (1959). "Neue Untersuchungen über die Inhaltsstoffe von Rheum palmatum L. 1. Mitteilung: Zur Analytik des Rheins" [New investigations on the components of Rheum palmatum L. Part 1: On the analysis of rhein]. Archiv der Pharmazie (in German). 292 (64): 591–601. doi:10.1002/ardp.19592921105. PMID14402302. S2CID94169376.
^Zhu W, Wang XM, Zhang L, Li XY, Wang BX (2005). "Pharmacokinetic of rhein in healthy male volunteers following oral and retention enema administration of rhubarb extract: a single dose study". Am J Chin Med. 33 (6): 839–850. doi:10.1142/S0192415X05003508. PMID16355440.
^La Villa G, Marra F, Laffi G, et al. (1989). "Effects of rhein on renal arachidonic acid metabolism and renal function in patients with congestive heart failure". Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 37 (1): 1–5. doi:10.1007/bf00609415. PMID2512175. S2CID6338421.