{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The water extract of Rheum palmatum has antioxidative properties and inhibits ROS production in mice.
{Author}: Ma CF;Yang L;Degen AA;Ding LM;
{Journal}: J Ethnopharmacol
{Volume}: 335
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Dec 5
{Factor}: 5.195
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118602
{Abstract}: BACKGROUND: Rheum palmatum (RP) is a widely used traditional herb, which possesses antioxidant properties, inhibits ROS production and reduces fever.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidative properties of the water extract of RP on oxidative-stressed mice.
METHODS: Forty mice were administered with DL-homocysteine (DL-Hcy) to induce oxidative stress and were divided into four groups: 1) CK: NaCl and water; 2) DL-Hcy: DL-Hcy and water; 3) DL-Hcy+50RP: DL-Hcy with 50 mg kg-1 body weight (BW) d-1 RP; and 4) DL-Hcy+150RP: DL-Hcy with 150 mg kg-1 BW d-1 RP. Rhein (0.3 mg g-1 dry matter) was the main active ingredient in RP.
RESULTS: When compared with Dl-Hcy mice, the mice with supplementary RP mitigated oxidative stress by reducing the liver concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 27% and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) by 32%, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the kidney and spleen. These responses were more pronounced in DL-Hcy+150RP than DL-Hcy+50RP mice. RP also exhibited therapeutic effects on liver steatosis, chronic kidney nephritis and intestinal villus width shortening caused by oxidative stress, and concomitantly decreased the serum glucose concentration (RP vs. DL-HCY, 2.3 vs. 4.1 mmol L-1).
CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that RP possesses antioxidant and therapeutic properties that can mitigate lesions on organs and prevent diabetes in oxidative-stressed mice. This study highlights the potential of RP as a medicinal supplement for animals in the future.