Rheum rhaponticum
Rhapontic rhubarb ( Rheum rhaponticum )
Rhapontic rhubarb ( Rheum rhaponticum ), also known as Siberian rhubarb or rhubarb Bulgarian, is a plant that belongs to the genus rhubarb ( Rheum ) within the family of the buckwheat family ( Polygonaceae ). It is native to southern Norway and southern Siberia, used as a medicinal plant.
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
Description
The rhapontic rhubarb grows as a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 1.2 to 1.5 meters. The leaves are basal and distributed along the stems. The lower leaves have long petioles, which are furrowed down and roundish - ovate leaf blades with slightly rippled margin. The upper leaves have short petioles and leaf blades oblong- ovate.
The flowering period extends from May to June. The bracts not cover the flowers. The perianth is greenish. The egg-shaped fruits are nuts on both sides emarginate.
Occurrence, history and etymology
The rhapontic rhubarb ( Rheum rhaponticum ) occurs in southern Norway and southern Siberia. It is also the south-western Bulgaria specified as the home. The introduction of the rhapontic rhubarb from areas on the Black Sea ( Pontus = ) explains the term radix pontica or rhapontikum drug and Artepithetons rhaponticum. Perhaps this is wild rhubarb also from cultivation.
Taxonomy
The first publication of Rheum rhaponticum was in 1753 by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum. A homonym is Rheum rhaponticum Herder. The name Rheum rhaponticum auct. was erroneously often within the meaning of cultural rhubarb ( Rheum × hybridum Murray ) was used.
Medical importance
In the root of the Rhaptonik - rhubarb Phytoestrogens occur from the group of substances of natural hydroxystilbenes, the estrogen- like effect exercise in humans ( SERM = selective estrogen receptor modulator ). Preparations from Rheum rhaptonicum be used to treat menopausal symptoms.
The root extract contains rhaponticin, deoxyrhaponticin, rhapontigenin and Desoxyrhapotigenin. Laxative acting anthraquinones ( like other rhubarb species ) does not contain the rhapontic rhubarb. The drugs bind to the estrogen receptors in the human body that act as hubs for the forwarding of the estrogen effect. The activation of these receptors menopausal symptoms are improved.
The peculiarity of the rhapontic - rhubarb is that the active ingredients according to studies only dock at the beta- estrogen receptor and not activate the estrogen receptor alpha. In contrast, activate the synthetic hormones hormone replacement therapy and the alpha receptor, which triggers the known side effects of hormone therapy.
Application
Siberian rhubarb is available as a pharmacy -requiring finished product with rhapontic dry extract (name ERr 731 ).