Rhein CAS 478-43-3 Anthraquinone Carboxylic Acid from Rheum palmatum
Product Identification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Rhein; 4,5-Dihydroxyanthracene-2-carboxylic acid; (Rheum palmatum / Da-Huang TCM) |
| CAS RN | 478-43-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₅H₈O₆ |
| MW | 284.22 |
| Botanical | Rheum palmatumL., Polygonaceae (“Da-Huang” rhubarb TCM) |
| HS Code (ref) | 1302 / 2938 |
| Sibling AQs (same plant) | Emodin; Aloe-emodin; Chrysophanol — quad-peak HPLC method |
| Related (salt) | Sodium Rhein (pharma-grade, CN legacy) |
Description
Rhein is the C9-carboxylated anthraquinone of rhubarb — the only one among the four RheumAQs bearing a COOH (others are OH/CH₃/CH₂OH), which gives Rhein slightly different PK/logD vs. Emodin/Aloe-emodin. TCM Da-Huangheritage = “purge heat, drain fire, blood-move, purge accumulation” — modern literature branched two directions, both with regulatory red lines to manage:
- Renal / DN R&D (B2B main literature): Rhein shows albuminuria-lowering signals in DN models in CN literature (mechanism: TGF-β / NF-κB / AGE pathways) — this is the #1 B2B R&D search for Rhein (“Rhein DN kidney”). Caveat: anthraquinones as a class have narrow safety window — low-dose Rhein DN benefit in some papers, but high-dose/prolonged AQ exposure → AQ nephrotoxicity (proximal tubule vacuolation, “aristolochic acid” not same but AQ caution exists). DTC/brand: do NOT claim “kidney treatment / DN cure” — TCM traditional “drain heat” soft only. Pharma R&D side unrestricted. Inner-link to Taima’s Astragaloside A 83207-58-3 (DN nephroprotective TCM angle, different molecule/family) — “TCM kidney R&D duo” cross-search.
- Gut / “Digestive Wellness” (DTC tricky): AQ class = stimulant laxative (senna / aloe / rhubarb all same AQ family). FDA/EMA have issued warnings on “natural laxative” AQ brands (melanosis coli, dependency, electrolyte). Rhein is the AQ marker in rhubarb — DTC copy: “TCM Da-Huang traditional use / occasional digestive wellness”, NOT “treat constipation / cleanse / detox” (those trigger FDA warning). Safe lane: TCM heritage brands (“Classic Formula” positioning, CN-export).
Applications
Pharma R&D – Renal / DN – Rhein DN albuminuria literature (TGF-β / NF-κB / AGE); “TCM kidney R&D” cluster with Astragaloside A 83207-58-3 (different mechanism, same DN TCM-channel); pure ≥98% for formulation pilot; AQ nephrotox window → pharma R&D only, not DTC claim
TCM / Digestive Wellness (soft): Rhubarb P.E. total AQ 1%–5% HPLC (Rhein+Emodin+Aloe-emodin+Chrysophanol quad-peak); Da-HuangTCM heritage “purge heat / drain fire” CN-export brands; DTC EN: “traditional use / occasional digestive wellness”— avoid “laxative / cleanse / detox” (FDA AQ warning)
Pharma – RA / Anti-inflammatory – AA pathway literature (LO/COX partial); CN TCM-pharma “Rhein tablet” legacy (Shen-Yan / RA-adjacent); Rhein sodium injectable interest (CN)
Rhubarb P.E. Bulk (TCM export): total AQ 1%–5% HPLC, quad-peak method; 10:1 / 20:1 crude also available; often in “TCM formula extract” blends (Da-Huang + Hou-Po + etc.)
Reference Standard (≥98%): for Rhubarb P.E. QC (quad-peak AQ method), TCM monograph compliance