Research Progress on the Antitumor Effects of Rhein: Literature Review

Background: Rhein (1,8-dihydroxy-3-carboxyanthraquinone) is a monomer of anthraquinone derivatives mainly found in Polygonaceae plants such as Rhubarb, and Cuspidatum, widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine with many pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Objective: To conclude the role of Rhein in cancer control and its mechanisms for its futher deep research and potential clinical application. Method: All kinds of reports previously related to Rhein from PubMed datebase were collected, integrated and analyzed. Results: Rhein could control many cancer cells by regulating their proliferation and apoptosis, invasion and migration, especially intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways induced by Rhein plays the core role in cancer control. For good inhibitory role in NF-ΚB pathway, the Ras/Raf/MEK (MAPK)/ERK and PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways are other two key pathways regulated by Rhein with its role in antiphosphorylation of ERK, PI3K and AKT to control many cancers' development which frequently dysregulated in cancer, involved in the activation, proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells. Conclusion: Rhein is a potential cancer treatment agent..