Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is one of the most common traditional Chinese medicines. It has rich resources in China and was earliest recorded in Shennong's Herbal Classic. Among Rhei Radix et Rhizoma

only Rheum palmatum

R. tanguticum and R. officinale are used as medical materials and are commonly used in clinical application. It is recorded to possess the efficacy of eliminating heat and purging internal heat

cooling blood and detoxifying

dissipating blood stasis and promoting blood circulation

as well as removing dampness and relieving jaundice. The anthraquinone components in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma are 9

10-anthraquinone and the hydroxyls are distributed on two-sided benzene rings. Anthraquinones can be divided into anthraquinone and bianthraquinone according to the structure of the mother nucleus. There are about 50 reported anthraquinone components

consisting of 34 anthraquinones and 16 bianthraquinones. Anthraquinones

as an important component in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma

have broad effects of anti-inflammatory

anti-tumor

protecting cardiovascular system

liver and lung

improving brain injury and treating renal fibrosis. By referring to relevant papers at home and abroad

the researches on chemical and pharmacological effects of anthraquinones from Rhei Radix et Rhizoma in the last decade were summarized and the prospects of research and development were also analyzed for further study and comprehensive utilization of these anthraquinones. In the future

the further researches on anthraquinones and their derivatives should be done to lay a foundation for the rational application and development of new drugs with good clinical curative effect.