Phytochemical Diversity, Extraction Methods, Analytical Profiling, and Quality Control of Rheum tanguticum (Maxim. ex Regel) Balf.: An Evidence-Stratified Narrative Review
- 1College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100084, China
- 2Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh 35111, Egypt
Abstract
Rheum tanguticum (Maxim. ex Regel) Balf. is one of three botanical sources of Dahuang and exhibits chemical and processing variability that complicates species attribution and quality assessment. This review aims to synthesize species-specific phytochemical, extraction, analytical, pharmacological, and quality-control evidence and to propose a research framework tailored to the product matrix. A targeted narrative search of PubMed, Europe PMC, DOI-linked publisher records, and official botanical and regulatory sources covered material available through 18 September 2026; evidence was classified as authenticated direct studies (A), species-derived isolates (B), comparative Rheum evidence (C), or the broader compound-level literature (D), with authentication uncertainty stated explicitly. The synthesis shows that reported extraction outcomes are not directly comparable: crude decoction yield, target-analyte recovery, and chromatographic purity measure different endpoints. The current Chinese Pharmacopeia includes a Dahuang monograph, but its drug-level status should not be mistaken for a validated R. tanguticum-specific chemical profile. Five free anthraquinones are analytically accessible compositional markers but are not species-specific identifiers; glycosides, sennosides, stilbenes, tannin-related chemistry, phenylbutanones, and polysaccharides require matrix- and evidence-specific interpretation. We conclude that no single marker establishes botanical identity, efficacy, or safety. A defensible research strategy combines official compliance with voucher-supported authentication, validated multi-class profiling, processing-sensitive measurements, and safety assessment. The proposed panels are research priorities, not validated release specifications.
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BibTeX
@article{soliman2026phytochemical,
title = {{Phytochemical Diversity, Extraction Methods, Analytical Profiling, and Quality Control of Rheum tanguticum (Maxim. ex Regel) Balf.: An Evidence-Stratified Narrative Review}},
author = {Mahmoud Soliman and Cheng Du and Linli Cheng},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213874},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3874},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Phytochemical Diversity, Extraction Methods, Analytical Profiling, and Quality Control of Rheum tanguticum (Maxim. ex Regel) Balf.: An Evidence-Stratified Narrative Review
AU - Mahmoud Soliman
AU - Cheng Du
AU - Linli Cheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213874
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3874
AB - Rheum tanguticum (Maxim. ex Regel) Balf. is one of three botanical sources of Dahuang and exhibits chemical and processing variability that complicates species attribution and quality assessment. This review aims to synthesize species-specific phytochemical, extraction, analytical, pharmacological, and quality-control evidence and to propose a research framework tailored to the product matrix. A targeted narrative search of PubMed, Europe PMC, DOI-linked publisher records, and official botanical and regulatory sources covered material available through 18 September 2026; evidence was classified as authenticated direct studies (A), species-derived isolates (B), comparative Rheum evidence (C), or the broader compound-level literature (D), with authentication uncertainty stated explicitly. The synthesis shows that reported extraction outcomes are not directly comparable: crude decoction yield, target-analyte recovery, and chromatographic purity measure different endpoints. The current Chinese Pharmacopeia includes a Dahuang monograph, but its drug-level status should not be mistaken for a validated R. tanguticum-specific chemical profile. Five free anthraquinones are analytically accessible compositional markers but are not species-specific identifiers; glycosides, sennosides, stilbenes, tannin-related chemistry, phenylbutanones, and polysaccharides require matrix- and evidence-specific interpretation. We conclude that no single marker establishes botanical identity, efficacy, or safety. A defensible research strategy combines official compliance with voucher-supported authentication, validated multi-class profiling, processing-sensitive measurements, and safety assessment. The proposed panels are research priorities, not validated release specifications.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -