Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Rhein also known as cassic acid is a substance in the anthraquinone group obtained from rhubarb. Like all such substances rhein is a cathartic. Rhein is commonly found as a glycoside such as rhein-8-glucoside or glucorhein. Rhein was first isolated in 1895. It is found in rhubarb species like Rheum undulatum and Rheum palmatum as well as in Cassia reticulata.Originally the rhubarb plant which contains rhein was used as a laxative.
