Rhaponticin

Rhaponticin is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, and a phytoalexin. It can be found in the rhizomes of Rheum rhaponticum and in the roots of Rheum undulatum. Rhaponticin is converted into rhapontigenin in the body.

Chemistry

Rhaponticin is a stilbenoid, which is a subclass of phenols. Phenols are a class of chemical compounds consisting of a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. Stilbenoids are derived from stilbene and have a 1,2-diphenylethylene core. This core structure can be synthesized in a variety of ways, but the most common method is through a Perkin reaction.

Biosynthesis

Rhaponticin is biosynthesized from resveratrol by the action of the enzyme resveratrol 3-O-glucosyltransferase. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a glucosyl group from uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose) to resveratrol, forming rhaponticin.

Pharmacology

Rhaponticin is metabolized into rhapontigenin in the body. Rhapontigenin has been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and it is thought that rhaponticin may also have similar effects. However, more research is needed to confirm this.

Sources

Rhaponticin can be found in the rhizomes of Rheum rhaponticum, a plant native to Siberia, and in the roots of Rheum undulatum, a plant native to East Asia. These plants have been used in traditional medicine for their various health benefits, including their potential anti-cancer properties.

See also

• Phenols
• Stilbenoids
• Rheum rhaponticum
• Rheum undulatum
• Resveratrol
• Rhapontigenin