Rumex crispus L.: A comprehensive review on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety

Rumex crispus L. (R. crispus) has an extensive history of use as an herbal remedy. Traditionally, R. crispus has been used in various countries as an astringent, laxative, diuretic, mild tonic, blood cleanser, spasmolytic, and cholagogue agent.

This review aims to provide a systematic insight into traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety of R. crispus.

Information associated with traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety of R. crispus were obtained from the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Sci-Finder, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Wan Fang, and KCI databases. The scientific name of R. crispus and its synonyms were checked with the information of The Plant List.

Approximately 224 constituents have been isolated and identified from R. crispus, including anthraquinones, naphthalene derivatives, flavonoids, essential oil, coumarins, stilbenes, and others. The crude extracts and isolates of R. crispus exhibit antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic, antidiabetic, anti-allergic, and other activities. R. crispus is toxic and has adverse effects, including allergenic and symptomatic thrombocytopenia.

Contemporary studies have found that R. crispus possesses a wealth of chemical constituents and pharmacological activities with great promise for research. R. crispus exhibits remarkable promise in its anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-osteoporotic properties. There currently needs to be more publications on R. crispus's active compounds, the relationship between these ingredients and the pharmacological effects, and the remaining unexplored pharmacological activities.