|
 Gen info
• The genus Rumex, referred to as docks and sorrels, is a genus of about 200 species of annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. It has an almost worldwide distribution. The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
(28)
• Sometimes referred to as "poor man's ginseng."
• Etymology: The genus name Rumex derives from the Latin rumex, meaning "dart" or "javelin", referring to the plant's narrow, pointed leaves. Alternatively, the genus name refers to something "acid". The specific epithet crispus derives from Latin, meaning "curled", referring to the wavy and curly leaves of the plant species, likewise lending to the common names "curly dock" or "curled dock". Yellow dock refers to the yellow color of the roots.
• It has become a serious invasive species in many areas, including North America, souther South America, New Zealand, and parts of Australia. It is classified as an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959. In the United States, it is classified as a noxious weed in the states of Arkansas and Iowa. (33)
Botany
• Curly dock is an erect, simple
and sparingly branched plant, growing to a height of 30 to 90
centimeters. Leaves are variable in shape, the lower leaves, oblong to
oblong-lanceolate, 1.5 to 30 centimeters long, the upper leaves narrowly
oblong or lanceolate, 8 to 16 centimeters long, with either sharp or obtuse apex, and rounded at the base. Panicles are rather dense and not leafy. Valves are entire, usually tubercles number 3. Achene is oblong-ovoid,
2 millimeter long.
 • Erect, usually stout perennial herbs; stems usually solitary, 6-15 cm long, striate, glabrous to sparsely papillose-pilose. Leaves lanceolate or narrowly oblong-lanceolate, (12-) 16-60 cm long, 0.8-6 cm wide, basal ones wider, glabrous to papillose, margins strongly undulate, crisped, apex acuminate or obtuse, base cuneate to rounded, petioles 2-30 cm long. Flowers usually perfect, usually more than 15 in open verticils, these more or less widely spaced in leafy, racemose or 1-2-branched, narrow, paniculate inflorescences, pedicels slender, recurved; outer tepals 1.2-1.5 mm long, the valves 1.8-2.2 mm long, enlarging to 3-5.5 mm long in fruit, margins subentire to denticulate or crenulate, the faces of 1 or all of the valves with a conspicuous pale brown tubercle, the tubercles variable, 1-2 mm long, the largest one extending at least " as long as the valve. Nuts dark brown, ca. 2.2 mm long, the surface glossy" (Wagner et al., 1999; pp. 1067, 1888). (12)
Distribution
- Naturalized.
(27)
- A recent introduction
to the Benguet area; sparingly naturalized at altitudes of 1,400
to 2,200 meters.
- Common weed in temperate vegetable farms.
- Native of Europe and now a widely distributed weed in temperate countries.
 Constituents
- Roots contain 0.2% and the twigs a trace of oxymethyl-anthraquinone.
- Dried
root yields 0.1% of emodin, and slightly less of chrysophanic acid.
- Plant has yielded tannic acid.
- Also yields oxalic acid and rumicin, a tasteless, golden-yellow substance, which is irritant and has been used to destroy skin parasites.
- Root yields anthraquinone and calcium oxalate; the leaves yield emodin and brassidinic acid.
- Anthraquinones identified include nepodin, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, chrysophanic acid, and rhein.
- Flavanoid compounds identified: quercitrin and quercetin.
- Yields minerals: iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
- Study yielded 15 compounds: beta-sitosterol (1), hexadecanoic acid (2), hexadecanoic-2,3-dihydroxy propylester (3), chrysophanol(4), physcion (5), emodin (6), chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), physcion-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), emodin-8O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), gallic acid (10), (+)-catechin (11), kaempferol (12), quercetin (13), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (14), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (15). (9)
Properties
- Plants from the genus Rumex contain oxalic acid, and in high concentrations can cause renal damage.
-
Root is mildly purgative and astringent, tonic and febrifuge.
- Plant traditionally used as 'blood purifier,' tonic and astringent.
- Alterative, antiscorbutic, depurative, laxative, tonic.
- Studies have suggested antimicrobial, antitrypanosomal, anitplasmodial, antioxidant, antileishmanial , anticancer, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic properties.
Parts
utilized
Leaves, roots and rhizome.
 Uses
Edibility
- Young leaves reportedly used as vegetable, for preparation of hot soups or meat wrappings.
- Caution: See report of fatal poisoning. (16)
Folkloric
- In various traditional folk medicine, decoction and tinctures use for treatment of malaria, various infections, sleeping sickness.
-
Root decoction used for fevers.
- Fresh bruised roots for skin ailments, dermatitis and skin rashes.
- Root decoction used for jaundice, constipation, psoriasis; laxative
effect attributed to anthraquinone.
- Also used to stimulate bile production.
- Liver problems and arthritis.
- Used for acute and chronic inflammation of nasal passages.
- Used as treatment for tapeworms and roundworms.
- For vascular disorders and internal bleeding.
- Applied externally to ulcers, boils and tumors.
- Roots and seeds used for nausea, chronic dysentery, and hepatic disorders.
- Decoction of roots for purgative effect and liver problems.
- In Indo-China, root decoction used for intermittent fevers.
- In India, roots and seeds used as dentifrice; also used for chronic dysentery, nausea, and hepatic disorders. (15)
Others
- Homeopathy: Used in the treatment of severe respiratory affections of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. Used for pneumonia and consumption; for dry, incessant, violent and non-productive coughing.
(19)
Studies
• Antioxidant / Antimicrobial: Study of Rumex crispus showed highest antioxidant
activities with the extracts of leaves and seeds. The ether extracts
of both leaves and seeds and the ethanol extract of leaves showed antimicrobial
activities against S aureus and B subtilis. (4)
• Antimicrobial / Roots: In an evaluation of four medicinal plants for antimicrobial activities, the acetone extracts of the roots of Rumex crispus and A rotundifolius demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against most of the test microorganisms ( S aureus, B subtilis, A hydrophylla, K pneumonia, P aeruginosa and C albicans).
• Phenolic Content
/ Antioxidant / Antibacterial: Study showed the aerial part to have a high
phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The methanolic extract possessed
strong antibacterial activity against Agrogacterium tumefaciens, B cereus,
B subtilis, Pseudomonas corrugate, Pseudomonas syringae, Salmonella
typhimurium, Serratia liquefaciens, V cholera, among others.
Study suggests the aerial part of RC can be used as an effective and
safe source of antioxidants and antibacterial agent. (5)
•
Antioxidant / Antimicrobial / Leaves and Seeds: Study showed the antioxidant activities increased with increasing amount of extracts. The water extracts showed of the leaves and seeds showed the highest antioxidant activities. The ether extracts of leaves and seeds and the ethanol extract of leaves showed antimicrobial activity against S aureus and B subtilis. (6)
• Anti-Leishmanial / Antimicrobial Activity: Six plants with known antimicrobial activity, including Rumex crispus,were screened for inhibition of the protozoal parasite, Leishmania mexicana. The ethanol and DMSO extracts exhibited varying degrees of inhibition against L mexicana. They also caused growth inhibition of several food-borne pathogens and bacteria. (7)
• Anticancer Compounds / Roots: Study showed evidence of toxic compounds in the root of Rumex crispus with the potential to have anti-cancer activity. The study focused on preliminary survey of in vitro effects of root extracts on human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. (11)
• Biomass Effect on Barley Grain Germination: Study investigated the allelopathic-phytotoxic effects of R. crispus on spring barley germination in laboratory experiments. Results showed grounded seed biomass had a significant stimulation effect on spring barley grain germination. (14)
• Fatal Poisoning Report: A case of fatal poisoning is reported attributed to ingestion of Rumex crispus plant material. The patient presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, severe hypocalcemia, metabolic acidosis, and acute hepatic insufficiency. The report emphasizes the risk in using the plant for culinary and medicinal purposes. (16)
• Angelicin / Herbicidal: Study isolated a herbicidally active compound from curly dock. The ECDA fraction was determined as angelicin: 2H-furo[2,3-H]-[1]-benzopyran-2-one. Angelicin was evaluated o barnyard grass, southern crabgrass and indian jointvetch. Results suggest angelicin could be used as lead compound in the development of new herbicides. (17)
• Antioxidant / Antimicrobial / Essential Oils: Study showed the essential oils of R. crispus and R. cristatus exhibited important antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. (18)
• Antioxidant / Fruit: Study evaluated the antioxidant potential of a methanolic extract of ripe Rumex crispus fruits using various assays (FRAP, DPPH) and influence on lipid peroxidation in liposomes. Considerable activity was observed in all test systems. Pretreatment with R. crispus inhibited CCl4-induced oxidative stress by decreasing LPx and increasing GSH content in a dose dependent manner. (21)
• Interactions: (1) Major: Digoxin interacts with digoxin (lanoxin). Laxative effects can decrease body potassium levels. Taking yellow dock with diuretics (furosemide, HCTZ, etc.) can further decrease potassium in the body. (2) Moderate: Warfarin (coumadin) interacts with R. crispus; diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. (22)
• Prevention of Bone Loss
/ Effect on Osteoblast and Osteoclast Differentiation: Study evaluated the pharmaceutical effects of water extract of R. crispus on osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. Results showed the water extract could protect against osteoporosis possibly through a mechanism related to increased osteoblast differentiation by activation of Runx2 signaling and inhibition of osteoclast differentiation by suppression of RANKL signaling. (23)
• Nepodin / Antimalarial: Study evaluated the antimalarial activity of Rumex crispus. A 70% ethanol extract of R. crispus isolated an active compound, nepodin. Nepodin showed a potential selective inhibition of 161.6 and 151.4 against Plasmodium falcifarum 3D7 and P. falcifarum S20. Results suggest a potential antimalarial compound that exhibited inhibitory activity of PfNDH2 and prolonged survival time on the group of nepodin treatment. Furthermore, it inhibited the parasitemia in the animal test. (25)
• Study in Alloxan-Induced Diabetes / Yellow Dock and Goji Berry: Study evaluated the effect of R. crispus and Lycium barbarum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in alloxan induced diabetes in rats. Better results were obtained with L. barbartum followed by R. crispus. the combination of the two showed a weaker effect than the extracts given separately. (26)
• Antimicrobial / Antitrypanosomal / Antiplasmodial / Roots and Leaves: In a study for antimicrobial efficacy using agar dilution method, the acetone extract of root showed highest potency with lowest MIC of <1.562 mg/mL for all bacterial strains and also showed high potency against fungi. The acetone extract of root and methanol extract of leaf showed strong inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum with IC50s of 13 µg/mL and 15 µg/mL respectively. Ethanol extract of root showed highest inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei parasite with IC50 9.7 µg/mL. Ethanol and acetone extracts of root showed highest toxicity in brine shrimp lethality assay. (29)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Inhibition of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of Rumex crispus leaf extract (RLE) on inducing inflammation by LPS in BV-2 microglial cells. Leaf extract treatment resulted in reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production triggered by LPS without causing cytotoxic effects. Protein and mRNA expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 upregulated by LPS were significantly decreased by RLE. RLE also reduced transcriptional expression snd suppressed increased production of inflammatory response of BV-2 cells stimulated by LPS via interference with NF-kB and MAPK signaling pathways. Results suggest potential as preventive agent against diseases triggered by microglial inflammatory responses. (30)
• Anti-Proliferative / Apoptotic: Study evaluated water-soluble compounds from R. crispus for anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells. Results showed L19 fraction was the most potent exhibiting anti-proliferative activity in a dose dependent manner. The fraction induced apoptotic pathways by triggering different capsases and inflammatory pathyways through activation of non-apoptotic genes. Study validated the anticancer property of the L19 fraction and suggests potential as lead compound for synthesis of other novel potent analogues. (31)
• Diuretic and Anti-Inflammatory / Rhizomes: Study evaluated the diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities of root extracts on experimental animals. At dose of 25 mg/kg, the extract showed most pronounced diuretic effect with 90% increase in urine formation compared to Hypothiazide. The extract reduced levels of creative and urea without affecting nitrogen metabolism and urine pH. In a model of acute exudative subplantar inflammation, the extract caused significant inhibition of carrageenan induced edema at dose of 25 mg/kg, close to activity of drug Orthofen. Acute toxicity studies showed the extract to be nontoxic. (32)
Caution
!
• Because of
high oxalic content, leaves should not be eaten in large amounts.
• Case of Fatal Poisoning: Young leaves must be boiled to remove the oxalate content; deaths
have been reported
after consuming uncooked leaves for medicinal purposes. (see study above) (16)
• Because of oxalate content, should be avoided in those with
kidney stones, rheumatism, gout.
• Probably unsafe in pregnancy because of anthraquinone content.
• Anthraquinone is secreted in breast milk, and therefore a concern
for breast feeding mothers.
Availability
- Wild-crafted.
- Supplements, extracts, teas, oils, pellets, root powder in the cybermarket. |
