PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is a plant species that exhibits antiplatelet activity [PMID:34546536] and has been used in traditional antidiabetic applications [PMID:32744345].
Background
Rumex acetosella, also known as sheep sorrel or red sorrel, is a flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae [PMID:33474359]. It is a dioecious species [PMID:24430525] and is sometimes categorized as a meadow weed [PMID:32390852].
Traditional uses
The plant has been traditionally used for antidiabetic purposes [PMID:32744345]. It is also a component of the Essiac mixture, an alternative-medicine anti-cancer therapy [PMID:11365626].
Active compounds
Phytochemicals from R. acetosella include anthraquinone aglycons such as emodin, Aloe-emodin, physcion, and rhein [PMID:29707146], as well as phenolic compounds [PMID:23625429, PMID:30127827].
Mechanism of action
R. acetosella inhibits platelet function by down-regulating MAPK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt phosphorylation and modulating GPVI signaling [PMID:34546536]. Its extracts also demonstrate the ability to inhibit alpha-glucosidase [PMID:32744345] and both urease and alpha-amylase [PMID:23625429].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DPlatelet aggregation
Rumex acetosella extract inhibits platelet aggregation, calcium mobilization, granule secretion, and fibrinogen binding to integrin αIIbβ3 [PMID:34546536]
Evidence DType II Diabetes Mellitus
Ethanol and ethanol-water extracts remarkably inhibited α-glucosidase [PMID:32744345]
Evidence CCancer
The Essiac mixture containing sheep sorrel contains compounds with antioxidant activity and the ability to block cell growth [PMID:11365626]
Safety & adverse effects
A review of patients taking Essiac (which contains sheep sorrel) showed no obvious toxicity [PMID:11365626].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and reviews of herbal mixtures; there are no clinical trials provided to establish efficacy or standardized dosing.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 34546536 (2022) — Rumex acetosella Inhibits Platelet Function via Impaired MAPK and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling. · Chinese journal of integrative medicine
- 2.PMID: 11365626 (1998) — Essiac for cancer? · TreatmentUpdate
- 3.PMID: 32744345 (2020) — Inhibitory potential on key enzymes relevant to type II diabetes mellitus and antioxidant properties of the various extracts and phytochemical constituents from Rumex acetosella L. · Journal of food biochemistry
- 4.PMID: 24430525 (1971) — The mechanism of sex determination in Rumex acetosella. · TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik
- 5.PMID: 33474359 (2018) — Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of sorrel (Rumex acetosa). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources