Surreal illustration of rhubarb targeting liver cancer cells.

Can Rhubarb Extract Fight Liver Cancer? New Hope for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists explore how rhubarb's natural compounds could offer a new strategy in the fight against liver cancer by targeting key signaling pathways."

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common and deadly form of liver cancer, presents a significant global health challenge. While advancements in early detection and surgical techniques have improved outcomes, long-term survival rates remain unsatisfactory due to tumor recurrence and metastasis. Sorafenib, a first-line targeted drug, has limitations, underscoring the urgent need for safer, more effective treatments.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been a source of potential therapeutic agents, and Rheum palmatum (RP), commonly known as rhubarb, has garnered attention for its medicinal properties. Historically used to treat gastrointestinal and liver diseases, recent studies suggest that rhubarb extract possesses anti-cancer effects. This article explores the latest research investigating rhubarb's potential to combat HCC by targeting specific molecular pathways.

Researchers are particularly interested in how rhubarb extract impacts the STAT3 signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and survival. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists hope to unlock new strategies for treating HCC and improving patient outcomes.

How Does Rhubarb Extract Target Liver Cancer?

Surreal illustration of rhubarb targeting liver cancer cells.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, investigated the effects of Rheum palmatum extract on HCC cells. Researchers found that RP extract significantly reduced the viability, migration, and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. This suggests that rhubarb may contain compounds that directly inhibit the growth and spread of liver cancer cells.

The research team discovered that RP extract suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3, a protein that activates genes involved in cell growth, survival, and metastasis. This indicates that rhubarb's anti-cancer effects are mediated, in part, by disrupting the STAT3 signaling pathway. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

Reduced Cell Viability: RP extract decreased the survival of HCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
Inhibited Migration and Invasion: The extract hindered the ability of HCC cells to migrate and invade surrounding tissues.
Suppressed STAT3 Phosphorylation: RP extract reduced the activation of STAT3 and its upstream kinases, JAK2 and Src.
Downregulated STAT3 Target Genes: The extract decreased the expression of genes regulated by STAT3, including those involved in cell survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis.
Reduced Tumor Growth In Vivo: RP extract suppressed the growth of HCC tumors in a mouse model.

These results suggest that Rheum palmatum extract effectively targets key steps in cancer development by modulating the STAT3 signaling pathway. This highlights the potential of rhubarb as a source of novel anti-cancer compounds.

A New Avenue for Liver Cancer Treatment?

The study provides compelling evidence that rhubarb extract may offer a new approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting the STAT3 signaling pathway. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and optimize its use, rhubarb extract holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and why is it a major health concern?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and deadly form of liver cancer, posing a significant global health challenge. Despite advances in early detection and surgical techniques, long-term survival rates remain low due to tumor recurrence and metastasis. The limitations of existing treatments, such as Sorafenib, highlight the urgent need for safer and more effective therapies to combat HCC and improve patient outcomes.

How does Rheum palmatum (rhubarb) extract work against liver cancer?

Rheum palmatum (RP), commonly known as rhubarb, has shown promise in combating HCC by targeting specific molecular pathways. The RP extract has demonstrated the ability to reduce the viability, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. The extract suppresses the phosphorylation of STAT3, a key protein in cancer cell growth and survival, and downregulates the STAT3 target genes. Furthermore, it reduced the growth of HCC tumors in a mouse model, indicating its potential to inhibit cancer development by modulating the STAT3 signaling pathway.

What is the role of the STAT3 signaling pathway in liver cancer and how does rhubarb extract interact with it?

The STAT3 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the growth, survival, and metastasis of cancer cells. Rhubarb extract disrupts this pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of STAT3 and its upstream kinases, JAK2 and Src. This action leads to the downregulation of genes regulated by STAT3, including those involved in cell survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis. By modulating this pathway, rhubarb extract inhibits key steps in cancer development, offering a potential new strategy to treat HCC.

What are the key findings from the study on rhubarb extract and liver cancer?

The study revealed several key findings regarding the effects of Rheum palmatum (RP) extract on HCC cells. Firstly, RP extract reduced the survival of HCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Secondly, it inhibited the migration and invasion of HCC cells. Moreover, the extract suppressed the activation of STAT3 and its upstream kinases, JAK2 and Src, and decreased the expression of genes regulated by STAT3. Finally, RP extract suppressed the growth of HCC tumors in a mouse model. These results collectively suggest that RP extract effectively targets key steps in cancer development by modulating the STAT3 signaling pathway.

What are the implications of using rhubarb extract as a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)?

The study provides compelling evidence that rhubarb extract may offer a new approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting the STAT3 signaling pathway. This presents a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer, particularly considering the limitations of existing treatments like Sorafenib. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and optimize its use. The implications include the possibility of developing safer and more effective treatments, improving patient outcomes, and potentially reducing tumor recurrence and metastasis in HCC patients.