Plants are interesting natural resources that have had a close association with
mankind since their existence. Their utility ranges from simple food, fodder, varied
commercial and industrial products, and above all, as efficacious medical agents to
cure various human health ailments. Amongst this vast reservoir of natural economical
wealth, Rhubarb (Rheum Linn; Family: Polygonaceae), a perennial herb represented by
about 60 extant species occurring across Asian (mostly restricted to China) and
European countries, is one of the oldest and best-known medicinal plant species which
finds extensive use in different traditional medical systems. Over the past several
decades, and owing to the pharmacological efficacy of Rhubarb, the plant species has
been subjected to different natural and anthropogenic pressures in the regions of its
occurrence, rendering it threatened. In this context, the present chapter provides the
basic account of Rhubarb while giving a gist of its therapeutic potential vis-à-vis major
bio-active secondary chemical constituents. Additionally, the focus has been given to
the in vitro production system of this wondrous drug for its sustainable conservation
and meticulous utilization while highlighting various attributes of the technique of
tissue culture such as somatic embryogenesis, cell suspension cultures, hairy roots, etc.
, as projected potential approaches for desirable benefits from the genus Rheum.
Keywords: Conservation, Pharmacological efficacy, Phytochemicals, Polygonaceae, Rhubarb, Threatened, Tissue culture.
