Home Ingredients Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract)
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Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract)

Rheum rhaponticum L.
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Rhapontic rhubarb is the root of Rheum rhaponticum, a non-laxative species of rhubarb used as a source of hydroxystilbene glycosides such as rhaponticin and desoxyrhaponticin and their aglycones rhapontigenin and desoxyrhapontigenin. The strongest clinical evidence for this botanical comes from the standardized ERr 731 branded extract, which has been studied in placebo-controlled trials of perimenopausal women and shown to reduce Menopause Rating Scale scores, hot flushes, and night sweats through selective estrogen receptor beta activation. Generic rhapontic rhubarb extracts on the supplement market typically lack the same level of analytical standardization and controlled trial evidence, so this entry frames generic rhubarb root as a category whose most rigorous human data are tied to the ERr 731 form rather than to unstandardized commodity extracts.

Studied Dose ERr 731 standardized extract has been studied at 4 mg per enteric-coated tablet once daily for 12 weeks, with open-label extensions to 96 weeks; doses for non-standardized rhapontic rhubarb products vary widely and are less well validated.
Active Compound Hydroxystilbene glycosides rhaponticin and desoxyrhaponticin, along with their aglycones rhapontigenin and desoxyrhapontigenin; act preferentially at estrogen receptor beta.

Benefits

Helps reduce menopausal hot flashes (standardized form)

Standardized rhapontic rhubarb root extract has been shown in placebo-controlled trials of perimenopausal women to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats over 12 weeks; most rigorous data are tied to the standardized ERr 731 form rather than generic rhubarb extracts.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Supports overall menopausal symptom relief

Daily use of standardized rhapontic rhubarb extract is associated with improvements in composite menopausal symptom scores covering vasomotor, psychological, and somatic complaints, supporting comfort during the perimenopausal transition without reliance on hormone therapy.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Helps maintain mood and emotional balance

Clinical trial data with standardized rhapontic rhubarb suggest improvements in subscales relating to anxiety, irritability, and depressed mood in perimenopausal women, helping support emotional well-being during fluctuating hormones.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Provides non-estrogenic hormonal support

As a selective estrogen receptor beta-preferring botanical, rhapontic rhubarb hydroxystilbenes offer menopausal symptom support without measurable activation of estrogen receptor alpha in standard assays, distinguishing it from classical estrogenic preparations.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Selective estrogen receptor beta activation

The aglycones rhapontigenin and desoxyrhapontigenin preferentially bind and transactivate estrogen receptor beta in cellular reporter assays while showing essentially no transactivation of estrogen receptor alpha, mimicking the receptor profile thought to mediate central menopausal symptom relief.

2

Modulation of hypothalamic thermoregulation

Estrogen receptor beta activation in hypothalamic neurons is implicated in stabilizing the thermoregulatory set point, providing a hypothesized mechanism by which rhapontic rhubarb hydroxystilbenes reduce hot flash frequency and night sweats in perimenopause.

3

Lack of uterotrophic estrogen receptor alpha signaling

Because rhapontic rhubarb hydroxystilbenes do not transactivate estrogen receptor alpha, preclinical and clinical safety data show no endometrial thickening or proliferation, distinguishing the botanical from classical estrogen-containing menopause therapies.

Clinical trials

1
12-week perimenopausal RCT (standardized form)

Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of one enteric-coated standardized rhapontic rhubarb tablet (ERr 731) daily for 12 weeks (Heger et al., Menopause).

109 perimenopausal women with climacteric complaints.

Standardized rhapontic rhubarb extract produced significantly greater reductions in Menopause Rating Scale II total score and in individual hot flash and somatic subscales versus placebo. Was rated effective and well tolerated, with no estrogenic endometrial effects observed.

2
Confirmatory 12-week perimenopausal RCT

Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled confirmatory trial of standardized rhapontic rhubarb root extract (ERr 731) for 12 weeks (Kaszkin-Bettag et al., Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine).

112 perimenopausal women with menopausal symptoms.

Confirmatory trial replicated significant reductions in Menopause Rating Scale total score and in hot flash frequency and severity versus placebo over 12 weeks, with good tolerability. Strengthens evidence that the standardized rhapontic rhubarb form is effective in perimenopausal symptom relief.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Mild gastrointestinal complaints such as stomach discomfort or nausea have been reported.
Occasional headache or dizziness may occur, particularly at higher doses.
Allergic-type skin reactions are uncommon but possible in sensitive individuals.
Breast tenderness has been reported infrequently in menopausal women.
Unstandardized rhubarb root extracts can vary in stilbene content and effect.

Important Drug interactions

May theoretically interact with hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives via estrogen receptor signaling.
Caution with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors due to estrogen receptor activity.
Concurrent use with other phytoestrogen supplements may compound estrogenic-type activity.
Theoretical interaction with anticoagulants such as warfarin warrants medical supervision.

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Frequently asked questions about Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract)

What is the recommended dosage of Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract)?

The clinically studied dose for Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract) is ERr 731 standardized extract has been studied at 4 mg per enteric-coated tablet once daily for 12 weeks, with open-label extensions to 96 weeks; doses for non-standardized rhapontic rhubarb products vary widely and are less well validated.. Always follow product labeling and consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosing recommendations.

What is Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract) used for?

Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract) is studied for helps reduce menopausal hot flashes (standardized form), supports overall menopausal symptom relief, helps maintain mood and emotional balance. Standardized rhapontic rhubarb root extract has been shown in placebo-controlled trials of perimenopausal women to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats over 12 weeks; most rigorous data are tied to the standardized ERr 73…

Are there side effects from taking Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract)?

Reported potential side effects may include: Mild gastrointestinal complaints such as stomach discomfort or nausea have been reported. Occasional headache or dizziness may occur, particularly at higher doses. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying conditions or take medications.

Does Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract) interact with medications?

Known drug interactions may include: May theoretically interact with hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives via estrogen receptor signaling. Caution with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors due to estrogen receptor activity. Consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider if you take prescription medications.

Is Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract) good for women's health?

Yes, Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum root extract) is researched for Women's Health support. Standardized rhapontic rhubarb root extract has been shown in placebo-controlled trials of perimenopausal women to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats over 12 weeks; most rigorous data are tied to the standardized ERr 731 form rather than generic rhu…

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Heger M, Ventskovskiy BM, Borzenko I, Kneis KC, Rettenberger R, Kaszkin-Bettag M, Heger PW. Efficacy and safety of a special extract of Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731) in perimenopausal women with climacteric complaints: a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Menopause. 2006;Menopause. 2006 Sep-Oct;13(5):744-59..PubMedUsed to support: Foundational 12-week RCT of standardized rhapontic rhubarb (ERr 731) showing significant reductions in Menopause Rating Scale II score and hot flashes versus placebo.
  2. Kaszkin-Bettag M, Ventskovskiy BM, Solskyy S, Beck S, Hasper I, Kravchenko A, Rettenberger R, Richardson A, Heger PW. Confirmation of the efficacy of ERr 731 in perimenopausal women with menopausal symptoms. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2009;Altern Ther Health Med. 2009 Jan-Feb;15(1):24-34..PubMedUsed to support: Confirmatory 12-week RCT of standardized rhapontic rhubarb extract in 112 perimenopausal women, supporting efficacy on Menopause Rating Scale and hot flashes versus placebo.
  3. Wober J, Möller F, Richter T, Unger C, Weigt C, Jandausch A, Zierau O, Rettenberger R, Kaszkin-Bettag M, Vollmer G. Activation of estrogen receptor-beta by a special extract of Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731), its aglycones and structurally related compounds. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2007;J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2007;107(3-5):191-201..PubMedUsed to support: Mechanistic study showing standardized rhapontic rhubarb extract and its aglycones selectively activate estrogen receptor beta but not estrogen receptor alpha in cellular reporter assays.