Analysis of Chemical Composition by GC/MS and Assessment of Anticancer Activity of Rhubarb (Rheum ribes Linn.) Stalks

Rheum ribes Linn. (Polygonaceae) is an important medicinal plant abundantly growing in Iraqi Kurdistan. In Kurdish society this plant is traditionally used as laxative for the treatment of constipation. The aim of present study was to characterize the chemical compounds present in the ethanolic extract of R. ribes and evaluate its anticancer activity. The chemical characterization of ethanolic extract of R. ribes was done by GC/ MS. Its anticancer activity was determined by MTT assay using human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. Sixty-two chemical compounds were identified by GC/MS analysis. Hexatriacontane (11.2%), heptadecane-2,6,10,15-tetramethyl (5.53%), 7-hexadecenal, (z)- (4.63%), vitamin E (3.85%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-yl dodecanoate (3.67%), and tetratriacontane (3.65%) were observed as the major chemical compounds in the ethanolic extract. The ethanolic extract showed a time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 312.31 ± 4.19 µg mL^-1. The present study revealed the anticancer potential of R. ribes extract and provides a scientific basis for its possible use as anticancer remedy.