Anti-platelet stilbenes from aerial parts of Rheum palaestinum

A chemical investigation of biologically active compounds from the aerial parts of Rheum palaestinum has led to the isolation and identification of two stilbenes; trans-resveratrol-3-O-beta -D-glucopyranosid (I) and rhaponticin (II). The structures of these stilbenes were established on the basis of spectroscopic data including MS and NMR. Compounds (I) and (II) have been shown to exhibit anti-platelet activity. Moreover, chrysophanol was also identified and characterized. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.