Pharmacological Properties of Rhus Coriaria and Related Bioactive Compounds

Rhus coriaria, commonly known as sumac, harbours a complex array of bioactive constituents including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins and organic acids. These compounds confer a spectrum of pharmacological actions, notably potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects that underlie protective roles in cardiovascular, hepatic and metabolic health. Sumac extracts exert antimicrobial and antibacterial activities against a range of foodborne and clinical pathogens, while defined tannin fractions display enhanced membrane interactions and can be formulated in liposomal carriers to heighten antimicrobial potency. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal anticancer and antiproliferative effects mediated via cell cycle arrest, induction of autophagy and modulation of key signalling pathways such as NF-κB, STAT3, p38 and ERK1/2. Moreover, nutraceutical applications of Rhus coriaria extend to modulation of glycaemic control, lipid profile improvement and neuroprotective actions. Emerging evidence also highlights the capacity of sumac‐derived compounds to influence gut microbiota and intestinal barrier integrity. Together, these findings support the global significance of Rhus coriaria as a source of functional ingredients, with translational potential in complementary therapies, drug‐delivery systems and the development of novel small-molecule leads.

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Pharmacological Properties of Rhus Coriaria and Related Bioactive Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pharmacological properties of rhus coriaria and related bioactive compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Polyphenols: A broad class of naturally occurring compounds characterised by multiple phenol units, notable for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Flavonoids: A subclass of polyphenols with a characteristic three-ring structure, contributing to free-radical scavenging and vascular protection.

Tannins: High-molecular-weight polyphenols capable of binding proteins and disrupting microbial membranes, often implicated in antimicrobial and astringent effects.

Antiproliferative: The ability of a substance to inhibit or reduce the proliferation of cells, often used in the context of tumour growth suppression.

HOMA-IR: Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, a calculated index used to quantify insulin sensitivity from fasting glucose and insulin levels.

References

1. Phytochemical profiling and investigation of antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and antibacterial properties in spontaneously grown Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) fruits. Food Bioscience (2024).
2. The effect of Sumac on cardiometabolic parameters in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
3. Interaction of Rhus typhina Tannin with Lipid Nanoparticles: Implication for the Formulation of a Tannin–Liposome Hybrid Biomaterial with Antibacterial Activity. Journal of Functional Biomaterials (2023).
4. The Nutraceutical Properties of Rhus coriaria Linn: Potential Application on Human Health and Aging Biomedicine. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
5. Pharmacological and Antioxidant Activities of Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac). Antioxidants (2021).
6. Rhus coriaria suppresses angiogenesis, metastasis and tumor growth of breast cancer through inhibition of STAT3, NFκB and nitric oxide pathways. Scientific Reports (2016).
7. Rhus coriaria induces senescence and autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells through a mechanism involving p38 and ERK1/2 activation. Scientific Reports (2015).