[1] Chrysophanol (other names; 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-anthraquinone and chrysophanic acid) was found commonly within Chinese medicine and is a naturally occurring anthraquinone.

[2] Studies have been conducted on the benefits of chrysophanol and have found that it can aid in preventing cancer, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, retinal degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, osteoarthritis, and atherosclerosis.

[5] as well as alleviate diabetic nephropathy [6] Furthermore, it can protect bronchial cells from cigarette smoke extract induced apoptosis.

[8] Chrysophanol has also been used to inhibit T-Cell activation and protect mice from dextran sulphate sodium induced inflammatory bowel disease.

[9] It was shown to have attenuated the pro-inflammatory cytokines that were present in the colon tissue due to sulphate sodium induced inflammatory bowel disease.

[6] It also has the potential to protect bronchial cells from cigarette smoke extract by repressing CYP1A expression which is usually produced due to excessive reactive oxygen species.

[8] Chrysophanol can also aid in treatment for inflammatory bowel disease by inhibiting inflammation by targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines that are in tumour necrosis factor α.

[13] It also has expressed the capability to be classes as an ATC code A10 drug due to its effect on diabetic nephropathy as well as being able to lower lipid absorption.

[4] This is due to the different mechanisms for each, with chrysophanol thought to bind to the stomach to disturb lipid absorption, while atorvastatin decreases cholesterol production in the liver.