Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the cell protective effects of Rheum ribes L. and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER-1) levels in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Material and Method: The 32 male Wistar-Albino rats we used in this study were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each; control group (group 1), sham group (group 2), I/R group (group 3), I/R+Rheum ribes L. group (group 4). While no procedure was applied to the control group, 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion was applied to the rats in all other groups. GPER-1 levels in liver tissue were measured with an ELISA reader. Histopathological examination of the tissues was performed under light microscopy.

Results: As a result of biochemical analysis; GPER-1 levels were statistically significantly decreased in the sham and I/R groups compared to control and I/R+Rheum ribes L. groups; in the I/R+Rheum ribes L. group compared to the control group (p <0.05). In the histopathological examination of the liver, necrosis and congestion observed in the Sham and I/R groups were significant when compared to the control group. While vacuolization was observed in a few experimental animals, there was a significant difference in the sham and I/R groups compared to the control group (p ˂0.05). I/R+Rheum ribes L. group showed improvement in histopathological criteria in terms of vacuolization and necrosis compared to the sham group and I/R groups, and the difference was significant. (p ˂0.05).

Conclusion: Rheum ribes L. can protect hepatocytes both with its antioxidant effects and GPER-1 activation.