Conventional flux chamber methods were applied to investigate the mode of action of rhein, an active metabolite derived from colonic microbial fermentation of the naturally occurring sennoside laxatives, in muscle-stripped segments of guinea pig colon. Mucosal or serosal application of rhein (10 nmol/1 to 0.5 mmol/l) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in short-circuit current (Isc) that was superimposed by irregular fluctuations in Isc. The response to electrical field stimulation was increased. The rhein-evoked increase in Isc was reduced by serosal addition of 50 mumol/l bumetanide, 1 mumol/l tetrodotoxin, 1 mumol/l atropine and 10 mumol/l piroxicam but not 100 mumol/l hexamethonium, 1 mumol/l ICS 205 930 or 10 mumol/l cimetidine. The study suggests that rhein activates chloride secretion by excitation of submucosal neurons and release of acetylcholine and endogenous prostaglandins, but not by release of histamine or serotonin.