A Case Report of Retracted Publications in Pharmaceutical Science as a Remedy for Research Malpractice

Background: The number of retractions of journal articles has sharply increased in recent decades. Objectives: In this case report, excessive retracted publications on the anti-cancer properties of physcion 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (PG) in recent years were presented and discussed, in comparison with those of physcion. A literature search for technical and review papers on the anti-cancer properties of PG and physcion was conducted via Google Scholar and PubMed. PG and physcion are bioactive anthraquinones. In this study, 13 out of 20 papers (65%) and 3 out of 16 papers (19%) on the anti-cancer properties of PG and physcion were retracted, respectively. The main reason for retraction was the copying of figures from previously published papers. None of the notices of retractions highlighted research malpractice. The word ‘RETRACTION’ printed in red on every page of retracted articles may be a more effective deterrent for authors than retraction notices. Conclusion: This case report exemplifies the retraction of publications on the anti-cancer properties of PG and physcion as a form of remedy for research malpractice, only if the process is properly implemented.