|
Introduction
Senna is an Arabian name and the herb was first
brought into use by the Arabian physicians Serapion and Mesue.
Traditionally Senna was used in love sachets. Plants growing at
different localities of India have also been found to contain
different amount of sennoside B in leaves and pods, and also differ
in chromosome morphology. The leaves and pods of this plant contain
the commercially important laxative sennoside B.
Origin
Cassia senna is native to tropical Africa and cultivated in Egypt,
Sudan and elsewhere; Cassia angustifolia is native to India also
and cultivated mainly in India and Pakistan.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
In the leaf; sennosides A and B based on the aglycones
sennidin A & B, senosides C & D which are glycosides
of heterodianthrones of aloe-emodin and rhein are present. Others
include palmidin A, rhein anthrone & aloe-emodin glycosides,
some free anthraquinones and some potent, novel compounds of
as yet undetermined structure. C.Senna usually contains more
of the sennosides. In the fruit; sennosides A and B and a closely
related glycoside sennoside A1. Naphthalene glycosides; tinnevellin
glycoside & 6-hydroxymusizin glycoside Miscellaneous; mucilage,
flavonoids, volatile oil, sugars, resins etc. Pharmacology
The
medicinal action of Senna can be attributed mainly to the anthraquinone
glycosides, especially sennoside A and B. It appears that the
aglycone portion is responsible for its action. The breakdown
of the anthraquinone glycosides in the digestive tract can occur
in one of two ways. The bowel flora can directly hydrolyze themin
a similar way to that of free active aglycone. Alternatively,
in the presence of bile and the sugar moiety, the free aglycone
can be absorbed into the blood stream and secreted later into
the colon. The final result is stimulation of the Auerbach plexus
resulting in increased intestinal muscle contraction. In addition,
its mucilage content decreases bodily absorption of fluid leading
to an enhancement of the final laxative action.
Remedies
Purgative, anthchiiintic, antipyretic, cathartic, laxative,
vermifuge, diuretic.
Senna is a powerful cathartic used in the treatment of constipation,
working through a stimulation of intestinal peristalsis.
Dosage
Root
infusion: - 2-20ml & powder 1-3 gm.
| References: |
| 1. |
BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth. |
| 2. |
Bradley, P.R. (ed.) 1992 British Herbal Compendium, Volume
1, BHMA, Bournemouth. |
| 3. |
Grieve,
M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London. |
| 4. |
Hoffmann,
D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element,
Shaftesbury. |
| 5. |
Lust,
J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London. |
| 6. |
Mills,
S.Y. 1993 The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin,
London (First published in
1991 as Out of the Earth, Arkana). |
|
