Cassia angustifolia

Introduction:

Senna is an arabian name first brought into use by Arabian Physician Seraplum and Mesue. Senna plants are small shrubs of family Laguminosae cultivated either in Somalia, the arabic peninsula and near the Nile river.

Pharmacoghostic Features: • Botanical Origion: Cassia angustifolia Vahl/Cassia

acutifolia• Family: Leguminosae• English Name: Alaxandrian Senna( C.Senna.L), East India

Senna, Cassia Lenitiva• Urdu Name: Sana Makki• Part Used: Dried leaves and Pods• Chemical Class: Glycosides• Chemical Constituent: Sennoside A,B,C & D, Salicylic

Acid, Resins, Small amount of Volatile oil,Tannins, Essential oil, Resin, Chryophenic acid, Palmidine A,B,C• Tradition: Senna was used as Love Sachet.

Uses:• Purgative• Cathartic• Eases biliousness• Clean the system of worms

Mechanism of action:Seena contain chemicals called sennosides. They irritate the linning of the upper intestine which provokes muscular activity in the colon resulting in bowl motion.

Dosage:• In children 8.5mg/day.• In elderly people 17mg/day.

Precaution:• It is usually taken before bed to produce a bowl movement 6-

12 hours later when you wake up. • It should not be used for more than 7 days.

Caution: It cause nausea and griping pains when use alone but the effect of this can be counterbalanced by using cinnamons, cloves, fennel, ginger or any other aromatic herbs with it. The pods have less griping effect than leaves.

Side Effects: • Severe stomach pain, Severe Diarrhea• Weigh Loss• Constipation becomes severe when you stop taking

senna.• Enlargement of Fingers and Toes.• Low Potassium(uneven heart rates, extreme thrist,

increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness).• Nausea, Upper stomach pain, Itching, Loss of appetite,

Dark urine, Clay colored stools, Jaundice.

Less serious side effects:• Stomach cramps, Bloating gas, Mild diarrhea.• Joint Pain• Discoloured Urine

Contraindication: Avoid use of senna in:• Chronic GI conditions• Colic • Colitis• Dehydration• Hemorhhoids• Inflammation of alimentary canal• Ulcer • Pregnency • Lactation

Drug Interaction:

• Digoxin: Senna is a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxative decrease potassium level in the body and low potassium level increase risk of side effects of Digonin.

• Estrogen: Pills used in hormone replacement therapy contain chemical estrone & senna reduce the amount of estrone. Taking senna reduce enzyme replacement therapy.

• Warfarin: Senna cause diarrhea. Diarrhea increase the effect warferin to the risk of bleeding occur.

• Diuretic Drug: Diuretic decrease potassium level in the body and senna also. So if we take both drugs at the same time then the too much decrease of potassium level in the body take place.

References:• www.drugs.com• www.m.webmd.com• Text book of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry

by Biren Shah/A.K.Seth