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Botanical Name :
Cassia Angustifolia
Sanskrit name :
Swarn Patri
English Name : Indian Senna
Family :
Caesalpinaceae
Plant Parts Used : Pods, Stems And Leaves
Description of Cassia Angustifolia
It is a small erect shrub attaining a
maximum height of 2 to 3 foot. It has pale green stem which is smooth
and erect. It has branches that spread and possess about 4 to 5 pairs of
leaves. These leaves are spear shaped with pointed apex. It is about 1
to 2 inch in length and about 0.2 to 0.3 inch in breadth. Flowers are
small and are of yellow color. It possesses a shiny green plantar
surface and dorsal surface is yellowish green. It possesses a pod which
has a length of 1.4 to 2.8 inch in length and about 0.8 inch broad and
is of brown in color. This pod contains 5 to 7 dark brown colored seeds.
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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.
Herbal Extract packing:
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