Cassia angustifolia, commonly known as senna, is a shrub cultivated in regions near the Arabian peninsula and Nile river. Its dried leaves and pods are used medicinally and contain sennosides, which act as stimulant laxatives by irritating the lining of the intestines and increasing bowel movements. Senna is commonly used as a purgative or cathartic to relieve constipation and cleanse the digestive system, though long term use can cause side effects like diarrhea, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances. It should be used cautiously by those with gastrointestinal disorders and may interact adversely with certain medications that affect potassium levels or gastrointestinal motility.

1. Cassia angustifolia

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. References:
• www.drugs.com
• www.m.webmd.com
• Text book of pharmacognosy and
phytochemistry by Biren Shah/A.K.Seth