This document provides information on various laxatives and their properties. It discusses aloe, castor oil, ispaghula, and senna leaves. For each laxative, it describes the biological source, morphological characteristics, chemical constituents, therapeutic uses, and identification/chemical tests. The key information provided includes that aloe, castor oil, and senna leaves contain anthraquinone derivatives and act as stimulant cathartics, while ispaghula contains mucilage and acts as a soothing agent for constipation.

1. ARCHANA B. CHAVHAN
M.PHARM (QA)
KYDSCT’S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY,
SAKEGAON
LAXATIVES

2. • The drugs are loose the bowels
(Intestine) or the drugs producing
intestinal evacuation.
• Laxatives are indicated in constipation
and in evacuation of the bowel, prior to
diagnostic procedure or surgery.

3. Synonyms:- Aloe, Aloevera
Biological source:- It is the dried juice of the leaves of Aloe
barbadensis Miller. (Curacao aloes)
Family :-Liliaceae
Morphological characters:
Chemical Constituents:-
Aloes contain a yellow coloured crystalline substance known
as barbaloin (C-glycoside) resin and aloe-emodin.
• Aloe emodin
• Barbaloin
Color Bright yellow-ish or rich reddish
brown to black.
Odor Penetrating
Taste Bitter
Size Various Size

4. Therapeutic uses:
 It used as irritant purgative
 It is used as laxative
 It use for cosmetic and protective
 It also used for treatment of radiation burns.
 Promotes oral health.
 Clears acne.
 Relieves anal fissures

5. Castor oil Synonyms:- Oleum Ricini
Biological Source:- It is the fixed oil obtained by the cold
expression of the kernels of seeds of Ricinus communis.
Family:-Euphorbiaceae
Morphological characters:
Color Pale yellow or almost colourless
liquid
Odor Penetrating
Taste Slighthly acrid
Chemical Constituents:-
Triglyceride of ricinoleic acid, fatty acids.
Isoricinoleic, linoleic, stearic and isostearic
acids.

6. Preparation
1. The oil is obtained by two ways; either after
the removal of the seed coat or with the seed
coat.
2. Seed coats are removed by crushing the seeds
under the grooved rollers and then they are
subjected to a current of air to blow the testas.
3. The kernels are fed in oil expellers and at
room temperature they are expressed with 1 to
2 tons pressure per square inch till about 30%
oil is obtained.
4. The oil is filtered, steamed 80–100°C to
facilitate the coagulation and precipitation of
poisonous principle
5. Oil is then filtered and this oil with 1% acidity
is used for medical purpose.

7. Therapeutic uses :-
1. Castor oil is used as a cathartic.
2. It also used for lubrication
commercially.
3. Castor oil can be used as an
irritant/simulative laxative.
4. Castor oil is a natural emollient
Identification Tests
About 5 ml of light petroleum (50° to
60°) when mixed with 10 ml of castor
oil at 15.5° shows a clear solution,

8. Ispaghula Synonyms:- Isapgol, Isabgol
Biological source:- It consists of dried seeds of the
plant known as Plantago ovata Forskal.
Family:- Plantaginaceae
Morphological characters:
Chemical Constituent :-
• Ispaghula seeds contain about 10% mucilage
• It consists of pentosan and aldobionic acid.
• Protein and fixed oil are present in endosperm
and embryo
Color Pinkish-grey or brown
Odor None
Taste Mucilaginous,
Size Length : 10 to 35 mm Width: 1 to 1.75
mm

9. Therapeutic uses :-
• It is also useful in dysentery, chronic diarrhoea,
in cases of duodenal ulcers and piles.
• It works effectively as a soothing agent.
• The husk are used as demulcent, laxatives and
emollient.
• It used as the treatment of chronic construction
amoebic and bacillary dysentery.
• Ispaghula is used in the treatment of
constipation.
Chemical Tests
Ispaghula seeds when
treated with ruthenium
red give red color due
to the presence of
mucilage.

10. Senna Leaves
Synonyms:-Tinnevelly Senna, Indian Senna
Biological source:-
It consist of dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia.
Family:-Leguminosae
Chemical Constituents:-
• It consists not less than 2.0%
• of hydroxyanthracene
• derivatives calculated as sennoside B.
• It contains anthraquinone derivatives.
• The active constituents of the drug. They are sennosideA, sennosideB,
sennoside C, and Sennoside D.
• Senna Leaves also contains rhein, kaempferol, Aloe-emodin and isorhamnetin
etc

11. Indian senna Alexandria senna

12. Therapeutic uses :-
 Senna Leaves are used as laxatives.
 It is an irritant purgative due to
presence of anthraquinone derivatives.
 It causes irritation of large intestine and
have some griping effect.
 They are prescribed along with
carminatives.
 Senna is stimulant cathartic and exerts
its action by increasing the tone of the
smooth muscles in large intestine.
Chemical Test
Borntrager test for anthraquinones
1. leaves are boiled with dilute sulphuric
acid and filtered.
2. To the filtrate organic solvent like
benzene, ether or chloroform is added
and shaken.
3. organic layer is separated, and to it add
ammonia solution.
4. The ammoniacal layer produces pink to
red colour indicating the presence of
anthraquinone glycoside.