Medicinal Fruits: Senna Pod Insights

Medicinal Fruits

• Medicinal fruits containing anthracene derivatives are discussed.
• Senna pod, dried ripe fruit of Cassia acutifolia and C. angustifolia, belonging to the Fabaceae family, is a key example.
• Chemical constituents of Senna pod include anthracene derivatives (mainly sennosides A & B), aloe-emodin, rhein, mucilage, and flavonoids.

Medicinal Uses (Senna pod)

• Senna pod is used as a short-term stimulant laxative in occasional constipation.
• Mechanism of action involves stimulating peristaltic contractions, accelerating colonic transit, reducing fluid absorption from the colon.
• It influences electrolyte secretion and absorption in the colon, and increases fluid secretion from the body to the colon.
• Senna's effect typically lasts 8-10 hours, so it's best taken at night.

Contraindications and Warnings (Senna pod)

• Avoid use in cases of undiagnosed abdominal symptoms, appendicitis, severe dehydration, or chronic constipation.
• Overuse symptoms include griping and severe diarrhea with fluid and electrolyte loss.
• Continuous use (over 2 weeks) requires medical supervision due to potential electrolyte imbalance, dependence, or paralytic ileum.
• Not recommended for pregnancy unless dietary changes or fiber laxatives are ineffective.
• Not appropriate for children or nursing mothers.

Drug Interactions (Senna pod)

• Senna may decrease intestinal transit time, decreasing absorption of orally administered drugs.
• Increased potassium loss can amplify the effects of cardiac glycosides like digitalis.
• Senna should not be combined with drugs or herbs causing hypokalemia (e.g., thiazide diuretics, licorice root). This combination could worsen electrolyte imbalance.

Other Medicinal Fruits

• Colocynth (Bitter apple, Peppo): Dried pithy pulp of unripe, fully grown fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (Cucurbitaceae family).

• Chemical Constituents: Amorphous resin (purgative action), triterpene glycosides (cucurbitacins B & E), alkaloids (purgative action).

• Medicinal Uses: Drastic purgative, often combined with Hyoscyamus (antispasmodic) to lessen griping pain. Folk remedy for tumors. Clinical trials are underway to determine anti-tumor activity (cucurbitacins B and E).

• Side Effects/Toxicity: Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and fatality risk with high doses.

• Contraindications: Not for children or pregnant or nursing mothers. Avoid use with hemorrhoids or inflammatory conditions of stomach/intestines.

• Hops: Dried strobile of the pistillate plant Humulus lupulus, belonging to the Cannabinaceae family.

• Chemical Constituents: Oleo-resin (15-30%, contains bitter principles in soft and hard resins), humulone and lupulone (in lipophilic soft resin), hydrophilic β-resin. Volatile oils (0.3-1.0%), mainly β-caryophyllene.

• Medicinal Uses: Sedative, topical antibacterial, for mood disturbances (anxiety, restlessness, sleep disturbances). Traditional use: bitter stomachic to stimulate appetite.

• Side Effects/Toxicity: Respiratory allergy, contact dermatitis, triggered by pollen.

• Contraindications: Should not be used by individuals with depression (sedation may worsen symptoms), concurrent CNS depressant medication (additive effect).

• Capsicum (Cayenne pepper): Dried ripe fruit of Capsicum frutescens (C. minimum), Solanaceae family.

• Chemical Constituents: Pungent principles (capsaicinoids, mainly capsaicin), carotenoid pigments (capsanthin), proteins, fats, vitamins A & C.

• Medicinal Uses: Stimulates and aids digestion, counter-irritant (applied externally).

• Side Effects/Toxicity: Severe irritation to mucosal membranes, potential for allergy (inhalation). Excessive ingestion can cause gastrointestinal, hepatic, and renal damage.

• Contraindications: Caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding (potential for secretion of pungent components in breast milk), use with caution in those sensitive to the components.

• Family Piperaceae (alkaloids): Black pepper, White pepper, and Tailed pepper (Cubebs). This is an entire family of plants containing alkaloids, not just a single fruit.

  • Black pepper: Dried unripe fruit of Piper nigrum.
  • White pepper: Dried ripe fruit of Piper nigrum, but the outer layer has been removed.
  • Tailed pepper (Cubebs): Dried full-grown, unripe fruit of Piper cubeba.
  • Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids (piperine), volatile oil.
  • Medicinal Uses: Animal studies suggest potential to reduce oxidative stress on the liver, thought to support liver function. Possibly linked to chronic bronchitis, antimicrobial properties.
  • Tailed Pepper (Cubebs) specific use: carminative and flavoring agent.

• Cocculus (Fish berry): Dried ripe fruits of Anamirta paniculata (cocculus indicus), Menispermaceae family.

• Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids (Menispermine), toxic principle (Picrotoxin), bitter tasting.

• Medicinal Uses: Picrotoxin is used intravenously as an antidote in barbiturate poisoning.

• Poppy capsule: Dried nearly ripe fruit of Papaver somniferum, Papaveraceae family.

• Chemical Constituents: Opium latex (morphine alkaloid), meconic acid.

• Medicinal Uses: Analgesic, sedative. Used in preparations of opium.

Explore the medicinal properties of Senna pod, the dried ripe fruit of Cassia acutifolia and C. angustifolia. This quiz covers its chemical constituents, medical uses as a stimulant laxative, and important contraindications. Test your knowledge on this vital medicinal fruit and its effects on digestion.