title: Senna alata.
abstract: A review is made of chemical, ethnopharmacological and pharmacological papers dealing with Senna alata (L.) Roxb., a plant that belongs to the Creole traditional system of medicine and that has recently been introduced in the French Pharmacopoeia. The proofs existing for its various usages are presented. The species is mainly used against constipation and skin diseases. The laxative activity is supported by scientific findings. In contrast the dermatologic use requires further investigation. The species can be considered as safe for short-term or topical use.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, E.A. 1043, Université Lille Nord de France (Lille 2), Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques B.P. 83, 59006 Lille Cedex, France. thierry.hennebelle@univ-lille2.fr
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hennebelle
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weniger
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Sevser
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahpaz
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bailleul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005602:France; D054368:Laxatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D010602:Pharmacopoeias as Topic; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029846:Senna Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives; D012676:Senna Extract