title: [A crossover control study of prophylactic treatment of chemotherapy-induced constipation by senna extract].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the prophylactic effects of senna extract 40 mg/kg on chemotherapy-induced constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two patients suffering from constipation after chemotherapy were assigned to Group AB and Group BA. Group AB referred to patients who first took senna extract in the 1st chemotherapeutic course and the crude fiber diet in the 2nd chemotherapeutic course. But the sequence was just the opposite in Group BA. The effective rates of relieving chemotherapy-induced constipation by senna extract and by the crude fiber diet were observed. The differences of the digestive tract reaction and the hematotoxicity reaction were compared. The conditions of patients' abdominal pain and stool properties were observed after they took senna extract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effective rate of constipation by taking senna extract was 92.68% and that by the crude fiber diet was 10.93%, with statistical difference shown (P < 0.01). There was no statistic difference in adverse reaction rate such as decreased neutrophils over degree II, decreased hemoglobin, decreased platelet, nausea, vomit, etc. (P > 0.05). The occurrence rate of abdominal pain over degree II after taking senna was 8.54%. In the distribution of stool properties, the rate of loose stool was 35.53%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Senna extract 40 mg/kg was effective and safe in treating chemotherapy-induced constipation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tumor, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang.
authors.forename: Li-Ming
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jian-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Tong-Xin
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012676:Senna Extract