Definition

The fruit of Cassia acutifolia and Cassia angustifolia (Cassia) with laxative and purgative activities. The active ingredients in senna fruit include the hydroxyanthracene glycosides sennosides A and B (rhein dianthrones) and sennosides C and D (rhein aloe-emodin heterodianthrones). Sennosides irritate the bowel lining and stimulate the bowel muscular coat, particularly in the colon, resulting in accelerated bowel transit and evacuation.