Background:Cassia angustifolia L. (senna) is traditionally used as a laxative. Its major components are sennosides that are responsible for the laxative effect. Senna is recommended for the short-term treatment of acute constipation. Nevertheless people use its preparations as self-medication, often for long periods, to treat chronic constipation thus exposing themselves to adverse reactions. Most reactions were associated with hepatotoxicity. Aims: The present study was aimed to evaluate the toxicity of a C. angustifolia leafextract (standardized at 60% of sennosides) on rat liver cells and the long-term effects on liver functions, in Wistar rats. Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed in a buffalo normal rat liver cell line (BRL-3A) by the trypan blue assay and the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction test. In vivo effects were observed after oral administration of the extract for 4 or 8 weeks at doses of 12 and 58 mg/kg/day. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed, the postmortem examination was performed and serum was used for biochemical analysis. Liver samples were used for histomorphological and immunohistochemical examination along with the determination of oxidative stress parameters. Results and Conclusion: In BRL-3A cells, the extract was cytotoxic at concentrations that appear largely higher than those attainable in humans. In Wistar rats, the extract did not induce any significant change in all of the parameters tested. In summary, the present study indicates a lack of hepatotoxicity of senna at doses higher than those generally used in humans.

Keywords:
Senna, Cassia angustifolia, Hepatotoxicity, Liver functions, BRL-3A cells
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel
2011
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.