Anthranoid laxatives Plants

Anthranoid laxative plants The anthranoid-containing plants are essentially similar in their mode of action. In this group the active substances are a group of polynuclear or tricyclic hydrocarbon derivatives based on anthracene. Various oxidised and reduced forms constitute the aglycones of a variety of C and O glycosides. The fully oxidised form is the anthraquinone form, with the partially reduced form represented by the an-throne nucleus. Dimeric forms whereby two anthracene nuclei are chemically linked to... 

Anthranoid compounds are widely distributed in various plants particularly in Aloe, Cassia, Rheum, Cassia and Frangula, which are traditionally used in ethnomedi-cine for laxative and cathartic action (Paneitz and Westendorf 1999). Naturally occurring anthranoids can be chemically described as dihydroxyanthraquinones, -dianthrones and -anthrones, often present in plants as glycones (Table 1.2 Paneitz... 

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