Laxative property

Because Olestra is not digested, it behaves much like mineral oil. The laxative properties, which are widely discussed, appear on the label. Like other indigestible lipids, Olestra can dissolve fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids, which makes them unavailable for absorption. 

As bulk sweeteners have not specified ADI values, a similar range of intake studies is not available, and laxative properties more or less exclude excessive intake. 

The synthesis of optically active diaryl methanols 27 is of particular synthetic value, since their core structure represents a molecular scaffold which is relevant to numerous biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals possessing an-tihistaminic, anticholinergic, local-anesthetic, and laxative properties. Examples include neobenodine 28, orphenadrine 29, and carbinoxamine 30 [31]. 

Parrish et al. (1979D) have suggested that lactulose could partially replace sucrose and corn sweeteners in intermediate-moisture foods. They studied the sweetness of lactulose over a concentration range of 5 to 35% (w/w), showing that the sweetness was 48 to 62% of that of sucrose. Because of its laxative properties, only limited amounts could be tolerated in foods. 

Fumitory has weak diuretic and laxative properties and acts as a cholagogue. Traditionally, it has been used to treat cutaneous eruptions, conjunctivitis (as an eye lotion), and chronic eczema. 

Golden seal is stated to be a stimulant to involuntary muscle, and possesses stomachic, oxytocic, antihemorrhagic, and laxative properties. Traditionally, it has been used for digestive disorders, gastritis, peptic ulceration, colitis, anorexia, upper respiratory catarrh, menorrhagia, postpartum hemorrhage, dysmenorrhea, topically for eczema, pruritus, otorrhea, catarrhal deafness and tinnitus, conjuctivitis, and specifically for atonic dyspepsia with hepatic symptoms. 

Ispaghula is believed to have demulcent and laxative properties. Traditionally, ispaghula has been used in the treatment of chronic constipation, dysentery, diarrhea, and cystitis. It may applied topically as a poultice for furunculosis. 

Lactitol 40 is a disaccharide that has been used in the management of hepatic encephalopathy, a major neuropsychiatric complication of both acute and chronic liver failure. It has mild laxative properties and is used to reduce the production and absorption of gut-derived neurotoxic substances symptomatic of hepatic encephalopathy. Although long considered a first-line pharmacological treatment, there is a lack of sufficient evidence to support lactitol s efficacy and continued use when weighed against other suitable therapeutic alternatives such as oral antibiotics <2006MI94>. 

Apart from culinary uses, parsley is known for its anticancer, antioxidant, diuretic and laxative properties. Photosensitizing, toxic furocoumarines, including psoralen, ber-gaptene and isoimperatorin, have been found in parsley roots, which can induce dermatitis (Peterson et al., 2006). 

Tamarind preparations are recognized universally as refrigerants in fevers and as laxatives and carminatives (Morton, 1987). The laxative properties of the pulp and the diuretic properties of the leaf sap have been confirmed by modern medicinal science (Bueso, 1980). In South-east Asia,... 

Kreydiyyeh et al. (2001) provided scientific evidence to confirm the laxative property of parsley, as claimed in folk medicine, and explained its mechanism of action. A perfusion technique was used to measure net fluid absorption from rat colon. The addition of an aqueous extract of parsley seeds to the perfusion buffer, and the omission of sodium, both significantly reduced net water absorption from the colon, as compared with the control. Parsley, added to a sodium-free buffer, did not lead to any further significant change in water absorption as compared with parsley alone suggesting that with parsley, sodium absorption was already inhibited. Since K+ and Cl secretion depends on the activity of the NaKCl2 transporter, the latter was inhibited with furosemide, which increased net water absorption significantly. When parsley and furosemide were... 

Kreydiyyeh, S.I., Usta, J., Kaouk, I. and Al-Sadi, R. (2001) The mechanism underlying the laxative properties of parsley extract. Phytomedicine 8(5), 382-388. 

If the drug is insoluble in water, suspensions have to be administered. In such cases vehicles like sesame oil, hydroxy-methyl-cellulose or hydroxy-ethyl-cellulose can be used. The selection of the vehicle is a critical issue because of inherent toxicity of the vehicle used frequently for kinetic and metabolism studies (e.g. vehicles which form metabolically oxalic acid). Natural oils such as sesame or com oil can be used. However, it should be checked whether the use of oily vehicles alters the gastrointestinal absorption due to their laxative properties and whether oily vehicles can cause oil granulomas (reaction to oily vehicles in the reticulo-endothelial system) in case of parenteral administration. 

Docusate salts are used in oral formulations as therapeutic agents for their fecal softening and laxative properties. As a laxative in adults, up to 500 mg of docusate sodium is administered daily in divided doses in children over 6 months old, up to 75 mg in divided doses is used. The quantity of docusate sodium used as an excipient in oral formulations should therefore be controlled to avoid unintended laxative effects.Adverse effects associated with docusate sodium include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and skin rashes. As with the chronic use of laxatives, the excessive use of docusate sodium may produce hypomagnesemia. ... 

Olive oil is a demulcent and has mild laxative properties when taken orally. It has been used in topical formulations as an emollient and to sooth inflamed skin to soften the skin and crusts in eczema in massage oils and to soften earwax. There have been isolated reports that olive oil may cause a reaction in hypersensitive individuals. Flowever, these incidences are relatively uncommon. " Olive oil is an infrequent... 

LAXATIVE properties. It is used orally for the relief of hyperacidity, dyspepsia and indigestion, and as an adjunct in the treatment of peptic ulcers. It is a component of many compound antacid preparations, eg Algicon , Aludrox , Asilone , Dijex , Gastrocote , Gaviscon , Kolanticon , Maalox and Maclean . 

As it was believed that bisphenolic compounds would have laxative properties, the original research on that class of compounds was done by Ex-Lax Inc., who pursued the development of The synthesis of... 

It is conventional to view the laxative property of vitamin C as a non-harmful side-effect — nothing in comparison with the side-effects of many pharmaceutical drugs — but it may be wiser to view the laxative effect as a deliberate physiological response on the part of the body to potentially toxic levels of vitamin C. 

Castor oil, a glyceride Ricinus communis derivative with stimulant laxative properties (15 to 60 mL p.o.), is used for preparation for rectal or bowel examination or surgery. 

Lactulose, a disaccharide with laxative properties (20 to 30 g p.o. t.i.d.), is used to prevent and treat portal-systemic encephalopathy, including hepatic precoma and coma in patients with severe hepatic disease. 

Magnesium hydroxide, an antacid with laxative properties (6 to 20 ml/p.o.), is used as an antacid, as a laxative in constipation, and in bowel evacuation before surgery. 

MethylceUulose, an absorbent and bulk-forming substance with laxative properties (one tablespoon powder in 240 mL water daily), is indicated in the treatment of chronic constipation. 

Senna is a laxative, which directly acts on intestinal mucosa by altering water and electrolyte secretion, inducing peristalsis and defecation. Senna, an anthraquinone derivative with laxative properties, is used in acute constipation and preparation for bowel examination. 

Kiwifruit are a rich source of dietary fiber among fresh fruits and vegetables. Hayward fruit contain about 2-3 g/100 g FW dietary fiber, which is probably responsible for the mild laxative properties of the fruit (Rush et al, 2002). 

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