Rhein anthrones

N.A. Cinnamic acid, gallic acid, emodin, rhein, rhein anthrones, catechin, anthraquinone compounds, tannin, calcium oxalate.99-100-107-510-511 Treat diarrhea, stimulate appetite, chronic constipation, laxative, cathartic. 

R = C02H, rhein anthrone R = CH2OH, aloe-emodin anthrone... 

The safety and efficacy of senna have been reviewed (4). Its rhein-anthrone-induced laxative effects occur through two distinct mechanisms, an increase in intestinal fluid transport, which causes accumulation of fluid intralumm-ally, and an increase in intestinal motihty. Senna can cause mild abdominal complaints, such as cramps or pain. Other adverse effects are discoloration of the urine and hemorrhoidal congestion. Prolonged use and overdose can result in diarrhea, extreme loss of electrolytes, especially potassium, damage to the surface epithelium, and impairment of bowel function by damage to autonomic nerves. Abuse of senna has also been associated with melanosis coli, but resolution occurs 8-11 months after withdrawal. Tolerance and genotoxicity do not seem to be problems associated with senna, especially when used periodically in therapeutic doses. 

All of the anthraquinones can cause cramping and abdominal discomfort. Chronic use can be associated with melanosis coU. The urine can be colored red. The possibihty of colonic injury has been discussed (see General adverse effects of laxatives in this monograph). Hepatitis, confirmed by rechallenge, has been reported, possibly due to re-absorption of rhein anthron produced in the intestine (SEDA-16, 425). 

Several studies have been conducted in order to establish and better understand the mode of action of anthranoid laxatives. For example, Lemli [14] presented a review of the study of the mode of action of sennosides, Fig. (1) the active constituents of the senna drug. An interaction between rhein-anthrone, the active metabolite of sennosides, and the immune cells of the colon is suggested as a base for laxative activity. Several studies aimed to... 

This synergistic effect in mice results from synergistic stimulation of large intestinal transit and large intestinal water secretion [15,16], Recently, several investigations have been performed to determine whether intracaecally administered rhein-anthrone and anthraquinones such as aloe-emodin, Fig. 

TLC has been useful also for following the fermentative oxidation of rhein-anthrone to rhein and rhein-dianthrone [136] solvent II on silica gel G was used. 

Polygonum multifolrum Thunb. P. chinensis L. He Shou Wu Huo Tan Mo Cao (Hill buckwheat) (root, stem, leaf) Chrysophenol, emodin, emodin methyl ester, rhein, glycoside rhaphantin, lecithin, parietin, chrysophanic acid, anthron.33-49-54-442 A laxative, detoxicant for boils. Treat neurosis, neurasthenia, insomnia, hypercholesterolemia. 

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