Laxative rhubarb

Anthraquinone derivatives (e.g., cascara, aloe, senna, and rhubarb) are among the oldest laxatives known. They act on the colon rather than on the ileum and produce evacuation 8 to 10 hours after administration. This makes them particularly suitable for dosage overnight. Cascara sagrada is one of the mildest of the anthraquinone-containing laxatives. 

Danthron (1,8 dihydroxyanthraquinone) derivatives occur in senna, cascara, rhubarb. They are highly effective, and the main side effect is excessive laxative effect and abdominal pain. Danthron reparations shouid oniy be used in older patients and the terminally ill because of the risk of lepatotoxicity. 

Rheum officinale Baill. R. koreanum Nakai R. palmatum L. R. tanguticum Maxim R. undulatum L. Tai Huang (Rhubarb) (rhizome) Anthraquinones, chrysophanol, emodin, physcion, aloe-emodin, rhein, chrysophenol, rheum tannic acid, gallic acid, calechin, bianthraquinonyl, sennosides (R. undulatum also contains rhaponticin).1 33 236,510 This herb may be toxic. Potent laxative, antibacterial, anthelmintic, anticancer, stimulate the large intestine and increase the movement of luminal contents toward the anus, resulting in defecation. Antispasmodic, choleretic, hemostatic, diuretic, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol level. 

Rhubarb is used traditionally as both a laxative and an antidiarrheal agent (see Chapter 57). 

Rhubarb is a laxative, primarily owing to its influence on the motility of the colon, inhibiting stationary and stimulating propulsive contractions. This results in an accelerated intestinal passage and, because of the active chloride secretion, an increase in the water and electrolyte content of stool. 

Irritant agents used in the treatment of constipation include cascara sagrada, castor oil, senna, rhubarb, phenolphthalein, and acetphenolisatin. Phenolphthalein is a constituent of many over-the-counter preparations, including Corrected , Ex-Lax , and Feen-A-Mint . Most of these agents, with the exception of castor oil, are slow in their onset of action (24 h). 

LAXATIVES Gently loosen the bowels.—Cascara Sagrada, Dandelion, Feverfew, Golden Seal, Mountain Flax, Psyllium, Senna, Turkey Rhubarb. 

The anthraquinone group of laxatives includes senna, danthron, cascara, rhubarb and aloes. In the small intestine soluble anthraquinone derivates are liberated and absorbed. These are excreted into the colon and act there, along with those that have escaped absorption, probably after being chemically changed by bacterial action. 

Rhubarb is used therapeutically in many parts of the world as a stimulant laxative as well as a homeopathic remedy. Chronic stimulant laxative use may result in structural changes to the colon. 

L., the common garden rhubarb. Rhubarb, like Ginseng and Ephedra, is one of the oldest and most widely used Chinese drugs. Chemically it contains a most complex mixture of anthracene glycosides, the most important of which are the dimeric Sennosides. Tannins are also found which can counteract the laxative effect and at low doses (0.05-0.5 g) it is their astringent effect that predominates. Higher doses of 1-2 g have a mild laxative effect. Extracts are also used in the treatment of mouth ulcers. 

Concomitant use of Chinese rhubarb is cautioned with antiarrhythmic drugs and botanicals containing cardiac glycosides, as long-term use of Chinese rhubarb as a laxative can cause potassium loss, leading to increased toxicity of those drugs and botanicals (Drinker 2001 De Smet 1993 ESCOP 2003). 

Use of stimulant laxatives, such as Chinese rhubarb, may reduce the gastrointestinal transit time and thus reduce the absorption of orally administered drugs (Drinker 2001 De Smet 1993). 

Anthraquinone glycosides have long been used medicinally as cathartics and laxatives. Plant-derived drugs of this type include aloes Aloe species), cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiams), frangula (Rhamnus frangula), rhubarb (Rheum officinale), rumex or yellow dock (Rumex crispus) and senna (Cassia spp.). Many of the commercial preparations (patent medicines) based on these plants are readily available. 

Rhubarb and its extracts are used in certain laxative preparations. 

Dietary Supplements(Health Foods. Chinese rhubarb used in various laxative formulations included as an ingredient in the unconventional cancer treatment formula Essiac for which the garden rhubarb is sometimes erroneously substituted. Tonic rhubarb alcoholic beverages are made in China and Italy. ... 

Laxatives Castor oil (01. ricini) Drastic purgatives (Japal, colocynthus, polophyllum) Anthraquinones (Cascara, senna, danthron, rhubarb, aloes, cassia angustifolia etc.)... 

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