{"title":"Herbal Medicines for Constipation and Phytochemical Comparison of Active Components.","authors":"Qinge Ma, Chong-Zhi Wang, Wamtinga R Sawadogo, Zhao-Xiang Bian, Chun-Su Yuan","doi":"10.1142/S0192415X2250029X","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Constipation is a very common medical condition worldwide, negatively affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare system. Rhubarb, senna leaf, and aloe are three frequently used herbal medications for achieving regular bowel movement. Rhubarb is also a key ingredient in MaZiRenWan, a Chinese medicine formula used every so often for constipation in oriental countries. We reviewed and summarized the major chemical components from these three botanicals, including dianthrones, anthraquinone glycosides, free anthraquinones, and other polyphenols. The purgative actions of these constituents have been compared. Anthraquinone, especially its dianthrone compounds such as sennoside A and sennoside B, as natural stimulant laxatives, possesses significant effects to promote gastrointestinal motility and relieve functional constipation. Furthermore, the safety, reported side effects, and other benefits of anthraquinone compounds are presented. To date, many anti-constipation natural products are being used but their research is relatively limited, and thus, more investigations in this field are indeed needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":50814,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Chinese Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8000,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"5","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"American Journal of Chinese Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X2250029X","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2022/3/24 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 5
Abstract
Constipation is a very common medical condition worldwide, negatively affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare system. Rhubarb, senna leaf, and aloe are three frequently used herbal medications for achieving regular bowel movement. Rhubarb is also a key ingredient in MaZiRenWan, a Chinese medicine formula used every so often for constipation in oriental countries. We reviewed and summarized the major chemical components from these three botanicals, including dianthrones, anthraquinone glycosides, free anthraquinones, and other polyphenols. The purgative actions of these constituents have been compared. Anthraquinone, especially its dianthrone compounds such as sennoside A and sennoside B, as natural stimulant laxatives, possesses significant effects to promote gastrointestinal motility and relieve functional constipation. Furthermore, the safety, reported side effects, and other benefits of anthraquinone compounds are presented. To date, many anti-constipation natural products are being used but their research is relatively limited, and thus, more investigations in this field are indeed needed.
期刊介绍:
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, which is defined in its broadest sense possible, publishes original articles and essays relating to traditional or ethnomedicine of all cultures. Areas of particular interest include:
Basic scientific and clinical research in indigenous medical techniques, therapeutic procedures, medicinal plants, and traditional medical theories and concepts;
Multidisciplinary study of medical practice and health care, especially from historical, cultural, public health, and socioeconomic perspectives;
International policy implications of comparative studies of medicine in all cultures, including such issues as health in developing countries, affordability and transferability of health-care techniques and concepts;
Translating scholarly ancient texts or modern publications on ethnomedicine.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine will consider for publication a broad range of scholarly contributions, including original scientific research papers, review articles, editorial comments, social policy statements, brief news items, bibliographies, research guides, letters to the editors, book reviews, and selected reprints.