Some Laxative Crude Drugs for Pharmacy Students BTEUP

 Some Crude Drugs

Synonym	Biological Source	Chemical constituent	Uses	Adulterants/ Allied Species	Substituents
Aloe, Chinese Aloe, Indian Aloe, True Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Burn Aloe, First Aid Plant.	Aloe vera,  A. Ferox,  A. perryi, A. Africana,   A. spicata  Xanthorrhoeaceae	Aloin, Aloe vera leaves contain a range of biologically active compounds, the best-studied being acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones and anthraquinones, and various lectins	cosmetics and alternative medicine, rejuvenating, healing or soothing properties. There is, however, little scientific evidence of the effectiveness, and treatment of diabetes, soothing, moisturizing, and healing properties, of lotions, yogurt, beverages, and some desserts.		A. barbadensis Mill., Aloe indica Royle, Aloe perfoliata L. var. vera  A. vulgaris Lam
Castor Oil Bean, Castor Oil Plant, Palma Christi, Castor Bean Plant, Jarak	Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans, the seeds of the plant Ricinus communis(Euphorbiaceae)	The seeds are 40 to 60 percent oil.  It is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odor. Its Boiling point is 313 °C (595 °F) and its density is 0.961 g/cm3.[3] It includes a mixture of triglycerides in which about 90 percent of fatty acids are ricinoleates. Oleic acid and linoleic acid are the other significant components. Castor oil is well known as a source of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated, 18-carbon fatty acid. Acid name Range Type Ricinoleic acid 85–95 ω−9 Oleic acid 2–6 ω−9 Linoleic acid 1–5 ω−6 α-Linolenic acid 0.5–1 ω−3 Stearic acid 0.5–1 saturated Palmitic acid 0.5–1 saturated Dihydroxystearic acid 0.3–0.5 saturated Others 0.2–0.5	Castor oil has been used orally to relieve constipation or to evacuate the bowel before intestinal surgery. The laxative effect of castor oil is attributed to ricinoleic acid, which is produced by hydrolysis in the small intestine. Use of castor oil for simple constipation is medically discouraged because it may cause violent diarrhea. Food and preservative In the food industry, food-grade castor oil is used in food additives, flavorings, candy (e.g., polyglycerol polyricinoleate in chocolate), as a mold inhibitor, and in packaging. Polyoxyethylated castor oil (e.g., Kolliphor EL)  is also used in the food industry.  In India, Pakistan, and Nepal, food grains are preserved by applying castor oil. It stops rice, wheat, and pulses from rotting. For example, the legume pigeon pea is commonly coated in oil for extended storage. Emollient Castor oil has been used in cosmetic products including in creams and as a moisturizer. It is often combined with zinc oxide to form an emollient and astringent, zinc, and castor oil cream, which is commonly used to treat infants with nappy rash. Medicine Castor oil is used as a vehicle for serums administering steroid hormones such as estradiol valerate via intramuscular  or subcutaneous injection.
Ispaghula Psyllium  Plantago Flea Seed spogel seeds or Indian plantage seeds.	The dried, ripe seeds of Plantago ovata (Plantaginaceae)	All the seeds contain mucilage in the epidermis of the testa. The seeds may be evaluated by measuring the volume of mucilage produced after shaking the seeds with water and allowing to stand (swelling index,) Two fractions have been separated from the mucilage; one is soluble in cold water, and the other in hot water giving a highly viscous solution that gels on cooling. On hydrolysis fractions yield d-xylose, l-arabinose, and aldobiuronic acid. The seeds also contain fixed oil, aucubin glycoside, various bases, sugars, sterols, and protein. The aucubin content differs appreciably in different seed samples and species.	Plantago seeds are used as demulcents and in the treatment of chronic constipation. Ispaghula husk is used for similar purposes but has a higher swelling factor (40–90).	P. asiatica,	P. major
Synonym	Biological Source	Chemical constituent	Uses	Adulterants/ Allied Species	Substituents
Senna, Senna, Indian Senna, Tinnervelly Senna, Cassia Senna	Cassia Angustifolia, (Caesalpinaceae)	sennosides A and B based on the aglycones sennidin A & B, senosides C & D which are glycosides of heterodianthrones of aloe-emodin and rhein are present. Others include palmidin A, rhein anthrone & aloe-emodin glycosides, some free anthraquinone, and some potent, novel compounds of as yet undetermined structure. C.Senna usually contains more of the sennosides. In the fruit; sennosides A and B and a closely related glycoside sennoside A1. Naphthalene glycosides; tinnevellin glycoside & 6-hydroxymusizin glycoside Miscellaneous; mucilage, flavonoids, volatile oil, sugars, resins, etc	habitual costiveness. It lowers bowels and increases peristaltic movements of the colon by its local action upon the intestinal wall. It is used as an expectorant, wound dresser, anti-dysenteric, carminative,   and laxative. Useful in loss of appetite, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, indigestion, malaria, skin diseases, jaundice, and anemia. Leaves are made into a paste and applied to various skin diseases. Purgative, anthchiiintic, antipyretic, cathartic, laxative, vermifuge, diuretic. Senna is a powerful cathartic used in the treatment of constipation, working through a stimulation of intestinal peristalsis  1. Modified Borntrager’s Test: It gives a pink to red coloration for the presence of anthraquinone Glycosides. 2. The mucilage of senna gives a distinct red coloration with Ruthenium Red solution.

 

 Some crude drugs used as laxatives include:

• Senna: An anthraquinone laxative that has an onset of action of 6–8 hours 
• Aloe vera: An anthraquinone laxative that has an onset of action of 8–10 hours 
• Phenolphthalein: A triphenylmethane laxative that has an onset of action of 8 hours
• Bisacodyl: A triphenylmethane laxative that has an onset of action of 6–12 hours 
• Castor oil: A stimulant laxative that can provide relief from constipation within 2–6 hours 
• Mineral oil: An emollient laxative that is a by-product of petroleum distillation

Laxatives can be classified into different types based on their mechanism of action, including: 

Stimulant laxatives: These include bisacodyl, senna, glycerol, and sodium picosulfate
Osmotic laxatives: These include lactulose, lactitol, polyethylene glycols, magnesium salts, sodium citrate, and phosphates
Fecal softeners: These include arachis oil and docusate

Laxatives can cause side effects like dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, nutrient imbalances, and impaction.