SENNA Leaf

Synonym   : Indian Senna , Tinnevelly Senna , Sonamukhi etc .

Scientific  Name: Cassia Angustifoila .

Family : Leguminosae                                      

Biological Source/Geographical Distribution :     

          It consist of dried leaflets of Cassia Angustifolia belonging to the family Leguminosae and contains not less than 2% of glycosides calculated as Sennoside B .

Macroscopy:

          a) Apex      :        Acute and Sharp spine.

          b) Margin     :         Extract.

          c) Veins       :         Reticulate. Anastomosing towards the margin.

          d) Lamila     :         Entire flat cracks .

          e) Base        :         Asimetrical .

          f) Shape       :         Lanceolate

Organoleptic/ Morphological Evaluation

a)    Colour  : Yellowish Green .

b)    Odour    : Slight.

c)    Taste      : Bitter and Nucilaginious  .

d)    Size       : 2-5 cm in Length and width is 7 – 8 mm .

Chemical Constituents : The chief chemical constituents are                                     

i) Sennoside A ii) Sennoside B

     

→ They are Crystaline in nature , Other chemical constituents are Napthaline , Glycoside , Anthraquinone Glycoside like Emodine , Anthranol , Aloe- Emodine etc .

 Phytosterol , Resin ,  Mucilage and Calcium Oxalates arte also present . 

                  

Structure

Chemical / Identification Test

          Born Trager Test -  It is  a test for Anthraquinone Glycoside .

          

       Boil the leafs with diluted Hydrozen Sulfuric Acid (       ) . Add immisable organic solvent ( Benzene Carbon Tetra Chloride ) . Shake the test tube and separate upper organic solvent in another test tube . Now add streong Ammonia solution . Shake slightly and keep the test tube Asite . Ammonical layers show pink or red colour . 

Theraputic Use          

i)                    Irritant Purgative in constipation

ii)                   It is belived that gripping effect caused by Senna is due to its Resin and Emodin content  .

Preparartion – Ingridiant of the compound Liquorice Powder .

Microscopic Character of Powder drug

a)      Epidermal Cell – Poygonal Straight wall with parasitic stomata .

b)     Covering Trichomesol – Unicellular acute apex narrow numenconical     

                                                                        shape.

c)      Xylame Vessels – Angular thickening  Lipified .

d)     Calcium Oxalate -  Crystal isolated or in peerenchymata cell .

Difference between Indian Senna and Egypthian Senna

Indian Senna	Egypthian Senna
Shape – Lanceolate	Shape – Pale
Size- 7 to 8 mm	Size – 7 to 12 mm .
Length – 25 to 60 cm	Length- 2 to 4 cm .