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Abstract
Several species of Senna are well known for their therapeutic properties, being used in folk medicine to treat throat inflammation and constipation. In this regard, the anti-inflammatory, laxative and intestinal motility effects of different extracts of Senna macranthera (Colladon) H. Irwin and Barneby leaves were determined. The hexane extract significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats in a manner similar to that of sodium diclofenac. A laxative effect was observed for the methanolic and hexane extracts comparative to the standard drug bisacodyl; however, only the hexane extract increased the intestinal motility in the studied period. Moreover, the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activity and the ethyl acetate extract presented a pronounced activity comparable to the standard rutin. Phytochemical screening was also performed and phenolic compounds like flavonoids, tannins and coumarins were observed in all extracts except for the hexane extract, which instead presented anthrones, triterpenes and steroids in its composition. The HPLC profile showed the presence of the anthraquinone emodine in all tested extracts.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and to Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF) for financial support, to Dr Fatima Regina Salimena for the botanical identification of the species and to the Reproduction Biology Center of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora for providing the rats.