
Senna alexandrina: traditional uses and pharmacological activities in focus
Researchers compiled 219 chemical structures of Senna alexandrina, a plant widely used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal, dermatological, metabolic, and musculoskeletal disorders. Extracts from its leaves, pods, and aerial parts have shown promising pharmacological activities, including laxative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects. The main compounds responsible for these actions are anthraquinones, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Despite the vast ethnobotanical knowledge, the integration between chemical constituents and pharmacological evidence is still limited, with most available data being preclinical and based on extracts. The study highlights the need for future research that isolates and characterizes specific bioactive compounds to allow precise dosing and elucidate mechanisms of action, promoting the clinical translation of the plant's benefits.



