Senna alata

Scientific name: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.

Synonym: Cassia alata L.

Botanical family: FABACEAE

Vernacular names

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Guatemala:

barajo

Dominican Republic:

guajabo

Martinique:

kasyalata

Venezuela:

majagüillo
tarantantán

St Vincent and Grenadines:

river grava
river senna

Trinidad and Tobago:

wild guava
wild senna

Other vernacular names

Guadeloupe:

dattier

Dominican Republic:

Guajabo

Martinique:

kasyalata, cassia alata

St Vincent and Grenadines:

River grava

Venezuela:

Tarantantan

French Guiana:

Wahamubie

Trinidad and Tobago:

Wild senna = wild guava

Geographical distribution

Native of tropical America, cultivated in the tropics of the Old World.

Botanical description

Shrub growing up to 3 m in height. Paripinnate leaves of up to 70 cm in length; leaflets of 6 to 14 pairs, oblong to obovate, 4 to 15 cm, emarginate. Terminal racemes with numerous golden-
yellow flowers; sepals slightly different from each other; 5 petals, almost equal, in the shape of a fingernail. Linear flat sheath with 4 wide crenulate wings; dark brown to black seeds.

Voucher(s)

Delens,138,VEN

Longuefosse&Nossin,36,HAVPMC
Girón,154,CFEH
Jiménez,3528,JBSD
Balland,44,HVB
Delaigue,25,NHTT
Boulogne,TB,17,UAG

fungal growth (mycosis between fingers or toes)

leaf, crushed, cataplasm²

lota (small light marks on the skin)

leaf, infusion or decoction, applied locally²⁵

paño (pityriasis versicolor)

leaf, juice, applied locally⁴

skin conditions

leaf, juice, applied locally^1,25

tinea

fresh leaf, crushed with salt, applied locally⁵

skin conditions

leaf, aqueous maceration, bath^1-2

pimples

leaf, aqueous maceration, bath³

For skin conditions or skin pimples:
wash 2-3 leaves adequately before removing the leaflets from them, chop 30 grams of leaflets and add them to 4 cups (1 litre) of boiled water. Leave to settle for 12 hours. Wash the affected
area 2-3 times a day⁴.

For ringworm or fungus (mycosis interdigital):
clean the wound with boiled water and soap. Wash 1 leaf adequately before removing the leaflets from it, crush them and apply 5 grams of plant material on the skin of the affected area.
Cover with a dressing or clean cloth and change 3-4 times a day.

For lota or rash (Pityriasis versicolor):
prepare a decoction or infusion with 30 grams of leaves in 4 cups (1 litre) of water. For decoction, boil for 5 minutes in a covered vessel. For the infusion, add the boiling water to the 30 grams of leaves and cover. Allow to cool, strain (filter) and wash the affected area 2-3 times a day for 20-30 days.

One or two leaves can also be washed adequately before removing the leaflets from them. Crush the leaflets in a mortar, possibly adding a few drops of boiled water, until the juice is
squeezed out. Filter the preparation before washing the affected area 2-3 times a day for 20-30 days.

Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

According to the information available:

The use for skin conditions and pimples, rash (Pityriasis versicolor), tinea and fungi (interdigital mycosis) is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the
TRAMIL surveys, the toxicity studies and the scientific information published.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or if the symptoms persist for more than 5 days, seek medical attention.

The treatment of lota or rash (pityriasis versicolor) should last for 20 to 30 days; it is common to see relapses due to not following the recommendations, and the symptoms reappear. If the
pityriasis versicolor symptoms are seen to persist for more than 30 days, seek medical attention.

All topical application must follow strict hygiene measures that prevent contamination or additional infection.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 5 years.

TRAMIL Work²² The fresh leaf decoction at 30% (extract yield 13.6 mg/ml) was administered in a single dose of 6154 mg plant material/kg body weight (maximum volume 2 ml/100 g) orally in
Sprague Dawley rats (3 males and 3 females). The control was carried out with distilled water with the same number of animals and characteristics. They had a 24-hour period of constant observation, followed by 14 days. There was no death or other adverse clinical signs; no organ damage was observed in the histopathological studies. The extract showed no toxicity in this
test.

TRAMIL Work23
The crushed fresh leaves (0.6 g plant material on shaved skin in a 4 x 3 cm patch for 24 h), in topical application in Wistar rats (5 females and 5 males), acute topical toxicity model, did not cause death or any other adverse signs in the 14 days of observation. The histological study of the organs showed no lesions.

TRAMIL Work24
The aqueous maceration at 20 (0.6 ml, equivalent to 0.12 g of fresh plant material, on an area of approximately 6 cm2), was applied topically on the skin of male New Zealand rabbits. The
patch was removed after 4 hours and observations were made for erythema and oedema readings at 24, 48 and 72 hours, with no clinical signs evident, and therefore the fresh leaf decoction is in the non-irritant category.

The hydroalcoholic maceration (57.28%) from dried leaves orally in Swiss albino mice (weight 18 to 22 g) showed a LD50 =1459.32 mg/kg according to the OECD-1987 method²⁵.

The hydroalcoholic leaf extract (10 g dry plant/kg), orally and subcutaneously in mice, showed no obvious signs of toxicity²⁶.

The hydroalcoholic extract (30%) from the foliage, administered at concentrations of 0.50 to 2.91 mg of total solids/ml, in the in vitro test with Aspergillus nidulans D30 (mitotic segregation) and at doses of 0.60, 1.21, 2.43 and 1313, 2625, 5250 mg/kg in the in vivo micronucleus induction test, showed no mutagenic activity²⁷.

There is no information available documenting the safety of use in local application in children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The leaves contain anthraquinones: aloe-emodin, chrysophanic acid, rhein^8-9, dihydroxymethylanthraquinone; tannins¹⁰, but no saponins¹¹.

The fruit contains alkaloids¹²; the leaf and flower do not contain leucoanthocyanins.¹¹.

The plant contains anthracene derivatives of aloe-emodin and rhein¹³.

TRAMIL Work¹⁴
The aqueous (10%) and hydroalcoholic extracts (95%) from fresh leaves, in vitro, were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Candida albicans. The aqueous extract did not inhibit the growth of any strain. The hydroalcoholic showed activity against all the microorganisms studied, specifically Trichophyton rubrum (100%) and Microsporum canis (83%).

The juice of the whole plant in vitro against Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans was inactive¹⁵.

The extract from dried leaves in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus (penicillin sensitive and resistant strains), isolated from secretions and by scraping the skin of patients, showed
antibacterial activity. Another sensitive type of bacteria was Streptomyces pyogenes¹⁶.

The infusion of the young dried leaves in vitro (5%) completely inhibited the growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum inguinalis, but it was not active in 2.5%¹⁷. These extracts did not inhibit (2.5 and 5%) the growth of Candida albicans or Cryptococcus neoformans¹⁸.

The decoctions of the leaves, stem bark and roots (1 ml) in vitro against Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, M.canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were inactive¹⁷.

The dried ethanolic leaf extract applied in ointment (10% polyethylene glycol base) on rabbit skin showed healing activity¹⁹.

The aqueous leaf extract (in concentrations of 100, 90 and 80% depending on the area of the body) applied topically in humans with Pityriasis versicolor, eliminated the fungus Malassezia
furfur that causes the disease²⁰.

The hydroalcoholic extract (50%) from the dried leaves was attributed with antihistamine activity²¹.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

1 DELENS M, 1990-92
Encuesta TRAMIL. Centro al Servicio de la Acción Popular CESAP, Caracas,Venezuela.
2 DELAIGUE J, 2005
TRAMIL survey. PRDI, Tobago House of Assembly, Scarborough, Tobago.
3 LONGUEFOSSE JL, NOSSIN E, 1990-95
Enquête TRAMIL. Asociation pour la valorisation des plantes médicinales de la Caraïbe AVPMC, Fort de France, Martinique.

4 GIRON L, 1988
Encuesta TRAMIL (Costa atlántica). Centro Mesoamericano de Tecnología CEMAT, Guatemala, Guatemala.
5 BOULOGNE I, 2008
Enquête TRAMIL, Les Saintes (Terre-de-Bas), UAG, Guadeloupe (FWI).
6 CASTILLO D, RODRIGUEZ S, DE LOS SANTOS C, BELEN A, 2003
Encuesta TRAMIL (región Este). Dep. de Botánica, Jardín Botánico Nacional, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.
7 BALLAND V, GLASGOW A, SPRINGER F, GAYMES G, 2004
TRAMIL survey. enda-caribbean, IICA, UAG & U.PARIS XI, Saint Vincent.
8 HARRISON J, GARRO C, 1977
Study on anthraquinone derivatives from Cassia alata L. (Leguminosae). Rev Per Bioquim 1(1):31-33.
9 MULCHANDANI N, HASSARAJANI S, 1975
Isolation of 1,3,8-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone from Cassia alata (leaves). Phytochemistry 14:2728b.
10 HAUPTMANN H, NAZARIO L, 1950
Some constituents of the leaves of Cassia alata. J Am Chem Soc 72:1492-1495.
11 RAO C, SUBHASHINI G, 1986
Saponins & leucoanthocyanins in Cassia L. Curr Sci 55(6):320-321.
12 SMOLENSKI S, SILINIS H, FARNSWORTH N, 1975
Alkaloid screening. Lloydia 38(3):225-255.
13 RAI M, UPADHYAY S, 1988
Screening of medicinal plants of Chindwara district against Trychophyton mentagrophytes: a causal organism of Tinea pedis. Hindustan Antibiot Bull 30(1/2):33-36.
14 FIALLO M, VAZQUEZ TINEO M, 1992
Evaluación in vitro de plantas usadas en afecciones de la piel: Extractos vegetales antimicóticos y antimicrobianos. Informe TRAMIL. CIBIMA, Fac de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma UASD, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.
15 ACHARARIT C, PANYAYONG W, RUCHATAKOMUT E, 1983
Inhibitory action of some Thai herbs. Mahidol Univ Fac Pharm Bangkok, Thailand.
16 BENJAMIN TV, LAMIKANRA A, 1981
Investigation of Cassia alata, a plant used in Nigeria in the treatment of skin diseases. Quart J Crude Drug Res 19(2/3):93-96.
17 CACERES A, LOPEZ BR, GIRON MA, LOGEMANN H, 1991
Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytic infections. 1. Screening for antimycotic activity of 44 plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol 31(3):263-276.
18 FUZELLIER MC, MORTIER F, LECTARD P, 1982
Activité antifongique de Cassia alata L. Ann Pharm Fr 40(4):357-363.
19 PALANICHAMY S, AMALA BHASKAR E, BAKTHAVATHSALAM R, NAGARAJAN S, 1991
Wound healing activity of Cassia alata. Fitoterapia 62(1):153-156.
20 DAMODARAN S, VENKATARAMAN S, 1994
A study on the therapeutic efficacy of Cassia alata, Linn. Leaf extract against pityriasis versicolor. J Ethnopharmacol 42(1):19-23.
21 MOKKHASMIT M, NGARMWATHANA W, SAWASDIMONGKOL K, PERMPHIPHAT U, 1971
Pharmacological evaluation of Thai medicinal plants (cont.). J Med Assoc Thai 54(7):490- 504.
22 MARTINEZ MJ, MOREJON Z, LOPEZ M, BOUCOURT E, BARCELO H, LAYNEZ A, FUENTES V, MORON F, 2003
Clases Toxicidad Aguda (CTA) de hoja fresca de Senna alata (L.) Roxb. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Dr. Salvador Allende”, La Habana, Cuba.
23 MARTINEZ MJ, BETANCOURT J, LOPEZ M, MOREJON Z, FUENTES V, MORON F, 2005
Clases tóxicas agudas tópica de hoja fresca machacada de Senna alata. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Dr.Salvador Allende”, La Habana, Cuba.
24 LOPEZ M, MARTINEZ MJ, MOREJON Z, BOUCOURT E, FERRADA C, FUENTES
V, MORON F, 2005
Irritabilidad dérmica primaria de la maceración acuosa de hoja fresca de Senna alata (L.) Roxb. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina “Dr. Salvador Allende”, Cerro, C. Habana, Cuba.
25 LOGARTO PARRA A, SILVA YHEBRA R, GUERRA SARDINAS I, IGLESIAS BUELA L, 2001
Comparative study of the assay of Artemia salina L. and the estimate of the medium lethal dose (LD50 value) in mice, to determine oral acute toxicity of plant extracts. Phytomedicine 8(5):395-400.
26 MOKKHASMIT M, SWATDIMONGKOL K, SATRAWAHA P, 1971
Study on toxicity of Thai medicinal plants. Bull Dept Med Sci 12(2-4):36-65.
27 VIZOSO A, RAMOS A, VILLAESCUSA A, BETANCOURT J, GARCIA A, PILOTO J, DECALO M, 2002
Passiflora incarnata L. y Senna alata (L.) Roxo: Estudio toxicogenético que emplea 2 sistemas de ensayos a corto plazo. Rev Cubana Plant Med 7(1):27-31.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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Senna alata

Vernacular names

Guatemala:

Dominican Republic:

Martinique:

Venezuela:

St Vincent and Grenadines:

Trinidad and Tobago:

Guadeloupe:

Dominican Republic:

Martinique:

St Vincent and Grenadines:

Venezuela:

French Guiana:

Trinidad and Tobago:

Geographical distribution

Botanical description

Voucher(s)

Pharmacopoeia

References

Disclaimer