Senna leaf

Senna leaf

(yinpianxinshen)

[synonym] zhannaye, XieYe (Pharmacology Dacheng), paozhuye (Shanghai standard for processing Chinese herbal pieces).

[source] it is the leaflet of senna angustifolia or Senna acuminata.

[plant morphology] 1. Senna angustifolia

Herbaceous shrubs, up to 1 m tall. Leaflets 5-8 pairs, with short petiole; stipules ovate lanceolate, 2-4 mm long; leaflets ovate lanceolate to linear lanceolate, apex acute, base slightly asymmetric, glabrous or almost glabrous. Raceme axillary, with 6-14 flowers; pedicel base has an ovate bract, easy to fall; sepal 5, long ovate; petal 5, obovate, yellow; stamen 10, upper 3 small, sterile, central 4 equal, bottom 3 curved downward, anther slightly square, base sagittate, 4-locular; pistil curved as sickle, ovary stipitate, sparse hairy. The pods are oblong, 4-6 cm long and 1-1.7 cm wide. The top of the dorsal seam is sharply pointed. The pericarp is chestnut brown and the edge is greenish. There are white hairs when young. There are 4-7 seeds, slightly oblong and flat, flat and slightly concave at the top, with punctate wrinkles, brownish green and linear stipes. The flowering period is from September to December. The fruiting period is next March.

It is found in the tropics, offshore and islands of East Africa, southern Arabia, northwestern and southern India.

② Senna acuminata

The shape of this species is similar to that of the former species, but different from that of the former species, the leaves of this species are long ovate, the apex is sharp or spiny, the base is asymmetric, the back of the leaves is gray green, the flowers are small, the pods are wide, 2-2.5 cm wide, the apex is small and not obvious.

Of the Nile Valley in tropical Africa. Now Hainan and Yunnan have been introduced and cultivated from abroad.

[collection] ① Senna angustifolia: the leaves were picked before flowering, dried in the shade, graded according to leaf size and quality, and packed with water press.

② Senna acuminata: when the fruit is ripe, cut off the branches, pick up the leaves, dry them in the sun, and pack them separately according to the complete leaves and broken leaves.

(1) Senna officinalis

Also known as: tinneville Senna. It is the dry leaflet of plant Senna angustifolia. Most of the leaflets are intact, occasionally mixed with twigs. Petiole about 2 mm long. Leaf blade ovate lanceolate to linear lanceolate, 2-4.5 cm long, 4-15 mm wide, entire, apex pointed with sharp spines, base slightly asymmetric; leaf surface yellowish green, leaf back light yellowish green, slightly hairy, leaf veins protruding. Leathery, slightly tough, with transverse and oblique compression lines on midrib due to packing pressure. The Qi is weak and specific, and the taste is slightly bitter.

② Senna alexandri

Also known as: Egyptian Senna. It is the dry leaflet of plant Senna acuminata. Leaflets often slightly curly, not very straight, and more or less broken, petiole very short; leaf wide lanceolate or long ovate, 2-4 cm long, 7-12 mm wide, leaf tip pointed or slightly convex, entire, base asymmetric. The leaf surface is light green, the leaf back is gray green, slightly hairy, no embossing. It's thin and brittle. Others are similar to the former. The two kinds of commodities are dry, narrow leaf shape, large piece, complete, green color, less stem, no mud and sand is the best, small leaf, yellow color, stemmed, more broken, mud and sand is the second.

Senna is mainly produced in India, Egypt and Sudan. Alexandria Senna is mainly produced in Egypt. At present, the main commodity in the market is Senna.

[chemical constituents] Senna angustifolia contains sennoside C, namely Rhein aloe emodin diacetyl-8,8 '- diglucoside. In addition to sennoside A and B, there are glucosides of rhein and chrysophanol, and trace aloe emodin or emodin glucoside in pods.

Senna acuminata and legume contain 0.85-2.86% and 2.34-3.16% of stilbene, respectively. Rhein, aloe emodin, a small amount of chrysophanol and sennoside a, B and C are separated from them. These anthracenes all exist as glycosides. This plant also contains 3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzoic acid.

Senna auriculata contains tannin, anthocyanin in leaves and polyphenol oxidase in bark.

(1) purgative effect

Senna contains anthraquinone derivatives, and its purgative effect and irritation are stronger than those of other purgatives containing anthraquinone, so it may be accompanied by abdominal pain. The main active ingredients are sennoside A and sennoside B, which are absorbed by stomach and small intestine and then decomposed in liver. The decomposed products excite the disc ganglion through blood circulation to contract the large intestine and cause diarrhea. The effect of senna is more extensive and strong, and it is more suitable for acute constipation than chronic constipation.

② Other functions

In addition to purgative effect, some senna leaves have antibacterial, antibiosis and curare like effects. The water extract of senna (1:4) had inhibitory effect on dermatophytes such as o'duchenne and Nocardia stellata in vitro.

The alcohol extract of senna obovata has antibacterial effect on a variety of bacteria (Staphylococcus, diphtheria, typhoid, paratyphoid, Escherichia coli), but its water extract is only effective on typhoid. The seed of senna auriculata can reduce the fasting blood glucose of dogs, and the whole herb also contains cardiac glycosides.

Sweet and bitter, cold,

"Yinpianxinshen": bitter, cool. "

[Guijing] into the large intestine meridian.

[function indications] diarrhea heat conduction stagnation. Treatment of heat knot constipation, stagnation abdominal distension.

① "Yinpianxinshen": "heat release, benefit intestines, defecate. "

② "Modern practical Chinese medicine": "treat food stagnation, chest and abdomen fullness, constipation impassable. "

[usage and dosage] oral administration: Decoction (later), 1-2 Qian; grind powder, 0.5-1 Qian; or soak in water.

[should avoid] body deficiency and pregnant women should not take.

"Yinpianxinshen": "it should not be used for diarrhea due to moderate cold. "

[selected formula] for weak stomach, dyspepsia, constipation, abdominal distension and chest tightness: senna leaf, rhubarb, tangerine peel, Coptis chinensis and clove. Soak in boiling water for two hours, remove residue and filter, take three times a day. (Modern Practical Chinese Medicine)

[clinical application] treatment of puerperal constipation

Take 2.5 yuan of senna leaves, wash 150 ml of boiling water, and take the dregs once after 2-5 minutes. If the constipation time is too long, take the dregs again after 10 minutes. 100 cases were treated, most of them were effective once. After taking the medicine, a few patients had mild lower abdominal pain. There were no adverse effects such as decreased milk, increased lochia or general discomfort, and the uterus recovered well and lochia decreased after defecation. But it is not suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach.

In modern practical Chinese medicine, senna leaf is a bitter stomach tonic, which can promote digestion; taking an appropriate amount of senna leaf can slow down digestion; if you want to take a large amount of senna leaf, take 4-6cm as an infusion, which will take effect in a few hours and cause diarrhea. "

Chinese PinYin : Fan Xie Ye