SENNA EXTRACT 10:1 (SENNA ALEXANDRINA)(LEAF)

Senna alexandrina, a shrub native to regions of Egypt, India, and Sudan, has been revered for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, particularly within Ayurvedic and Unani systems, as a natural aid for digestive regularity. The 10:1 extract from its leaves represents a concentrated form of this botanical, capturing its primary characteristics and beneficial compounds. This potent extract is derived through a meticulous process that concentrates the active constituents present in the Senna leaf, ensuring a higher potency compared to raw leaf powder. Its historical use underscores its efficacy in promoting healthy bowel function and supporting overall digestive wellness, making it a foundational ingredient in many natural health remedies aimed at gastrointestinal support.

The primary bioactive compounds responsible for Senna's well-documented laxative effects are sennosides, specifically sennosides A and B, which belong to the anthraquinone glycoside class. These compounds are largely inactive upon ingestion but are metabolized by commensal bacteria in the colon into active anthrones. These anthrones then exert a dual mechanism of action: they stimulate colonic motility, accelerating the transit of fecal matter, and inhibit the absorption of water and electrolytes from the large intestine. This inhibition leads to increased fluid content in the stool, softening it and facilitating easier bowel movements. Clinical studies, such as those published in *Phytomedicine*, have consistently validated the efficacy of sennosides in addressing occasional constipation.

Senna extract 10:1 is a valuable ingredient for dietary supplement formulations targeting digestive regularity and occasional constipation relief. Its standardization to a specific sennoside content, typically ranging from 8% to 20%, is crucial for ensuring consistent efficacy, predictability, and safety in final products. This extract is commonly incorporated into various delivery forms, including capsules, tablets, and powdered blends, often synergistically combined with dietary fibers, prebiotics, or other carminative herbs for comprehensive gut support. Rigorous quality control measures, encompassing identification, purity testing for heavy metals, and microbial contaminants, are paramount to guarantee product integrity and compliance with global regulatory standards, offering a reliable botanical solution for formulators seeking effective digestive health ingredients.