Senna alata
Cassia alata
Sennat alatas, commonly known as senna or cassia, is a medicinal plant renowned for its potent laxative properties. Primarily harvested from its leaves and pods, it contains sennosides, which effectively stimulate bowel movements. Widely used in traditional and modern medicine, it remains a vital natural remedy for constipation.
- Scientific name: Senna alata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Senna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Senna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Senna alata, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Hindi, it is called पीताम्बर (Peetamber), while in Hindi/Hindustani, it is known as Kas piyant. In the Pangasinan language, it is called Pakayungkung kastila, and in Polish, it is referred to as Strączyniec oskrzydlony. Additionally, in Quechua, the plant is known as Yunka mut'uy.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | पीताम्बर | Wikidata |
| ht | Kas piyant | Wikidata |
| pam | Pakayungkung kastila | Wikidata |
| pl | Strączyniec oskrzydlony | Wikidata |
| qu | Yunka mut'uy | Wikidata |
| fr | Dartrier | Wikidata |
| ta | சீமையகத்தி | Wikidata |
| th | ชุมเห็ดเทศ | Wikidata |
| to | Teʻelango | Wikidata |
| si | ඇත් තෝර | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence is documented within the borders of Benin. It can also be found growing in the landscapes of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the territory of Ghana. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the country of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Senna alata, utilizes various morphological structures for its biological functions and potential medicinal applications. The vegetative structure is characterized by a robust stem that supports the overall growth of the shrub. While the stem bark and the general bark of the plant provide essential structural protection and nutrient transport, the primary sites of metabolic activity are found in the foliage. Both the individual leaf and the collective arrangement of the leaves are prominent features, often recognized by their large size and distinct shape, which are critical to the plant's photosynthetic process.- Total parts
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 23
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| leaf | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Senna alata has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-cineole, 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone, aloe-emodin, anthraquinone, apigenin.
- Total chemicals
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1,8-cineole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aloe-emodin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caryophyllene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| genistein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germacrene D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Senna alata has 14 reported activities identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Senna alata has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Atopic dermatitis, Hymenolepis diminuta, acne vulgaris, asthma.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Atopic dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hymenolepis diminuta | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| helminthiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |