Alexandrian senna

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Alexandrian senna
• Indian senna
• Tinnevelly senna
• true senna
• East Indian senna
• Egyptian senna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassia alexandrina
• Cassia senna

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Senna alexandrina, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Fabales. Furthermore, it is a member of the Fabaceae family and is situated within the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Senna alexandrina, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the African continent. In the northern region, it is widely found within the countries of Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Moving toward the west, its presence extends into the tropical zones of West Africa. Specifically, the species is documented to grow in Benin. Additionally, the plant can be located within the borders of Mali.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna alexandrina is characterized by its specialized adaptation to the Caatinga (stricto sensu) biome, where it thrives within these semi-arid scrubland environments. This species is typically found at low altitudes, with an average elevational range centered around 100 m AMSL. Its presence in this specific habitat indicates a physiological reliance on the seasonal drought patterns and specific soil compositions inherent to the Caatinga ecosystem.

Elevational range mean:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Life history

The life history of Senna alexandrina is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, although its growth patterns can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Categorized as a chamaephyte, the plant maintains its primary growing parts close to the ground level, exhibiting a life form that allows it to adapt to its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, it follows a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its natural seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna alexandrina is characterized by a self-supporting growth habit, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or a large forb. This terrestrial plant reaches an average height of approximately 3 meters and is classified as an independent organism, functioning without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. As a non-climbing, self-supporting species, it maintains a sturdy structure that avoids the liana or vine forms, instead utilizing its woody nature to establish a stable presence in its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna alexandrina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to support its growth and development. This metabolic profile influences its resource acquisition strategies and its physiological response to nutrient-rich or nutrient-poor substrates.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna alexandrina is characterized by a highly flexible flowering phenology and specific seed morphological traits. The plant exhibits a broad flowering window that can occur throughout nearly the entire year, with the flowering season typically starting in March and extending through to December, though the timing remains variable depending on environmental conditions. The production of seeds is consistent, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0147 g to a maximum of 0.02061 g. On average, the seeds possess a mean mass of 0.017655 g, ensuring a standardized reproductive output for the species.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Dec

Seed mass max:

0.02061 g

Seed mass mean:

0.017655 g

Seed mass min:

0.0147 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senna alexandrina has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Veterinary and human toxicology
2. The veterinary quarterly

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. The veterinary quarterly

Chemicals

Senna alexandrina has 55 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Sennoside A, Sennoside B, Sennosides, Anthraquinones, sennoside.

Sennoside A

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung
2. Metabolites
3. Pharmacology
4. The American journal of Chinese medicine
5. Shokuhin eiseigaku zasshi. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan

Sennoside B

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Metabolites
3. Pharmacology
4. The American journal of Chinese medicine
5. Shokuhin eiseigaku zasshi. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan

Sennosides

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
4. International journal of molecular sciences
5. Shokuhin eiseigaku zasshi. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan

Anthraquinones

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Metabolites

sennoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutisch weekblad. Scientific edition

AFB1

1. Food additives & contaminants. Part B, Surveillance

AFLATOXIN B1

1. Food additives & contaminants. Part B, Surveillance

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

ANTHRAQUINONE

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Aloe emodin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Senna alexandrina has 310 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Laxative, Purgative, Antibacterial, Hypolipidemic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of biological macromolecules
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Purgative

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
3. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Hypolipidemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of biological macromolecules

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Senna alexandrina has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include constipation, Hymenolepis diminuta, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, laxative.

Constipation

1. Metabolites
2. Acta bio-medica de L'Ateneo parmense : organo della Societa di medicina e scienze naturali di Parma

Hymenolepis diminuta

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Diarrhea

1. Shokuhin eiseigaku zasshi. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Acta bio-medica de L'Ateneo parmense : organo della Societa di medicina e scienze naturali di Parma

Laxative

1. Frontiers in plant science

Obesity

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Preparations

Senna alexandrina has 7 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 10% Cassia senna, 1:1 mixture (5% + 5%) of fruits from these plants, finished product form, fresh fruits, fruit.

10% cassia senna

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

1:1 mixture (5% + 5%) of fruits from these plants

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

Finished product form

1. Frontiers in plant science

Fresh fruits

1. The veterinary quarterly

Fruit

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

Leaves

1. The veterinary quarterly

Powdered

1. Frontiers in plant science