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Long-term mucosal alterations by sennosides and related compounds
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Bordeaux II, School of Pharmacy, France.
Pharmacology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Sennosides show good intestinal tolerance in long-term studies. Unlike related compounds, sennosides did not cause significant histological or ultrastructural damage to the mouse jejunum and colon.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Prolonged ingestion of sennosides and related compounds is suspected to cause severe cell poisoning.
- Previous studies on laxative misuse reported conflicting findings regarding myenteric plexus and colonic epithelium injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of sennosides on intestinal mucosa.
- To compare the intestinal toxicity of sennosides with a synthetic anthracene derivative (1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone).
Main Methods:
- Histological and ultrastructural examination of mouse jejunum and colon after long-term sennoside ingestion.
- Comparative analysis of sennoside and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone effects using electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- No intestinal mucosa injury was observed in mice after long-term sennoside ingestion in the initial study.
- Electron microscopy revealed nervous myenteric plexus abnormalities exclusively in animals treated with 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone, not sennosides.
Conclusions:
- Sennosides demonstrate good intestinal mucosa tolerance.
- Aglycosidic-related compounds, such as 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone, may pose a higher risk of intestinal damage.