Fax +41 61 306 12 34 E-Mail karger@karger.ch www.karger.com Original Paper Pharmacology 2011;88:252–259 DOI: 10.1159/000331858 Cassia angustifolia Extract Is Not Hepatotoxic in an in vitro and in vivo Study A. Vitalone a S. Di Giacomo a A. Di Sotto a A. Franchitto b C.L. Mammola b P. Mariani c S. Mastrangelo a G. Mazzanti a Departments of a Physiology and Pharmacology ‘V. Erspamer’, b Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, and c General and Specialized Surgery ‘P. Stefanini’, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy amination along with the determination of oxidative stress parameters. Results and Conclusion: In BRL-3A cells, the ex- tract was cytotoxic at concentrations that appear largely higher than those attainable in humans. In Wistar rats, the extract did not induce any significant change in all of the pa- rameters tested. In summary, the present study indicates a lack of hepatotoxicity of senna at doses higher than those generally used in humans. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel Introduction Cassia angustifolia L. (known as Tinnevelly senna, or senna), a plant from the Fabaceae family, is traditionally used as a laxative. It is recommended for the short-term treatment (1–2 weeks) of acute constipation and for clean- ing out the intestine before diagnostic endoscopy [1]. Sen- na leaves consist of dried leaflets. The major chemi- cal components are hydroxyanthracene glycosides, also known as sennosides (A, B, etc.), responsible for the laxa- tive effect. Free anthraquinones, including rhein and aloe emodin, are also present in small quantities. The mechanism of action for the laxative activity is well-known and consists of a stimulation of colonic peri- stalsis by the release of endogenous substances (auta- Key Words Senna  Cassia angustifolia  Hepatotoxicity  Liver functions  BRL-3A cells Abstract Background: Cassia angustifolia L. (senna) is traditionally used as a laxative. Its major components are sennosides that are responsible for the laxative effect. Senna is recommend- ed for the short-term treatment of acute constipation. Nev- ertheless people use its preparations as self-medication, of- ten for long periods, to treat chronic constipation thus ex- posing themselves to adverse reactions. Most reactions were associated with hepatotoxicity. Aims: The present study was aimed to evaluate the toxicity of a C. angustifolia leaf extract (standardized at 60% of sennosides) on rat liver cells and the long-term effects on liver functions, in Wistar rats. Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed in a buffalo normal rat liver cell line (BRL-3A) by the trypan blue assay and the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bro- mide reduction test. In vivo effects were observed after oral administration of the extract for 4 or 8 weeks at doses of 12 and 58 mg/kg/day. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed, the postmortem examination was performed and serum was used for biochemical analysis. Liver samples were used for histomorphological and immunohistochemical ex- Received: April 8, 2011 Accepted after revision: July 18, 2011 Published online: October 13, 2011 Annabella Vitalone Department of Physiology and Pharmacology ‘V. Erspamer’ Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro, 5 IT–00185 Rome (Italy) Tel. +39 064 991 2904, E-Mail annabella.vitalone  @  uniroma1.it © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel 0031–7012/11/0886–0252$38.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger.com/pha Downloaded by: Sapienza Universita di Roma 151.100.66.51 - 5/27/2015 10:51:27 AM