Title:Herbal Medicine for the Management of Laxative Activity
Volume: 23
Issue: 10
Author(s): Muhammad Akram, Muthu Thiruvengadam*, Rida Zainab, Muhammad Daniyal, Marc Moboladji Bankole, Maksim Rebezov, Mohammad Ali Shariati*Eleonora Okuskhanova
Affiliation:
- Department of Crop Science,
College of Sanghuh Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
- K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of
Technologies and Management (The First Cossack University), 109004, Moscow, Russian Federation
Keywords:
Laxative, constipation, medicinal effects, herbal medicines, pharmacological, non-pharmacological.
Abstract: Constipation is one of the most common and prevalent chronic gastrointestinal
conditions across the globe that is treated or managed through various methods. Laxatives are
used for the treatment or management of chronic/acute constipation. But due to the adverse effects
associated with these laxatives, herbal foods should be considered as alternative therapies for
constipation. In this review, the laxative potential of plant-based medicines used for constipation
is discussed. Constipation may be caused by various factors such as lifestyle, particular food
habits, pregnancy and even due to some medication. Chronic constipation is responsible for
different health issues. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological paradigms are applied for the
treatment or management of constipation. In the pharmacological way of treatment, medicinal
plants have a key role because of their fibrous nature. Numerous plants such as Prunus persica
(Rosaceae), Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (Leguminosae), Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae), Planta
goovata (Plantaginaceae), Rheum emodi (Polygonaceae), Cassia auriculata (Caesalpinacea),
Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), Croton tiglium (Euphorbiaceae), Aloe barbadensis
(Liliaceae), Mareya micrantha (Euphorbiaceae), Euphorbia thymifolia (Euphorbiaceae), Cascara
sagrada (Rhamnaceae), Cassia angustifolia (Fabaceae) have laxative activity. Medicinal plants
possess a significant laxative potential and support their folklore; therefore, further, well-designed
clinical-based studies are required to prove and improve the efficacy of herbal medicine for
constipation. The present review showed that herbs laxative effect in various in vivo/ in vitro
models.