Senna alexandrina commonly known as Senna is an ornamental plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and in the genus Senna. S. alexandrina is also known under the names Egyptian Senna, Indian senna, Senna. The plant is native to North Africa, the Middle East and some parts of Asia. In Asia, it is mostly found in the temperate regions of India and China. The herb received the names âAlexandrian Sennaâ and âEgyptian Sennaâ because Alexandria in Egypt was the main trade port in past times. The fruits and leaves were transported from Nubia and Sudan and other places to Alexandria, then from it and across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and adjacent Asia.
As a herbal supplement, Senna contains a variety of molecules and bioactives such as:
The stereoisomers Sennoside A and B (main two, although C-E), found at 1.12-1.24%;