PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Hojas.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Laxante.

POSOLOGÍA= Posology: Se usa la infusión de sus hojas  (folíolos) como laxante . Infusión al 1%

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: De las hojas se han aislado glicósidos antraquinónicos con eficacia comprobada como laxante.

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Geografical zone: Uruguay, Brasil, Argentina. 

ÚLTIMOS AVANCES EN LA QUÍMICA Y ACTIVIDADES BACTERIOLÓGICAS EN LAS PLANTAS MEDICINALES= Medicinal plants, last advances on chemistry and bacteria activities on the medicinal herbs

The genus Senna (K.  Bahuin) Miller (Cassieae) is represented in Argentina by 35 species and several varieties distributed in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions, and presents a high degree of endemism.  Some taxa are used for medicine, animal foraging and ornamental purposes.  Floral morphology, phases, rewards, attractants, visitors, pollen, reproductive system, P/O ratio.  OCI and ISI indexes of enantiostylous Senna corymbosa were analyzed for morphological androecial differentiation and possible related functional differences between stamens groups.  The study was carried out over three consecutive flowering seasons in March of 1999, 2000 and 2001, in two populations near the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The species has a buzz-pollination syndrome.  The pollinators are Bombus atratus that vibrate the stamens, leading to nothotribic or stemotribic deposition of pollen.  P/O ratio and pollen production were high thanks to the precise pollinating mechanism that needs a large delivery of pollen to ensure effective pollen deposition.  P/O ratio also indicates that the species is xenogamous, although geitonogamy and autogamy (only induced, not spontaneous) were also recorded.  The species is self-compatible.  There were differences in hand-pollination treatments between long and medium stamens in fruit set, as well as in vitro differential fertility between their pollen grains.  Hence, there are morphological and functional androecium differences: the medium stamens play a nutritional role while the long ones play a reproductive one.  These differences are reflected in the breeding system.  Moreover, differential fertility and enantiostyly may diminish the effects of self-compatibility by partially reducing the contribution of geitonogamy to selfing.

An infusion of the fruit is reported to be used for kidney problems, the dissolution of kidney stones, and for relieving constipation. The decoction is a common laxative (Uphof 1968).

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Summary
Flowery senna (Senna corymbosa – Leguminoseae) is a widespread species that grows throughout the Central and Northeastern regions of Argentina. Mostly used as a laxative agent, the presence of antraquinones in the leaves and fruits could justify this medicinal use. However, and as in the case of common senna (Cassia alexandrina L.) certain precautions should be taken into account due to the potential toxicity of this species.

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