Herbal Medicine for the Management of Laxative Activity

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 were 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.

Social Media and Nutritional Guidelines in Pregnancy

“…The foods that were warned against without any scientific evidence of harm in pregnancy include aloe vera, raw honey, and tamarind. Aloe vera can be used as a treatment for constipation and can cause gastrointestinal cramping, which could theoretically be associated with uterine cramping 19 . There are no published studies showing a risk of imbibing aloe juice by pregnant people at any gestation.…”

“…Aloe vera can be used as a treatment for constipation and can cause gastrointestinal cramping, which could theoretically be associated with uterine cramping. 19 There are no published studies showing a risk of imbibing aloe juice by pregnant people at any gestation. Unpasteurized or raw honey has a theoretical risk of listeria because it is not pasteurized, but there is no evidence of risk in pregnant people, and raw honey may have some natural antimicrobial properties.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Fungal Polysaccharides in Gut Microbiota Regulation: Implications for Diabetes, Neurodegeneration, and Oncology

“…This group of bacteria plays an important role in digesting complex molecules like polysaccharides and fibers, thereby contributing significantly to the host's energy metabolism and overall gut health. Bacteroidetes are involved in breaking down carbohydrates that are indigestible by human enzymes, converting them into SCFAs like acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which serve as energy sources for the host and help maintain the health of the gut lining [53,54]. 3 Actinobacteria, although not as abundant as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are critical in the development of immune system processes.…”

Antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of Ajuga iva (L.) leave extract

“…However, other plants such as Molineria capitulata , Holigarna longi folia and Steudnera colocasii folia , had weak anti-diarrheal potentials, in spite of the abundance of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomolecules and the existence of interactions between the plant extracts and digestive tract enzymes [ 11 , 17 , 24 ]. Moreover, other plants induced laxative effects such as Prunus persica, Planta goovata, Cassia auriculata d other plants [ 25 ]. an.…”