The prospects and potential of the horticultural and pharmacological medicinal herb senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.): A review

The dried leaves and pods of Cassia L., a member of the Caesalpinioideae subfamily of the Fabaceae family and the Cassiinae sub-tribe are called 'senna drug'. The drug is known by the names Senna, Indian Senna, Tinnevelly Senna, and Cassia Senna in the Indian, British, and American pharmacopeias. It appears to be native to North Africa. Sennoside A and B, anthraquinone glycosides responsible for the plant's laxative effects, are found in the leaves, pods, and seeds, which are the plant's most valuable parts. The plant grows as a perennial in the dry regions of Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Southern Arabia, and neighboring countries. Through the Medical School Salerno and the writings of Arab Physicians, it was first introduced into Europe in the 12th century. Cassia accutifolia, or senna as it became known in English, is found in tropical North Africa's Northern Sudan, Egypt's Upper Nile, and some areas of Ethiopia. Senna alexandrina was born in Yemen, the Saudi province of Hadramgunl, and some areas of Sind (Pakistan). It is, however, common along the Gujarat coast, particularly in the Mundra coastal tract and Aigal near Bhuj in the Kutch area of India. The plant must have, at some stage, been transported from its native North Africa to India. It is believed that it was originally used in Tirunelvelle, an area of Tamil Nadu, sometime around the middle of the 11th century. The plant has become a native in India throughout the years. It is grown in semi-arid regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu (Tinunevelle, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Salem, and Tineichirapalli). Senna alexandrina is a tiny, obtuse-branched perennial shrub that grows to 60 to 75 cm. Large, compound, pinnate, 5−8 gugate, oval-lanceolate, plebrous, bluish-green to pale green, lamina 2.5−6 cm long, 7−8 mm broad, whole edge, acutely apical leaves. It typically blooms after 65 to 70 d. Bright yellow, axillary (or subterminal), many erect racemes with membranous bracts have bright yellow flowers. Legumes are flat, 15−17 mm wide, with compressed, obovate, and cuneate seeds. Compared to Cassia angustifolia, Cassia accutifolia has smaller, thinner-consistency leaves and pods. Some taxonomists combined these two species into a single taxon called Cassia senna. Senna is taken orally as a tea, pill formulation, or powder encapsulated to relieve intestinal constipation. Senna has been the subject of several reviews; however, we focus on the most recent facts rather than previous review papers. Senna's origin, botany and taxonomy, agriculture, genetic advancement, cytogenetics, mutation breeding, diseases and pests, pharmaceutical significance, microbiological activities, etc. were thoroughly reviewed. A brief review of available cytogenetics, genetic advancement, and agricultural technology was also addressed.