Cover -- Anthraquinones in Plants -- Copyright -- Table of Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- Abbreviations and Definitions -- Section 1 Botanical Aspects -- Senna/Cassia -- Botanical Description and Classification -- The Drug -- Folium Sennae -- Fructus Sennae -- Adulterants -- Anthranoid Biosynthesis in the Plants and Ontogenic Fluctuations -- Geographical Distribution and Cultivation -- Use of Related Species -- Preparations -- Conclusion -- References -- Rheum (Rhubarb) -- Botanical Description and Classification -- The Drug -- Radix Rhei -- Anthranoid Biosynthesis in the Plants and Ontogenic Fluctuations -- Geographical Distribution and Cultivation -- Preparations -- Conclusion -- References -- Rhamnus -- Botanical Description and Classification -- The drug -- Cortex Frangulae -- Cortex Rhamnus purshianae -- Anthranoid Biosynthesis in the Plants and Ontogenic Fluctuations -- Geographical Distribution and Cultivation -- Use of Related Species -- Conclusion -- References -- Aloe -- Botanical Description and Classification -- The Drug -- Aloe vera Gel (Aloe Gel) -- Aloe (juice) -- Anthranoid Biosynthesis in the Plants and Ontogenic Fluctuations -- Geographical Distribution and Cultivation -- Use of Related Species -- Conclusion -- References -- Section 2 Chemistry of 9,10-Anthraquinones -- Biosynthesis -- Oxidation-reduction and reactivity -- Photochemistry -- Phenolic characteristics -- Analysis -- Antioxidant and prooxidant activities -- References -- Section 3 Pharmacokinetics -- Conversion by intestinal bacteria -- Conversion of O-glycosyl anthranoids -- Conversion of C-glycosyl anthranoids -- Influence of the bacterial flora -- Systemic absorption, conversion and elimination -- Food matrix influences -- Conclusion -- References -- Section 4 Pharmacodynamics and Safety Aspects -- Introduction -- Types of laxatives and mode of action.

Pharmacodynamics of anthranoids -- Toxicity studies -- Physiological and morphological aspects -- Genotoxicity and mutagenicity -- Reproductive toxicity studies -- Interactions -- Conclusion -- References -- Section 5 Clinical Aspects -- Recommended dose -- The use of anthranoid containing plants for constipation -- Cassia preparations -- Rheum preparations -- Rhamnus purshiana preparations -- Rhamnus frangula preparations -- Aloe preparations -- The use of anthranoid-containing plants in cases of irritable bowel syndrome -- Senna and Rheum preparations -- The use of anthranoid containing plants for bowel cleansing -- Senna preparations -- Rhamnus purshiana preparations -- The use of anthranoids in paediatrics -- Senna preparations -- Rheum preparations -- The use of anthranoids during pregnancy and lactation -- Considerations of the cancerogenic risks of anthranoids -- Clinical safety of anthranoid-containing plant species -- Absolute contraindications -- Relative contraindications -- Clinical safety of Senna -- Clinical safety of Rheum -- Clinical safety of Rhamnus purshiana -- Conclusion -- References -- Section 6 Discussion -- Index.