Ma Qinge, Wang Chong-Zhi, Sawadogo Wamtinga R, Bian Zhao-Xiang, Yuan Chun-Su
Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, P. R. China.
Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Am J Chin Med. 2022;50(3):723-732. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X2250029X. Epub 2022 Mar 24.
Constipation is a very common medical condition worldwide, negatively affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare system. Rhubarb, senna leaf, and aloe are three frequently used herbal medications for achieving regular bowel movement. Rhubarb is also a key ingredient in MaZiRenWan, a Chinese medicine formula used every so often for constipation in oriental countries. We reviewed and summarized the major chemical components from these three botanicals, including dianthrones, anthraquinone glycosides, free anthraquinones, and other polyphenols. The purgative actions of these constituents have been compared. Anthraquinone, especially its dianthrone compounds such as sennoside A and sennoside B, as natural stimulant laxatives, possesses significant effects to promote gastrointestinal motility and relieve functional constipation. Furthermore, the safety, reported side effects, and other benefits of anthraquinone compounds are presented. To date, many anti-constipation natural products are being used but their research is relatively limited, and thus, more investigations in this field are indeed needed.
便秘是一种在全球范围内非常常见的医学病症，对患者的生活质量和医疗保健系统产生负面影响。大黄、番泻叶和芦荟是三种常用于促进规律排便的草药。大黄也是麻子仁丸的关键成分，麻子仁丸是东方国家常用于治疗便秘的一种中药配方。我们回顾并总结了这三种植物的主要化学成分，包括二蒽酮类、蒽醌糖苷、游离蒽醌和其他多酚类。比较了这些成分的泻下作用。蒽醌，尤其是其双蒽酮化合物如番泻苷A和番泻苷B，作为天然刺激性泻药，对促进胃肠蠕动和缓解功能性便秘具有显著作用。此外，还介绍了蒽醌化合物的安全性、报告的副作用和其他益处。迄今为止，许多抗便秘天然产品正在被使用，但它们的研究相对有限，因此，该领域确实需要更多的研究。
