Peeranuch Mangmeesri. The comparative effectiveness of cassia fistula pod pulp extract and cassia angustifolia as laxative for constipated patients. ปริญญาโท(Anti-Aging and Regenerative Science). . : Mae Fah Luang University , 2013.
The comparative effectiveness of cassia fistula pod pulp extract and cassia angustifolia as laxative for constipated patients
Abstract:
Cassia fistula Linn. is widely used in Thai folklore medicines for its various medicinal properties. It can be found in every part of Thailand and mostly thrown away as wastes. The pulp of the ripe pods possesses a mild, pleasant purgative action due to anthraquinone glycosides which are active laxative components. Although, the pods have long been used for their laxative effect but no clinical research has been proofed. The objectives of this randomized crossover, double blind, controlled trial were to compare the laxative effectiveness of C. fistula pod pulp extract to C. angustifolia (Senokot®) which is a popular laxative drug, in patients with constipation. Thirty six participants with a diagnosis of constipation based on Rome III Criteria were randomized into 2 groups; the treatment group (n = 17) and standard group (n = 19). The first group was assigned to have five days of treatment with a control drug, Cassia angustifolia (Senokot®), stop taking drug for 5 days, then followed by a sample drug of C. fistula pod pulp extract capsules for another five days. The second group received the same treatment but in reverse order. Each patient received 8 capsules of drug before bed time on each day. Patients reported their progress everyday during the research by filling a daily stool chart. Main outcome measures were stool frequency and quantity, consistency, ease of evacuation, and adverse effects. When compared the laxative effectiveness between the two types of drugs, there was no significantly different on the data analysis (p > 0.050). Considering on the less dose of anthraquinones (0.96 mg calculated as rehin) in C. fistula pod pulp than in Senokot® (15 mg calculated as sennoside B), C. fistula should provide more laxative effectiveness than C. angustifolia if the doses of both drugs contained the equal amount of anthraquinone glycosides.