ASSESSMENT OF THE GENOTOXIC RISK FROM LAXATIVE SENNA PRODUCTS

Laxative senna products and several of their specific components have been submitted to a large number of genetic tests. While most studies gave negative responses, results from some of the studies suggest that components of senna products, particularly emodin and aloe-emodin, ha ve genotoxic activity. Assessment of the genotoxicity profile of these substances, in light of other data from animal and human metabolism o r kinetic studies, human clinical trials and rodent carcinogenicity st udies do not support concerns that senna laxatives pose a genotoxic ri sk to humans when consumed under prescribed use conditions. (C) 1997 W iley-Liss, Inc.