TOXICITY OF SENNA-OBTUSIFOLIA FRESH AND FERMENTED LEAVES (KAWAL), SENNA-ALATA LEAVES AND SOME PRODUCTS FROM SENNA-ALATA ON RATS

The present study investigated the effects induced on albino rats by S enna obtusifolia fresh leaves and fermented (kawal) leaves, S. alata l eaves, as well as the ethanol extract and pure compounds, namely, emod in, kaempferol, aloe-emodin, and rhein from the latter species. The pr esent results indicate that the leaves of both S. obtusifolia and S. a lata can cause marked toxic effects on rats, and that the processing o f the leaves of the former species by fermentation to produce kawal di d not alter the toxic activity of the ingredients in the leaves, Also the ethanol extract and compounds isolated from S. alata can cause sub tle hepatorenal toxicity. Moreover, the present study suggests that an thraquinones have a mechanism of synergistic action when used collecti vely as present in the leaves. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.