Small molecule
PubChem CID 73111
Sennoside A
Senokot
- Mechanism of action
- Stimulant laxative (prodrug → rhein anthrone)
- In plain language
- Passes through the body unchanged until gut bacteria in the colon convert it into an active substance that both squeezes the colon's muscles and keeps extra water in the stool, together triggering a bowel movement.
- How it works
- Sennoside A is a stimulant-laxative prodrug that survives gastric acid and small-intestinal enzymes unabsorbed and unchanged. On reaching the colon, resident gut bacteria — including Bifidobacterium species — hydrolyze and reduce it to its active metabolite, rhein anthrone. Rhein anthrone activates colonic macrophages to release prostaglandin E2, which stimulates colonic smooth-muscle motility, and separately downregulates colonic aquaporin-3 expression, reducing luminal water reabsorption. The combined effect — increased propulsive motility plus retained luminal fluid — produces a bowel movement, typically within 6 to 12 hours.
- Therapeutic applications
- Per FDA OTC drug-facts labeling for Senokot (sennosides), the product is labeled to relieve occasional constipation (irregularity), and generally produces a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours. Labeling directs against use beyond 1 week without medical supervision.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Gastrointestinal
View
Related compounds