Immunological changes in the intestines and skin after senna administration

Abstract

Context: It has been reported that chronic sennoside use is associated with the development of melanosis coli, colonic adenoma, and/or carcinomas. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the immunological changes in the colon and skin after the administration of senna. Materials and methods: In this study, we investigated the colon and epidermis of C57/BL6j mice after a single administration of 10 mg/kg of senna [Cassia angustifolia (Caesalpiniaceae); 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after administration] and after repeated once per week administrations (on days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 of administration). The LD 50 and ED 50 of senna used in this experiment were 165 mg/kg and 13 g/kg, respectively. Results: We demonstrated that the DOPA-positive cells in the colon increased at 12 h after single administration and were further increased from at 5-28 d after repeated administration. We also studied the physiological changes of the small intestine using the charcoal meal test. We found that there was a tendency for peristalsis to be inhibited after repeated senna administration. In the epidermis, we investigated the number of Langerhans cells, because they are important immune cells of the skin. The number of these cells decreased, especially after repeated administration. Discussion and conclusion: The present findings suggested that it is necessary to pay attention to not only the intestine but also the skin, during long-term senna treatment.

Melanosis coli: A factor not associated with histological progression of colorectal polyps

“…Also, a prospective study suggested that the use of non‐fiber laxative increased the risk of CRC 23 . Animal studies also revealed that repeated administration of anthraquinone laxatives impaired intestinal peristalsis and promoted adenomatous hyperplasia of the colon 24,25 . In this study, we found that MC was not significantly associated with the histological progression of polyps.…”

“…23 Animal studies also revealed that repeated administration of anthraquinone laxatives impaired intestinal peristalsis and promoted adenomatous hyperplasia of the colon. 24,25 In this study, we found that MC was not significantly associated with the histological progression of polyps. The association of constipation, anthraquinone laxatives, and CRC should be noted.…”

Influence of Repeated Senna Laxative Use on Skin Barrier Function in Mice

“…Seven-week-old hairless Hos:HR-1 mice were obtained from Japan SLC, Inc. (Shizuoka, Japan) and housed in stainless steel wire mesh-bottomed cages with a constant temperature of 23℃±1℃, relative humidity of 50%±10%, and 12-hour light and dark cycles, as described previously3. Mice were provided laboratory chow and water ad libitum .…”

“…Our previous study revealed that mast cells and 3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine-positive cells in the colon were increased after repeated administration of senna. Further, in skin, the number of Langerhans cells decreased by repeated senna administration3. The skin barrier function plays an important role in protecting against the penetration of microbial pathogens and allergens, and against excessive transepidermal water loss (TEWL)4.…”

Development, Disappearance, and Clinical Course of Melanosis Coli: Sex Differences in Progression of Severity

“…Research indicated that higher laxative doses result in a more severe grade of MC, de ned by the number of apoptotic bodies in colonic mucosa [6]. Based on the nding that repeated anthranoid administration induced impaired intestinal peristalsis as the number of senna administrations increased [10], a tendency toward an increased severity of MC was noted in an animal model. Thus, clinically relevant involvement of the severity of MC in humans has also been implied.…”