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1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Global College of Pharmaceutical Technology, Nadia, West Bengal, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Global College of Pharmaceutical Technology, Nadia, West Bengal, India
Constipation is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal motility disorder that significantly impacts quality of life. While over-the-counter synthetic laxatives are standard treatments, there is widespread and historical reliance on herbal and botanical remedies. These plant-based interventions offer diverse pharmacological mechanisms to promote bowel regularity.Herbal medicine has been widely utilized as a natural and effective approach for managing constipation, particularly in traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani medicine. Various medicinal plants, including Senna, Psyllium, and Triphala, Fennel are known for their laxative properties. These herbs act through different mechanisms such as stimulating intestinal motility, increasing stool bulk, and enhancing water retention in the intestines. Compared to synthetic laxatives, herbal remedies are generally considered safer with fewer side effects when used appropriately. However, improper use or prolonged consumption may lead to dependency or electrolyte imbalance. This review highlights the pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action, and clinical relevance of herbal treatments for constipation, emphasizing the need for scientific validation and standardized dosages to ensure safety and efficacy.
Infrequent bowel movements or dry stools or passing the stool through gastrointestinal tract with pain and stiffness is a disorder commonly known as constipation1. In constipation stool is often dry and hard in nature 2. Constipation occurs due to many reasons like diatary habits, dehydration, lifestyle, changes in daily routine including different medication like Opioids, antacids, iron pills, and certain blood pressure medications calcium channel blockers, and anticholinergics followed by different medical conditions including diabetes, parkinson’s diseases, hypothyroidism vitamin deficiency, colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases 3 -9. When symptoms like Abdominal pain or bloating, Hard, dry, or lumpy stools, Incomplete Evacuation, blockage sensation in the rectum, weight loss, anaemia, blood is present in the stool or need manual maneuvers types of problems are present for at least six months is called Chronic constipation and it can be divided into two types likely as primary types and secondary types 10-12. In the primary types constipation physical condition of bowel is shows healthy but it is not functioning correctly. Primary constipation is categorized into three main types 13-20
In the secondary types constipation occur due to medical condition or different external factor such as:
Constipation effects different age groups of people worldwide. Considering the side effect of synthetic medicine upon human health traditional medicine prepare from different medicinal plants are helpful to relieve from constipation. Medicinal plants like senna, amla, haritaki bahera, isabgul bael, ginger, fennels are rich of various kinds of pharmaceutical ingredients like Alkaloids, Glycosides, Tannins, Fibers, Resins, Flavonoids and all of these plants are used for long time to relieving from constipation 21 - 28.
MATERIAL AND METHOD:
Seena leaf, ginger were collected from the local place and the other components like Triphala, fennel, Psyllium Husk were collected from the local market.
Table 1: - Herbal and Chemical Component Details
|
Sr. no. |
Ingredients |
Ingredients |
Functions |
Image |
|
1. |
Seena (Senna alexandrina) |
Sennosides (A, B, C, D), Flavonoids and Phenolics |
Used to treat constipation and clear the bowel. They contain compounds called sennosides that stimulate intestinal muscles to increase bowel movements.21 |
|
|
2. |
Triphala Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica or bellerica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) |
gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebulinic acid, and chebulagic acid |
Used to improve digestive health, relieve constipation, and detoxify the body. It acts as a gentle laxative, balances gut health, reduces inflammation, and offers antioxidant benefits to support immunity. 22-24 |
|
|
3. |
Psyllium Husk (Plantago ovata) Family: Plantaginaceae
Plant part: outer seed coat (husk) of the seeds of the plant |
It consists of roughly 70-80% soluble fiber, which acts as a mucilage that absorbs water to form a gel in the digestive tract |
It works by absorbing water in the gut, forming a gel that eases stool passage, while also helping manage cholesterol levels, regulating blood sugar, and promoting satiety for weight management.25 |
|
|
4. |
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Family: Zingiberaceae Part Used: Rhizomes
|
Contains volatile oils, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and phenolic compounds (gingerol). |
Anti-inflammatory, Gastrointestinal Health, Antiemetic, Respiratory Support, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant [26]. |
|
|
5. |
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Family: Apiaceae
Plant part: Seed
|
Volatile oil- Trans anethole (C10H12O),
Monoterpenoid-fenchone(C10H16O) |
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant. [27] |
|
|
6. |
Bael Fruit (Aegle marmelos)
Family: Rutaceae |
Flavonoids- Rutin (C27H30O16), Coumarin - marmelosin (C16H14O4) |
Diarrhoea, Constipation, Anti-inflammatory, acidity, heart burn, balancing stomachic acid, Anti- Diabetic. [28]
|
|
2. Extraction of Different Herbal Drugs or Components:
Table 2: - Screening of Plant Part Extact
|
Sr.No. |
Ingredients |
Reactions |
Observation |
Image |
|
1. |
Seena |
Take powdered senna leaf and boil with dilute acid (HCl). Cool and filter. Add an organic solvent (like benzene or chloroform) and shake. Separate the organic layer. Add ammonia solution. |
Pink to red color in ammoniacal layer → Presence of anthraquinone glycosides (positive test) A= plant extract B= reagent C= observed result
|
|
|
2. |
Triphala |
Add a few drops of Ferric chloride to aqueous extract.
|
Blue-black or greenish coloration → confirms tannins. A= mixup of three fruits B= reagent C= observed result |
|
|
3. |
Psyllium Husk |
Add iodine solution.
|
No blue coloration (or very faint). Indicates absence of significant starch (helps distinguish from other plant materials). A= seed B= reagent C= observed result |
|
|
4. |
Fennel |
Prepare on aqueous extract of fennel by dissolving fennel seed. add a minimal volume of ferric chloride mixture to the extract |
Greenish colour appears, indicating the presence of phenolic compound. A= seed extract B = reagent C= Observed result |
|
|
5. |
Ginger |
Prepare an aqueous extract of ginger. Add minimal volume of the ferric chloride mixture to the extract. |
Violet colour appears, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds like ginger. A= Plant extract B= reagent C= Observed result |
|
|
6. |
Bael Fruit |
Prepare an aqueous extract of bael fruit pule by dissolving powder. Introduce a few dropof ferric chloride solution. |
Greenish or Bluish colour appears, indicating the presence of tannins and phenolic compound. A= powder extract B= reagent C= Observed result |
|
Evolution:
Organoleptic Properties:
Colour, odour, and taste were observed. The powder showed uniform Pale-Yellow colour with a characteristic herbal smell and slightly bitter taste.
Table 3: - Formulation Table
|
Sl. No. |
Name of ingredients |
Each 10gm. Contains |
|
1. |
Ginger extract |
5% |
|
2. |
Fennel extract |
20% |
|
3. |
Seena extract |
10% |
|
4. |
Psyllium husk |
15% |
|
5. |
Amla powder |
10% |
|
6. |
Haritaki powder |
10% |
|
7. |
Bohera powder |
10% |
|
8. |
Beal fruit powder |
20% |
Partial Size & Uniformity:
Powder passed through sieve ensuring uniform particle size for better mixing and absorption.
Phytochemical Screening:
Presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds detected.
pH Determination:
Slightly basic to neutral pH, suitable for stomach compatibility.
General Powder Properties:
The particle size was measured using the microscope approach. and the tapping method was used to compute the dried powder's bulk density, tapped density and angle of repose in order to evaluate the flow property.
Angle Of Repose:
It is defined as the maximum angle possible in between the surface of pile of powder to the horizontal flow. It required amount of dried powder is placed in a cylindrical tube open at both ends is placed on a horizontal surface. Then the funnel should be raised to form a heap. The height and radius of the heap is noted and recorded. For the above method, the angle of repose (θ) Can be calculated by using the formula.
θ = tan-1(h / r)
Where, θ – Angle of repose, h – Height of the heap, r – Radius of the base.
Bulk Density:
Bulk density is the ratio of the mass of the mass of a powder to the total volume it occupies prior to compaction, including the interparticulate void spaces.
Tapped Density:
Tapped density represents the bulk density of a powder measured after controlled mechanical tapping, reflecting the extent of particle packing and consolidation under external vibrational force.
Tapped density = mass of sample/tapped of sample
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Appearance, colour, odour, taste, moisture content, pH, Angle of repose, Bulk density, Tap density was observed as shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Organoleptic properties of herbal formulation
|
Sl No. |
Parameter |
Observation |
|
1. |
Appearance |
Fine powder |
|
2. |
Colour |
Pale Yellow |
|
3. |
Odour |
Characteristic |
|
4. |
Taste |
Sweet |
|
6. |
pH |
7.5 |
|
7. |
Angle of repose |
37 Degree |
|
8. |
Bulk density |
0.55 g/ml |
|
9. |
Tapped density |
0.6 g/ml |
CONCLUSION:
The present study successfully formulated and evaluated a herbal powder using selected medicinal plant extracts with benefits in constipation and slow bowel movement. The formulation exhibited satisfactory organoleptic and physicochemical properties, appropriate Stomach-compatible pH. Through the above test it is proved that the product can definitely provide a better and healthy effect on human. It is absolutely safe and alcohol free. The natural herbs works properly and it is shown that the natural ingredients used in this formulation and specific therapeutic and pharmacological effect on the human.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: -
We would like to thank our college Global College of Pharmaceutical Technology for giving us the opportunities to perform this research work.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: - None.
REFERENCES
Arnab Chakraborty, Somenath Bhattacharya, Soumallya Chakraborty*, Formulation and Evaluation of Poly Herbal Laxative in the Treatment of Chronic Constipation, Int. J. Med. Pharm. Sci., 2026, 2 (5), 329-335. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20073792
10.5281/zenodo.20073792