Anthraquinone Laxatives: How Do They Work?

Anthraquinone laxatives are a group of substances generally described as herbal laxatives because of their natural origin. They are widely used to relieve constipation and are considered harmless due to their natural origin. Anthraquinones are organic compounds found in plants and fungi that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-tumor properties. They are thought to increase the amount of fluid in the colon and may also serve to stimulate colon contractions. However, the chronic use of anthraquinone laxatives has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Anthraquinone laxatives are used to treat treat constipation

Anthraquinone laxatives are used to treat constipation. Anthraquinones are organic compounds that occur naturally in plants and fungi. They have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-tumour properties.

Anthraquinones are the main active constituents in herbs used to relieve constipation. They have an irritant or stimulating laxative effect on the large intestine. Anthraquinones act directly on the intestinal mucosa, influencing several pharmacological targets. Their laxative effect is largely due to increased peristalsis of the colon, reducing transit time and, consequently, the reabsorption of water from the colon, making the stool more liquid and easing bowel movements. Anthraquinones are also thought to increase the amount of fluid in the colon and may also stimulate colon contractions. Typically, one would experience the laxative effect of anthraquinones approximately seven hours after ingesting.

Anthraquinone-rich herbs are most indicated for flaccid or atonic constipation, which is characterised by a loss of bowel tone and, thus, an infrequency of bowel movements. This type of constipation is usually caused by a lack of exercise, prolonged bed rest, or habitual laxative use, and is more common in elderly populations.

It is important to note that anthraquinones can be irritating to both the upper and lower parts of the gastrointestinal tract. They should be used with caution in cases of irritable bowel, bowel obstructions, spastic colon, acute intestinal inflammation, abdominal pain of unknown origin, and in children under 12 years old. Recurrent use or abuse can lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and muscle and kidney damage. Long-term use of anthraquinone laxatives has also been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

They are organic compounds found in plants and fungi

Anthraquinones are organic compounds found in plants and fungi. They are used for dyes, pigments, and laxatives. Anthraquinones have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-tumor properties.

Anthraquinones are chemically found in the form of simple anthrones or bianthrones. They are widely used industrially and occur naturally. Anthraquinones are also used in the production of hydrogen peroxide.

Anthraquinone is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Anthraquinone, also known as anthracenedione or dioxoanthracene, is an aromatic organic compound with the formula C14H8O2. Anthraquinone is a yellow, highly crystalline solid that is poorly soluble in water but soluble in hot organic solvents. It is found in nature as the rare mineral hoelite.

Anthraquinone was first described in 1868 by German chemists Carl Graebe and Carl Theodore Liebermann, who detailed the chemical synthesis of the red dye alizarin from anthracene, a component of coal tar. This discovery led to the industrial production of alizarin and further research into anthraquinone chemistry.

Anthraquinone is the parent molecule of a class of naturally occurring phenolic compounds called anthraquinones or anthraquinonoids. These compounds are widely distributed in plants, especially in the Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Polygonaceae, and Rhamnaceae families. Anthraquinones are commonly found as glycosides in living plants and are distinguished by the degree of oxidation of their nucleus and the number of units that make up their molecular core.

The anthraquinone skeleton, specifically the 9,10-anthraquinone isomer, is a key structure in many dyes, such as alizarin, and other derivatives with important applications. These derivatives include drugs like the anthracenediones and the anthracycline family of chemotherapy medications. While anthraquinone derivatives have medicinal uses, they can also be toxic and potentially carcinogenic to humans.

Anthraquinone laxatives have been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer

Anthraquinones are organic compounds found in plants and fungi that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-tumor properties. They are widely used in dyes, pigments, and laxatives. Anthraquinone laxatives are used to treat constipation and chronic conditions. They are thought to increase the amount of fluid in the colon and may also stimulate colon contractions.

However, anthraquinone laxatives have been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Long-term use of these laxatives has been linked to a higher risk of adverse events, including colorectal cancer. While the exact mechanism is still being studied, it is believed that anthraquinone laxatives may contribute to tumorigenesis. Clinical studies have suggested that these laxatives have tumor-promoting activities.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reviewed the scientific evidence on the potential link between anthraquinone laxative intake and adverse health effects, including colorectal cancer. They concluded that anthraquinones should be considered genotoxic and carcinogenic unless there is specific data to the contrary. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommend that products containing anthraquinone glycosides should not be used for longer than 1-2 weeks due to the risk of serious adverse events.

It is important to note that the research on the association between anthraquinone laxatives and colorectal cancer is ongoing, and there is no definitive evidence of a causal relationship. However, due to the potential risks, it is generally recommended to use anthraquinone laxatives only for short-term relief of constipation and under medical supervision.

They are widely used industrially and occur naturally

Anthraquinones are widely used in industry and occur naturally. They are a class of naturally occurring phenolic compounds based on the 9,10-anthraquinone skeleton. Anthraquinones are organic compounds found in plants and fungi that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-tumour properties. They are commonly found as glycosides in living plants and are widely distributed in plants, especially in the Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Polygonaceae, and Rhamnaceae families.

The name "anthraquinone" was first used by German chemists Carl Graebe and Carl Theodore Liebermann in 1868, when they described the synthesis of the red dye alizarin from anthracene, a component of coal tar. This discovery led to the industrial production of alizarin and further research on anthraquinone chemistry. Anthraquinones are used to make dyes, pigments, and laxatives.

One of the most common medicinal uses of anthraquinones is treating constipation through their laxative effects. Anthraquinones are thought to increase the amount of fluid in the colon and may also stimulate colon contractions. They act directly on the intestinal mucosa, influencing several pharmacological targets. Their laxative effect is largely due to increased peristalsis of the colon, reducing transit time and consequently the reabsorption of water from the colon, making the stool more liquid and easing bowel movements.

Anthraquinones are also used industrially in the production of hydrogen peroxide. 2-Ethyl-9,10-anthraquinone or a related alkyl derivative is used, rather than anthraquinone itself. Millions of tons of hydrogen peroxide are manufactured by the anthraquinone process. Anthraquinones are also used as a seed dressing or in seed treatments, pesticides, and bird repellents. They are also used as an additive in chemical alkaline pulp processes in the paper and pulp industry.

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