Quality control of herbal medicines containing Sennae

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of the most representative products used in weight-loss schemes, containing Sennae folium, Sennae fructus acutifoliae and/or Sennae fructus angustifoliae sold in community pharmacies and parapharmacies in the Lisbon region, containing 8 herbal medicine formulations including different pharmaceutical dosages forms. The results based on the botanical and chemical tests showed that sennosides A and B are present in all samples (100%) according to requisites described in the Portuguese Pharmacopeia, but 62.5% of the total samples do not show the proper identification (binomial name and part of the plant used), 25% of the total samples analyzed revealed the presence of phenolphthalein and diazepam as adulterants and these substances were not mentioned in the label content. In conclusion 37.5% of all the products analyzed are not in conditions to be in the market.

This study revealed a lack of quality control in some of these products, which poses a concern related with public health. These findings showed that much concerns have to be taken by the rule authorities on this kind of products in order to avoid harmful misuse.