Sennoside assay

Sennosides are anthraquinone glycosides naturally present in the leaves and pods of senna ( Senna alexandrina Sennosides A and B are the most studied and standardized forms in herbal preparations.

Importance of sennoside measurement

Measuring the concentration of these compounds is essential for several reasons:

• To guarantee the effectiveness of dietary supplements or products based on senna.
• Respect the safety limits set by health authorities to avoid adverse effects related to excessive consumption.
• Standardize plant extracts to ensure a constant and reproducible concentration of sennosides.
• Control the quality of raw materials and verify the conformity of production batches.

Analytical methods

Sennoside analysis relies primarily on chromatographic techniques adapted to the complexity of plant extracts:

• HPLC-DAD (liquid chromatography with UV-DAD detection), reference method for the quantification of sennosides A and B.
• HPTLC (high-performance thin-layer chromatography), used for rapid batch control.
• LC-MS/MS, offering high sensitivity and the ability to detect and quantify sennosides in complex matrices or at low concentrations.

Analyzed matrices

Sennoside analysis is applicable to various plant matrices and formulations:

• Senna extracts in powder or liquid form.
• Herbal teas and infusions made from senna leaves or fruit.
• Capsules and tablets formulated for their natural laxative effects.
• Multi-ingredient food supplements incorporating senna as the main active ingredient.

Industrial applications

This analysis is particularly relevant in the following sectors:

• Nutraceuticals: validation of the active concentration in food supplements for digestive purposes.
• Medicinal plants: quality control and certification of raw materials.
• Agri-food: monitoring of formulations enriched with plant extracts.
• Scientific and clinical research: pharmacological studies on the efficacy and safety of anthracenosides.

Related analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

For a complete characterization of anthraquinones and other plant-based active ingredients, it is possible to combine:

• Dosage of aloin, another anthraquinone used as a natural laxative.
• Dosage of chrysophanol , an anthraquinone with laxative and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Dosage of emodin , a bioactive anthraquinone often associated with senna.

YesWeLab Expertise

At YesWeLab, we collaborate with a network of rigorously selected laboratories, most of which are ISO 17025 certified and COFRAC accredited. Our team supports manufacturers and formulators in:

• The choice of the appropriate analysis method according to the matrix.
• Centralizing analyses via an intuitive digital platform.
• The delivery of reliable results that comply with regulatory and quality requirements.