Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Contains 3–7% anthraquinone glycosides
as active principles, which include gly-
cofrangulin A and B, frangulin A and B,^1
emodin-1-glucoside, emodin-8-glucoside, em-
odin-8-O-b-gentiobioside,andothers.2–10Oth-
er constituents include chrysophanol, physcion
(WICHTL),and analkaloid, armepavine,which is
present in fresh bark but not in dried bark;^11
tannins; flavonoids;^12 and free anthraquinones,
among others (STAHL). The fresh bark also
contains anthrones and anthrone glycosides
that are believed to constitute the emetic princi-
ple;^13 they are oxidized to anthraquinones or
their glycosides on storage.

PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES

The active principles of buckthorn bark (an-
thraglycosides) are cathartic; they act on the
large intestine (colon), with the diglycosides
being more active than the monoglycosides
(see alsocascaraandsenna).13,14
Aloe emodin isolated from the seed of
buckthorn has been reported to have signifi-
cant inhibitory activity against P-388 leuke-
mia in mice; it exhibited such activity only
when administered as a suspension in
acetone–Tween 80.^15

TOXICOLOGY

Safety data are lacking; use is contraindicated
in pregnancy and lactation, Crohn’s disease,

appendicitis, ileus, colitis ulcerosa, abdominal

pain of undetermined origin, severe dehydra-

tion, and children 10 years old and younger

(WICHTL).

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.

Used in certain laxative preparations, more

commonly in Europe. Extracts have been used

in sunscreen preparations.16,17

Traditional Medicine. Used as a laxative

and tonic; also reportedly used in treating

cancers and as a component in Hoxsey cancer

“cure.”^18

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Crude and extracts: crude and fluid extract

were formerly official in N.F. and U.S.P.

Strengths (seeglossary) of extracts are ex-

pressed in weight-to-weight ratios.

Regulatory Status. Regulated in the United

States as a dietary supplement; not recognized

as safe and effective as OTC laxative

(§310.545(12)(iv)). Allowed for sale in

Germany as a botanical stimulant laxative for

the short-term treatment of constipation; only

sold with a license; restricted to pharmacies

(WICHTL).

REFERENCES

See the General References forAPhA;BAILEY2;BIANCHINI AND CORBETTA;BRUNETON;FERNALD;LUST;
MCGUFFIN1&2;MERCK;STAHL;TERRELL;WICHTL;YOUNGKEN.

1. G. Matysik and E. Wojtasik,J. Planar
   Chromatogr., 7 , 34 (1994).


2. B. Kaminski and W. Grzesiuk,Farm. Pol.,
   33 , 157 (1977).


3. A. V. Gotsiridze and E. P. Kemertelidze,
   Rast. Resur., 13 , 64 (1977).
   4. H. Auterhoff and E. Eujen,Dtsch. Apoth.
   Ztg., 112 , 1533 (1972).
   5. H. Wagner and G. Demuth,Tetrahedron
   Lett., 49 , 5013 (1972).
   6. M. Rosca and V. Cucu,Planta Med., 28 ,
   343 (1975).

Buckthorn, alder 119