Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Chronic use: cathartic colon, laxative dependency
- Electrolyte depletion -- hypokalemia, cardiac risk
- Hepatotoxicity with chronic use
- Frequently misused in weight-loss products
- Contraindicated in IBD, intestinal obstruction
- FDA warnings for senna-containing supplement products
Contraindications
- Chronic use: cathartic colon, laxative dependency
- Electrolyte depletion -- hypokalemia, cardiac risk
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Senna is an anthraquinone stimulant laxative approved for short-term constipation. Chronic use causes cathartic colon syndrome, electrolyte depletion (hypokalemia), and hepatotoxicity. Popular in weight-loss supplements and detox teas — frequently misrepresented. FDA has warned about senna in dietary supplements.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Senna alexandrina (Cassia senna)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Chronic use: cathartic colon, laxative dependency
- Electrolyte depletion -- hypokalemia, cardiac risk
- Hepatotoxicity with chronic use
- Frequently misused in weight-loss products
- Contraindicated in IBD, intestinal obstruction
The available scientific evidence for Senna indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 22:41
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAdding Senna alkaloid to laxative agents in bowel preparation for pediatric colonoscopy: a clinical trial study. ↗Mahdavi Mortazavi SM et al.. Adding Senna alkaloid to laxative agents in bowel preparation for pediatric colonoscopy: a clinical trial study.. Arab J Gastroenterol. 2026. PMID:41866261.PMID 41866261 ↗Journal Arab J GastroenterolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866261/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLaxative use and acute kidney injury risk: Analysis of a Japanese hospital-based database. ↗Mitsuboshi S et al.. Laxative use and acute kidney injury risk: Analysis of a Japanese hospital-based database.. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2026. PMID:41806409.PMID 41806409 ↗Journal J Pharmacol Exp TherYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41806409/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInter-Laboratory Comparison of Photometric and LC Assay Methods for Hydroxyanthracene Glycosides Determination in Senna Herbal Drugs and Dry Extracts. ↗Peter S et al.. Inter-Laboratory Comparison of Photometric and LC Assay Methods for Hydroxyanthracene Glycosides Determination in Senna Herbal Drugs and Dry Extracts.. Planta Med. 2026. PMID:41802773.PMID 41802773 ↗Journal Planta MedYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41802773/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTowards an attract-and-kill strategy for sustainable tick control: combined effects of Metarhizium anisopliae and phytochemical attractants from Senna didymobotrya against Amblyomma variegatum… ↗Kinyua DW et al.. Towards an attract-and-kill strategy for sustainable tick control: combined effects of Metarhizium anisopliae and phytochemical attractants from Senna didymobotrya against Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus.. Exp Appl Acarol. 2026. PMID:41792543.PMID 41792543 ↗Journal Exp Appl AcarolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41792543/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe anti-obesity potential of Cassiae Semen: A review based on ethnopharmacology and modern pharmacology. ↗Ye Y. The anti-obesity potential of Cassiae Semen: A review based on ethnopharmacology and modern pharmacology.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026. PMID:41791619.PMID 41791619 ↗Journal J EthnopharmacolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41791619/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPhytosociological analysis and floristic composition of fabaceae species assessing human impact and edaphic variables. ↗Majeed M et al.. Phytosociological analysis and floristic composition of fabaceae species assessing human impact and edaphic variables.. Sci Rep. 2026. PMID:41786781.PMID 41786781 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41786781/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDataset on MatK chloroplast gene sequences of five underutilized nigerian native legume species. ↗Olaoluwa FD et al.. Dataset on MatK chloroplast gene sequences of five underutilized nigerian native legume species.. Data Brief. 2026. PMID:41783791.PMID 41783791 ↗Journal Data BriefYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41783791/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWJiawei YigongSan improves gastric motility and is associated with modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and autophagy in a rat model of functional dyspepsia. ↗Wang X et al.. Jiawei YigongSan improves gastric motility and is associated with modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and autophagy in a rat model of functional dyspepsia.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026. PMID:41713812.PMID 41713812 ↗Journal J EthnopharmacolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41713812/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWImproving Constipation in Critical Care Patients: A Single-Centre Prospective Cohort Closed-Loop Clinical Audit. ↗Xu N et al.. Improving Constipation in Critical Care Patients: A Single-Centre Prospective Cohort Closed-Loop Clinical Audit.. Cureus. 2026. PMID:41669582.PMID 41669582 ↗Journal CureusYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41669582/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPreclinical evaluation of Senna alata leaf extract against Hymenolepis diminuta: a promising natural anthelmintic solution. ↗Roy S et al.. Preclinical evaluation of Senna alata leaf extract against Hymenolepis diminuta: a promising natural anthelmintic solution.. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2026. PMID:41664129.PMID 41664129 ↗Journal BMC Complement Med TherYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41664129/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Senna. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a high safety concern. Its use in dietary supplements is associated with documented adverse events.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the High classification for Senna
A score of 7.5 places this ingredient in the High band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.