Sennoside variations due to environmental changes in Sonamukhi: An Indian herb

Sonamukhi, Senna, (Cassia angustifolia) used in traditional formulations for the treatment of various disease conditions.The physicochemical properties fluctuate with the season and in response to stress.The present study aim to evaluate the physiochemical fluctuations in the leaves of Sonamukhi and sennoside, an alkaloidal constituent in these leaves.Plant leaves were collected in every month of a year at different time and places.The leaves were evaluated for proximate phytochemical analysis, extractive values in petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, water, and determination of the concentration of component sennoside.Phytochemical composition was same in all season; however the levels of extractive values fluctuated in response to seasonal variations.To get herbal medicine with good effectiveness it is important to collect it from source at appropriate conditions.Ethanolic plant concentrate gives sennoside proportion in high range at spring, at highest altitude place and at early day.