Senega

SENEGA, the root of the North American herbaceous plant Polygala senega L., family Polygalaceae. The stem of senega is annual, whereas the root is perennial, woody, and head-like thickened at the root neck due to the presence of numerous remnants of stem shoots; in a dried state, it appears wrinkled, somewhat tortuous, and partly spirally twisted along its axis with a ridge-like protruding edge descending along the concave side of the root. The powder prepared from senega root is light gray in color, has an unpleasant odor, and a sweetish followed by a sharply biting taste. The constituents of senega root are: 1) two glucosides—neutral senegin, C₁₈H₂₈O₉ (according to other data, C₁₇H₂₆O₉), and acidic polygalic acid, C₂₂H₃₆O₁₀ (according to Schulz, or according to other data, C₁₉H₃₀O₁₀); both belong to saponins in both their physicochemical properties and their action; 2) fatty oil (8-9%), consisting to a significant extent of free fatty acids; 3) methyl salicylate and methyl valerianate; 4) traces of free salicylic acid; 5) 1-2% grape sugar; 6) resin; 7) a small amount of essential oil, in the composition of which methyl salicylate (Methylium salicylicum) predominates—0.25-0.3% of the weight of the dried root. Starch is absent. The therapeutic effect of senega preparations is due chiefly to both saponins; the significance of the other constituents of the root is usually not taken into account. Senega is administered internally as an expectorant in the form of a hot infusion or, more frequently, as a decoction of 3.0-12.0 to 180.0 of water, a tablespoon 3-4-6 times a day for bronchial catarrh and pneumonia during the resolution stage, for chronic bronchitis, and emphysema; Fluid Extract of Senega at 5-10-15 drops per dose with sugared water every 2-3-4 hours, also in mixtures; Syrup of Senega (Russian Pharmacopoeia VII) is given at a tablespoon per dose. The mechanism of action of senega preparations is explained by the fact that saponins promote the secretion of mucus in the bronchial pathways and facilitate expectoration. According to Schmiedeberg, this action occurs due to the reflex effect of saponins on the gastric mucous membrane, and since saponins are very poorly absorbed by the healthy mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, the expectorant action occurs independently of the general action of the saponins on the organism. Senega is contraindicated in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, in pulmonary hemorrhages, and in febrile diseases accompanied by high temperature. To replace imported senega, various species of milkwort—Polygala comosa, vulgaris, and others—have been proposed.