Anthraquinones in Plants: Source, safety and applications in gastrointestinal health

After graduating from the University of Ghent in Belgium with degrees in Chemistry, Dr. Delmulle undertook a parallel study at CERIA in Brussels to obtain the diploma in "Cosmetics, production and analysis." He was a co founder and teacher at the "Association for the Revalorisation of Herbal Medicines". This course later evolved into the creation of the "School for Herbalists" in which he was a teacher for several years. He became an independent scientific advisor of the scientific committee of the Belgian Association of Wholesalers and Manufacturers of Food Supplements and a member of the European Botanical Forum, Brussels. He has been a guest Professor at the University of Ghent in , Pharmacy. He is an expert member of the Herbal Advice Commission of the Belgian Ministry of Health and President of the working group of the Herbal Advice Commission establishing maximum dosages of herbs or active principles allowed in food supplements. He has been a member of the Belgian delegation at the Council of Europe. Dr. Delmulle is both an expert member and chair of the EFSA ESCO working group developing the "Compendium of botanicals containing psychotropic, addictive, toxic or other substances of concern" and an expert member in the workgroup "Characterisation of botanicals" of the EFSA NDA Panel After his graduation at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium as Bachelor in Botanical Sciences, Prof. Demeyer started his career as assistant in the department of plant physiology. His research activities on the synthesis and accumulation of alkaloids in Solanaceae species resulted in several publications in international journals and in graduation with a Ph. D. Contacts with private companies then re-orientated his research towards the quality improvement and control of plant-based products used in food supplements and pharmaceuticals. He is an expert member of the Herbal Advice Commission of the Belgian Ministry of Health and is a main lecturer for the training programme "The Herbalist" and "Herb Grower" organised by the Flemish Institute for Independend Entrepreneur. Recently he was appointed as Professor in Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry at the Free University of Brussels.

Preface * Introduction * Abbreviations * BOTANICAL ASPECTS * Senna/Cassia * Rheum * Rhamnu * Aloe * CHEMISTRY OF 9,10-ANTHRAQUINONES * Biosynthesis * Oxidation-Reduction and Reactivity * Photochemistry * Phenolic Characteristic * Analysis * Antioxidant and Prooxidant Activities * PHARMACOKINETICS * Conversion by Intestinal Bacteria * Systemic Absorption, Conversion and Elimination * Food Matrix Influences * PHARMACODYNAMICS AND SAFETY ASPECTS * Introduction * Types of laxatives and mode of action * Pharmacodynamics of anthranoids * Toxicity studies * Interactions * CLINICAL ASPECTS * Recommended dose * Use of anthranoid-containing plants in constipation * Use of anthranoid-containing plants in irritable bowel syndrome * Use of anthranoid-containing plants for bowel cleansing * Use of anthranoids in paediatrics * The use of anthranoids during pregnancy and lactation * Considerations about cancerogenic risks of anthranoids * Clinical safety of anthranoid-containing plant species * Discussion * Index