Nutraceutical ingredient supplier Logical Square has launched CaFi, a Cassia fistula ingredient for the gut health market.

Traditional senna products are made with Cassia angustafolia, but by comparison, CaFi has a low sennoside content, making it safer for long-term use.

A comparison study featuring CaFi and senna, which enrolled 60 healthy participants experiencing irregular bowel habits, found it to be as effective as the traditional senna product in a three-week intervention study for laxative effects, the company reported.

Participants in both groups experienced significant improvements in frequency of bowel movements and softening of stool. Compared to senna, CaFi significantly reduced straining during defecation. CaFi also appeared to have a faster effect than senna, while associated symptoms like headache, bloating, and gaseous distension were also relieved, Logical Square noted.

Further, participants who took CaFi didn’t experience side effects like gripping, abdominal pain, or exhaustion after defecation, all of which reportedly were observed in the senna group. For these reasons, senna isn’t considered suitable for children and geriatric populations.

CaFi also has a palatable consistency and sweet taste, which can enhance user compliance, especially in formulations for children and geriatric populations. The extract is also suitable for powders, syrups, tablets, capsules, gummies, and bars.

“We believe that we have a truly relevant, unique product for the gut health market, one that will impact the lives of millions who suffer from digestive issues,” said Sanjay Tamoli, PhD, technical partner at Logical Square. “Senna is a well-established gut health ingredient but current offerings come with side effects that turn people off from its use. Our product builds on senna’s history of use but is a better, healthier version that will be a game changer for people who want a product that works but not at the expense of their quality of life.”