[see -IN.] A bitter substance extracted from senna, and acting as a purgative.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 91. The active principle of Senna is called Cathartine.
1840. Henry, Elem. Chem., II. 333. In examining the leaves of Senna, Lassaigne and Fenuelle obtained a peculiar substance, to which they gave the name of cathartine.
1879. Watts, Dict. Chem., VII. 270. Cathartin.
