Cascara sagrada bark extract

Cascara sagrada bark extract (CAS 84650-55-5), also referenced commercially as Rhamnus purshiana extract, is a botanical extract derived from the aged bark of the cascara buckthorn tree.

With FEMA number 2253, it is recognized as a flavoring substance and has a long-established history of use in pharmaceutical and food applications across various global markets.

In pharmaceutical formulations, the extract is used as an active botanical ingredient in laxative preparations, where its anthraquinone glycoside content drives the intended physiological effect.

Food and beverage manufacturers incorporate it as a bittering and flavoring agent in products such as bitters, liqueurs, and specialty soft drinks to achieve specific flavor profiles.

It also appears in dietary supplement formulations, including capsules, tablets, and liquid tonics, targeting digestive health positioning for consumers seeking natural botanical solutions.

Some preservation-oriented formulations leverage its antimicrobial activity as a functional botanical component in product stabilization and shelf-life extension strategies for manufacturers.

The extract is supplied as a dry powder or as a liquid extract, with standardized and non-standardized grades available depending on specific industrial application requirements.

Pharmaceutical-grade material is typically standardized to hydroxyanthracene glycoside content to meet defined potency specifications, while food-grade supply conforms to FEMA 2253 status.