The genusCassiaL.: Ethnopharmacological and phytochemical overview

Abstract

after first online publication: The funding information and acknowledgement sections have been updated in this version.] Nature gifts medicinal plants with the untapped and boundless treasure of active chemical constituents with significant therapeutic potential that makes these plants a beneficial source in the development of phytomedicines. Genus Cassia, with approximately 500 species, is a large group of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Cassia species are widely distributed throughout different regions mainly tropical Asia, North America, and East Africa. In the folk medicinal history, these plants are used as laxative and purgative agents. In the Ayurveda system of medicine, they are used to cure headache and fever. Cassia plants exhibit pharmacological activities at large scales such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hyperglycemic, antimutagenic, and antivirals. The phytochemical investigations of genus Cassia demonstrate the presence of more than 200 chemical compounds, including piperidine alkaloids, anthracene derivatives (anthraquinones), flavonoids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, sterols, phenylpropanoids, and γ-naphthopyrones. The literature illustrated anthraquinones and flavonoids as major secondary metabolites from this genus. However, some Cassia plants, with rich contents of anthraquinones, still show toxicology properties. As Cassia plants are used extensively in the herbal Abbreviations: AAE, ascorbic acid equivalent; AGEs, advanced glycation end products; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CAT, catalase enzyme; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; CFU, colony forming units; COLO320DM, human colon carcinoma cell line; CRFK, crandell feline kidney cell; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; EC 50 , half maximal effective concentration; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; HCT-116, human colorectal carcinoma cell line; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HeLa, immortal cell line used in scientific research; HEL, human erythroleukemia cell line; Hep-2, human epithelial type 2 cells; HIV,

Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Leaves from Two Cassia and Two Senna Species

“…showed higher amounts of total flavonoid content that their respective total polyphenolic content. Variation in polyphenolic and flavonoid contents of the studied species from values reported by Tzekiat and Chiang [ 18 ] for C. fistula , Fuentes et al [ 19 ] for C. grandis , Laghari et al [ 20 ] for S. alexandrina , and by Gololo et al [ 21 ] for S. italica could be attributed to different factors among them; genetics factors, age and organ of plant, geographical areas and climatic conditions for the growth of the plant, as well as extraction solvent and methods [ 7 ]. Nevertheless, the results of the present study were in agreement with these previous studies in that Cassia and Senna spp.…”

“…However, S. italica was characterized by a remarkable highest concentration of rutin. Previous phytochemical studies were mainly performed on C. fistula and the two Senna species and have mainly reported the isolation of anthraquinones, anthranoides, anthrones, and flavonoids [ 7 ]. Few studies report the chemical constituents of C. grandis including the isolation of aloe-emodin from the leaf [ 22 ], 1,3,4-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxy-2-methyl anthraquinone-3-O-β-D- Glucopyranoside from the pod [ 23 ], and emodin-9-anthrone from the stem [ 24 ].…”

“…Taxonomically, and due to many morphological complexes, the genus Cassia was segregated into three allied genera, namely Cassia L. Sensu stricto, Chamaecrista Moench, and Senna miller. The two genera Senna and Cassia have economic importance for ornamental, nutritive, and medicinal purposes, and also wood production and degraded area restoration [ 7 ]. Many species have been used extensively for their laxative effects caused by sennosides present in these two genera [ 8 ].…”

“…Previous studies on the chemical composition of both genera have identified flavonoids, anthraquinones, stilbenoids, pentacyclic triterpenes, pyrones, and alkaloids [ 9 , 10 ]. Pharmacologically, they possess hepatoprotective, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, leukotriene inhibition, antioxidant, wound healing, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities among others [ 7 , 11 ].…”

Indole Alkaloids and Chromones from the Stem Bark of Cassia alata and Their Antiviral Activities

“…alata , etc.) are used in the folk medicine of the Chinese Dai tribe, notably for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases, diabetes, malaria, skin trauma and constipation [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Among them, C. alata locally known as “Ya-La-Meng-Long”, is commonly used as an effective treatment for hypertension, some gastrointestinal diseases, and skin diseases in clinics and drug stores of the subtropical region of Yunnan Province, China [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”