R. C. Agrawal et al., J. Sci. Res. Phar.

2012, 1(3), 7-11

Journal of Scientific Research in Pharmacy Review Article

Available online throug h ISSN: 2277-9469
www.jsrponline.com

Biological activity of medicinal plant Cassia fistula – A review

Maya Kushawaha and R. C. Agrawal*

Department of Research, Priyamvada Birla Cancer Research Ins titute, JD Birla Road,Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Received on: 11-07-2012; Revised on: 11-07-2012; Accepted on: 17-07-2012

ABSTRACT

Natural Products, especially plants, have been used for the treatment of various diseases for thousands of years. Traditionally, practitioners of
Indian medicine have used plant products in various forms like powder, syrup or lotion, although there quantity and dose regulation are not known, unlike
their allopathic counterparts. Vegetative and reproductive parts of the Cassia fistula Linn is used extensively in various parts of the world against number of
disorders, The primary and secondary metabolites of its vegetative and reproductive parts being most probably responsible for the plant’s beneficial effects.
It is known as a rich source of tannins, flavanoids and glycosides. The innumerable medicinal properties and therapeutic uses of Cassia fistula as well as its
phytochemical investigations prove its importance as a valuable medicinal plant. The present review explores the enormous prospective of the demons trated
effect of cassia fistula plants on experimental animal.

Key words: Cassia fistula, Tannins, Flavanoids, Glycosides, Metabolite, Vegetative, Reproductive, Phytochemical, Allopathic.

INTRODUCTION Sanskrit - Nripadruma

Arab - Khayarsambhar
Medicinal plants play a vital role for the development of new Oriya - Sunaari
drugs. Indian medicinal plants are now recognized to have great Punjabi - Amaltaas, Kaniyaar, Girdnalee
potential for preparing clinically useful drugs that could even be used by Urdu - Amaltas
allopathic physicians. Terrestrial plants have been used as medicines in
Egypt, China, India and Greece from ancient time and an impressive Distribution:
number of modern drugs have been developed from them. The first Casia fistula Linn. family Caesalpiniaceae commonly known as
written records on the medicinal uses of plants appeared in about 2600 Amaltas, Fistula, Laburnum, Purging Fistula, Golden Shower in English
BC from the Sumerians and Akkaidians [64]. popularly called “Indian Laburnum”. It is dispersed in deciduous and
Traditional medicine is the synthesis of therapeutic mixed monsoon fore sts throughout greater parts of India, ascending to
experience of generations of practi cing physicians of indigenous systems 1300 m in outer Himalaya. In Maharashtra, it occurs as a scattered tree
of medicine. Among the remedies used, plant drugs constitute an throughout the Deccan and Konkan. It is extensively used in various
important part. Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Apocynaceae, Solanaceae, countries including Mauritius, India, South Africa, Mexico, China, West
Caesalpinaceae, Rutaceae, Piperaceae, Sapotaceae all of these fa milies Indies, East Africa and Brazil as an ornamental tree for its beautiful
have been found to use as medicinal plants by scientific investigator bunches of yellow flowers. It is deciduous and mixed -monsoon forests
(Samy and Gopalakrishnakone). In this stare, one such plant is Cassia throughout greater parts of India, ascending to 1300 m in outer
fistula, a family member of Caesalpinaceae. Cassia fistula Linn. Himalaya, is widely used in traditional medicinal system [54, 11]. This plant
(Leguminosae) is a very common plant and is widely known for its has been described to be useful against skin diseases, liver difficulty,
medicinal properties. tuberculous glands and its use in the treatment of rheumatism,
hematemesis, pruritus, leucoderma, diabetes and flowers and pods are
Taxonomic Classification: used as a purgative, cough, retained excretions, biliousness [3, 7, 37].
Kingdom - Plantae
Division - Mangoliophyta Morphology of the plant:
Class - Magnoliopsida It is a deciduous tree 6-9 m high; trunk straight; bark smooth
Sub class - Rosidae and pale grey when young, turns to rough and dark brown when get old.
Order - Fabales With greenish grey bark having compound leaves, leaf lets are each 5-12
Family - Faba cae cm longpairs; Leaves are 23-40 cm long. The pods are pendulous,
Genus - Cassia cylindrical, almost straight, smooth, shining, dark brown, indehiscent,
Species - Fistula with plentiful (40-100) horizontal seeds immersed in a dark coloured
sweetish pulp. Seeds are generally ovate, 8mm. long, slightly less in
Vernacular names: width, and 5mm thick. This semi-wild tree known for its beautiful
Hindi - Sonhali, Amultus bunches of yellow flowers, used in traditional medicine for several
Bengali - Bundaralati, Sonalu, Soondali, Sondal indications [26, 37].
English - Indian Laburnum, Purging Fistula, Cassia, Golden Shower.
Guajarati - Garmala Photochemical of Cassia fistula:
Kannad - Kakke mara A majority of the credited biological effects of Cassia fistula
Marathi - Bahava extracts have been recognized to their primary and secondary
Tamil - Shrakkonnai, Konai, Irjviruttam metabolite compositi on. Primary metabolite analysis has essentially
Telegu - Kondrakayi, Raelachettu, Aragvadhamu, Koelapenna been focused on the seed, pollen, fruit, leaf and pod. Bioactivity-guided
fractionation of n-hexane phase from MeOH extract of the seeds of Cassia
fistula L. (Leguminosae) yielded two bioactive substances known benzyl
*Corresponding author: 2-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxybenzoate and its dimer dibenzyl 2,2'-
Dr. R. C. Agrawal dihydroxy-3,6,3″,6″-tetramethoxy-biphenyl-1,1'-dicarboxylate, which
Department of Research, Priyamvada Birla Cancer Research Ins titute, JD showed a new structural arrangement [68]. The seeds are rich in
Birla Road,Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India. glycerides with linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids as major fatty
Phone No.+91 9826949427, Fax No.+91 7672 400200. acids together with traces of caprylic and myristic acids [11, 69]. It has been
*E-Mail: rcagrawal60@yahoo.com
reported that the stembark of Cassia fistula is also a potential source of

Journal of Scientific Research in Pharmacy 2012, 1(3) 7-11

 R. C. Agrawal et al., J. Sci. Res. Phar. 2012, 1(3), 7-11

lupeol, ß-sitosterol and hexacosanol [11, 70]. With the view to exploring
alternative and effective sources of protein it is renowned that a
percentage of 31% of crude proteins comprising mainly globulin and
albumin in the wild seeds [55]. A carbohydrate, Galactomannan consisting
of 8 different types of sugar moieties found in seeds in large amount. The
same study emphasized that the seeds were rich sources of cephalin and
lecithin phospholipids and contained 11.8% carbohydrates [11, 43]. A
detailed biochemical analysis of the flower’s pollen, suspected to play a
significant antiallergenic role, showed a protein composition of 12%
with appreciable amounts of free amino a cids such as Phenylalan ine,
Methionine, and Glutamic acid [52]. Evaluation of phytochemicals
alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, protein and amino acids,
saponins, and triterpenoids revealed the presence of most of the
constituent in polar extracts such as ethanol, methanol, and aqueous
extracts compared with nonpolar extracts (petroleum ether and
chloroform). However, flavonoids, proteins and amino acids, tannins,
and phenols were found to be universally occurring in all the extracts [56].

Table No. 1: Ph ytochemicals of Cassia fistula plant parts

Plant parts Phytochemicals References

Root Tannins, phlobaphenes and oxyanthraquinone, [1, 23, 77]

Rhamnetin-3-O-gentiobioside
Bark Flavonol glycosides, 5,7,3’,4’tetrahydroxy-6, 8- dimethoxy [59]

Poods flavone-3-O-arabinopyranoside [1, 36]

Leaves Anthraquinone glycosides, sennosides A & B, rhein, glucoside, barbaloin, aloin, formic acid, butyric acid and their ethyl [61, 77]

esters and oxalic acid, presence of pectin and tannin .

Flowers Anthraquinone, Hentriacontanoic, triacontanoic, nonacosanoic and heptacosanoic acids. The seed oil [34, 36]

containscyclopropenoid fatty acids, viz, vernolic, malvalic and stetculic acids.

Fruit Ceryl alcohol, kaempferol, rhein and a bianthraquinone glycoside, fistulin, rhein, glycosi des-sennosides A & B, [59, 26, 45]

anthraquinone, tannin, oxyanthraquinone, rhein and volatile oil.

Seeds Epiafzelechin, (+), catechin, kaempferol, dihydrokaempferol and 1,8 -dihydroxy-3 methylanthraquinone. Rhein [43, 51]

Glycosides Fistulic Acids, Sennosides A B, Anthraquinones, Flavanoid-3-ol-derivatives. Proteins (19.94%) and

carbohydrates (26.30%); amino acids, dimericproanthocyanidin, volatile oil, waxy and resinous ,derivatives.

Pharmacological behavior of cassia fistula:
Antitumor activity:
The study of methanolic extract (ME) of cassia fistula seeds
prevents the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Reports show
the increased life span, viable tumor cell count and decreased in the
tumor volume. Improvement in the hematological parameters following
ME treatment, like hemoglobin content, red blood cell count and bone
marrow cell count of the tumor bearing mice have also been observed.
Cytological studies revealed a reduction in the mitotic activity, and the
appearance of membrane blabbing and intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the
treated tumor cells [20, 27-29, 33, 47, 50]. Cytotoxicity of rhein, an
anthraquinone isolated from Cassia species, has also been evaluated on
Caco-2 human adenocarcinoma cells. They found that rhein was devoid
of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in colon adenocarcinoma cells. rhein
inhibited cell proliferation via a mechanism that seems to involve
directly in MAP kinase pathway. Rhein (0.1 and 1 microg/ml)
significantly reduced cell proliferation as well as mitogen -activated
protein (MAP) kinase activation it also prevents the DNA damage which
is the big cause of cancer probably via an anti- Rhein lysinate suppresses
the growth of breast cancer cells [9]. Antitumor activity were investigated
using methanolic extract of cassia fistula (MEC) leaves in the mouse skin
tumor promotion model, tumourigenesis is initiated by one sub minimal
dose of nogen and croton oil promotes. The ability of the MEC treatment
to increase the latency period is suggestive of its ability to reduce clonal
expansion and thereby, tumour promotion [69].
Antimicrobial activity:
Cassia is a large genus of around 500 species of flowering
plants in the family Leguminosae. The leaves and pods of Cassia fistula
possess antimicrobial activities [41]. The methanol extract of Cassia fistula
seeds was investigated for potential antimicrobial activity against
different medically important bacterial, yeast and fungal strains using
the disk diffusion technique and the broth dilution method. The extract
had great in vitro potential of antimicrobial activities against all the
tested microbial strains, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Staphylococcus aureus, S treptococcus pyogenes and the fungi Candida
albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus clavatus [50, 51].
Antibacterial activity:
Extraction of cassia fistula leaves was carried out using
solvents viz. petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, methanol and water.
Leaves of the plant were investigated for preliminary antibacterial
property [50]. A result of this study shows that all the extracts had good
inhibitory activity against Gram-positive test organism. Although all five
extracts showed promising antibacterial activity against test bacterial
species, but maximum activity was observed in ethanol extract. The
minimum inhibitory concentration ranged in between 94 to 1500 μg/ml.
These entire findings exhibit that the leaf extracts have broad -spectrum
activity and suggest its possible use in trea tment of infectious diseases
[50]. According to Patel and Patel,1956 the dealcoholized extract of the
pulp showed greater effect on gram -positive bacteria than the aqueous
extract, while in the case of gram negative bacteria both kind of extract
showes similar effect. Aqueous, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate,
dichloromethane and methanol extract of leaves are reported to have
significant zone of inhibition against Escherichia Coli, Klebsella
aerogenes, Protious vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aerogense bacteria in
concentration dependent manner.
Antifungal activity:
Ethyl acetate extract of Cassia fistula flower shows antifungal
activity due to the presence of Rhein (1, 8dihydroxyanthraquinone-
3carboxylic acid) isolated from Cassia fistula flower the ethyl acetate
extract of Cassia fistula flower was studied against the growth of many
fungi such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes (MIC 31.25 µg/ml),
Trichophyton simii (MIC 125 µg/ml), Trichophyton rubrum (MIC 62.5
µg/ml) and Epidermophyton floccosum (MIC 31.25 µg/ml). According to
Singh et al., and Subramanion, extracts of Cassia fistula leaves with
acetone, diethyl ether and methanol shows antifungal activity against
Candida albicans [71, 72]. The effect of seed extract on the growth profile of
the Candida albicans was examined via time-kill assays and in vivo
efficacy of the extract was tested in an animal model. The complete
inhibition of C. albicans growth was shown by C. fistula seed extract at
6.25 mg/mL concentration. The time-kill assay suggested that C. fistula
seed extract had completely inhibited the growth of C. albicans and also
exhibited prolonged anti-yeast activity [73].
Antiviral activity:
Sundararaju et. al., (2006) reported that 100% mortality was
recorded from the Cassia fistula extract at 48 hr. at 50 and 100%
concentrations [74]. At 72 hr., 100% mortality was observed in all extracts
at all three concentrations. Ethanolic extract of pod and stem bark of
Cassia fistula were found active against Ranikhet disease virus (RDV) and
Vaccinia virus, Ethanol extract of fruit reported active against Foot and
Mouth Diseaseirus (FMDV). In aqueous hot extract of pods and leaves of
Cassia fistula were examine against infectious boive rhinotracheitis (IBR)
virus. Antiviral activity of Cassia fistula was assayed by using different
concentration of non toxic doses of both the extra cts against 10TCID
dose of IBR virus MDBK cell line. cytopathic effect was observed by
microscopic examination and confirmed by using MTT dye up take assay.
Result of this study suggest that pod hot aqueous extra ct of Cassia fistula
shows dose dependent anti IBR virus activity [69].
Luxative activity:
The pods and leaves contain anthraquinone glycones and
anthraquinone glycoside which act as a laxative which has been used in
treditioal medicine for a long time. The laxative effect of anthraquinone
is caused by two independent mechanisms [2, 77]. The first is the altering
in colonic motility which leads to an accelerated large intestial transit.
Motility changes are caused indirectely by epithelial cell demand and the
second mechanism is altra tion in colonic absorption and secretion which
results fluid accumulation which cause Diarrhea [77]. Anthrons are the
active form of the laxative effect which is formed by the hydrolysis of the
anthraqunones of glycosides by β-glucoside of the intestinal flora [13, 19,
60].
Antioxident activity:

Journal of Scientific Research in Pharmacy 2012, 1(3) 7-11

 R. C. Agrawal et al., J. Sci. Res. Phar. 2012, 1(3), 7-11
The vagitative parts of cassia fistula contain phenolic
derivatives including anthraquinones, xanthones, phenolic acids,
phenolic diterpenes, flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins and
anthocyanins. These substances have also been rep orted to exhibit
antioxident activity [28, 48]. Aqueous extract of C. fistula root is reported to
for the antioxidant properties, both in vitro and in vivo. Chaminda et. al.
(2001) studied in vitro 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-2 picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) radical scavenging and deoxyribose damage protecti on
properties. The study shows showed 50% effective concentration. (EC 50)
of 59 ± 2.7 µg/ml and 30% protection against deoxyribose damage.
Siddhuraju et. al. (2002) calculated DPPH radical scavenging activities in
order, stem bark (93%), leaves (74.9%), butylated hydroxytoluene
(BHT) (37.8%), flowers (33.2%), pulp (15.7%) and noted that it was
directly proportional to total phenolic content in its extra ct. Kashiwada
et. al., (1990) reported that prominent DPPH radical scavenging ability of
the stem bark and leaves extract might be due to thepresence of high
concentration of tannins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and xanthones
(Gupta et. al.,1990). The DPPH scavenging activities indicated the ability
of C. fistula extracts to act as radicascavenger and metal quencher
thereby, prote cting freeradical mediated damage. The bioactive a ctions
attributed to polyphenols are almost definitely mediated somewhat by
their free radical scavenging, antioxidant and metal complexing actions
[10, 59], their ability to decrease localized oxygen concentration and to
decompose peroxides [6], their interaction with several enzymes [21, 28, 43]
and to synergistic effects with other antioxidants [30, 45].
Antipyratic activity:
Natural products represent a rich source of new chemical
entities for the development of drugs for neglected diseases. Bhakta et.
al., (2001) examined the significant activity of methanol extract of buds
of C. fistula for its antipyretic action on normal body temperature and
yeast-induced pyrexia (fever) in rats in both the models at doses of 200
and 400 mg/kg. At a dose level of 200 mg/kg, the extra ct caused
significant lowering of normal body temperature up to 3 hr. At 400
mg/kg dose, it caused significant lowering of body temperature up to 6
hr. after administration. In the model of yeast-provoked elevation of
body temperature, the extract showed dose dependent lowering of body
temperature up to 4 hr. at both the dosage levels. The results obtained
are comparable to those for paracetamol, a standard antipyretic agent.
The antipyretic effect was evaluated using against TAB vaccine induced
pyrexia. ELE at 250 and 500 mg kg -1b.wt. reduced TAB vaccine induced
pyrexia in rats. It reduced the vaccine induced elevated body
temperature post 30 min of its administrati on. The results suggest that
there exists a potential benefit in utilizing Cassia fistula Linn. In treating
conditions associated with fever [31].
Antiparasitic activity:
Sartorelli et. al., (2009) discovered that the fractionation
through bioguided antileishmanial activity of the dichloromethane
extract of Cassia fistula fruits (Leguminosae) led to the isolation of the
active isoflavone biochanin A, identified by spectroscopic methods. This
compound showed 50% effective concentration (EC) value of 18.96
micro g/mL against promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) chagasi. The
Cytotoxicity of this substance against peritoneal macrophages resulted in
an EC50 value of 42.58 micro g/mL. Similar study has been done by
using Hexane extract of Cassia fistula fruit that shows significant
antileishmanial activity against the promastigote form
of Leishmania L. chagasi. The bioguided fractionation resulted in the
isolation of a sterol, clerosterol. Promastigotes presented an inhibitory
concentration 50% (IC 50) of 10.03 µg/mL and intracellular amastigotes
demonstrated high susceptibility, with an IC 50 of 18.10 µg/mL.
Mammalian cytotoxicity was evaluated and it was demonstrated that
clerosterol was 3.6-fold less toxic than the standard drug pentamidine
[63].
Hepatoprotective activity:
Kumar et.al., (2011); Bhakta et.al., (2004), investigated the
Hepatoprotective activity of the n-heptane extract of Cassia fistula leaves
was investigated by inducing hepatotoxicity with paracetamol in rats.
The extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg body wt. exhibited orally, significant
protective effect by lowering the serum levels of transaminases (SGOT
and SGPT), bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The effects
produced were comparable to that of a standard hepatoprotective agent.
Same result obtained using methanolic extrect of seed of cassia
fistulla.The ethanolic extract of cassia fistulla protects the liver against
diethylnitrosamine (DEN) indused hepatic injury in rats [14-16, 22].
Antifertility activity:
Yadav and Jain, (1999), observed Oral administration of
aquas extrect of seed of cassia fistula to mated female rates from day 1-5
pregancy at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight resulted in
Journal of Scientific Research in Pharmacy 2012, 1(3)
57.14% and 71.43% prevention of preganancy, respectively, whereas
100% pregnancy inhibition was noted at 500 mg/kg body weight in the
uterine bioassay te st carried out in immiature bilaterally ovariectomized
the uterine wet (p<0.001) but did not induced premature opening of the
vagina.This suggest a mild estrogenic activity of the extract. However,
when the extract was administered conjointly with estradiol valerate
(EDV, 0.1 mg/kg bw), it significance (p<0.001) prevented the estrogen
induced uterotrophic effect, thus showing an antiestrogenic nature of the
extract in the presence of a strong estrogen.
Anti-Inflammatory:
Raju Ilavarasan et. al., (2005) revealed the anti-inflammatory
activities of the aqueous (CFA) and methanolic extracts (CFM) of the
Cassia fistula bark were assayed in Wistar albino rats. Cassia fistula bark
extracts showed significant radical scavenging by inhibiting lipid
peroxidation initiated by CCl4 and FeSO4 in rat liver and kidney
homogenates. Both extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity in
DPPH, Nitric oxide and Hydroxyradical induced in-vitro assay methods.
Both extracts showed Dose-Dependent protective effect against lipid
peroxidation and free radical generation in liver and kidney
homogenates which shows that Cassia fistula bark extracts (CFA & CFM)
posse significant anti-inflammatory properties. Gobianand et. al., (2010)
also suggested the antiinflamatory activity of C. fistulla plant various
doses of ethanolic extract (ELE) (50, 100, 250, 500 and 750 mg kg -1b wt)
were tested for anti-inflammatory against hind paw oedema and cotton-
pellet granuloma. Effect and the results were compared with standard
drugs (diclofenac and indomethacin). And observations specify that the
ELE significantly inhibited both the carrageenan-induced hind paw
oedema and cotton-pellet granuloma in a dose dependant manner.
Wound healing activity:
Infection is the major problem to treat the wound. Senthil et.
al., 2006; and Bhakta et. al., (1998) reported the wound healing activity
of cassia fistula leaf extract. The methanolic extract of Cassia fistula
leaves was examined for its wound healing property in the form of an
ointment in two types of wound models in rats; excision wound model
and incision wound model. The ointment of the leaf extract of two
different concentrations (5 and 10% w/w ointment of leaves extract in
simple ointment base) re sponded significantly in both models of wounds
tested. The results were also comparable to that of the standard drug,
nitrofurazone, in terms of wound contraction ability, epithelization
period, tensile strength and regeneration of tissue at wound area. Kumar
S, 2009, studied the same effect alcoholic extract of Cassia fistula leaves
was analyzed for antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC
29213 and Pseudomonas. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 on albino rat. Cassia
fistula treated rats showed, better wound closure, improved tissue
regeneration at the wound site, and supporting histopathological
parameters pertaining to wound healing.
Antidiabitic activity:
Diabetes mellitus is the most common and serious metabolic
disorder among people all over the world. Methanol extract of cassia
fistula stem bark reduced the blood glucose levels in Streptozotocin -
induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of Catechin (20mg/kg b.w.), a
natural phenol antioxidant plant secondary metabolite markedly
increases tissue glycogen, and (14) C-glucose oxidation without any
change in plasma insulin and C-peptide. Catechin restored the altered
Glucokinase, glucose-6 Phosphatase, Glycogen Synthase and Glycogen
Phosphorylase [25]. Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effect of the
hexen extract of cassia fistula stem bark in normal and Streptozotocin
induced diabetic rats have also been examine after the extract treatment
at 0.45 g kg -1 body weight showed remarkable improvement as
compared to control animal [54]. Preparation of aqueous extract and
synthesis of gold nanoparticles were also examine to evaluate the same
effects of the cassia fistula. A significantly larger decrease in serum
biochemistry parameters and an increase in body weight, total protein
levels, and high-density lipoprotein were observed in rats with
streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Above study suggest that Catechin
possesses hypo-glycemic, Glucose oxidizing and insulin mimetic
activities and hence it could be used as a drug for treating diabetes [24].
CONCLUSION
A numbers of modern drugs has been isolated from the plants
as plant are the natural pool of therapeutic drug free from the side
effects caused by any other non-herbal product. In ancient time almost
all dieses treatment managed by plant products. Cassia fistula is an
important and potential medicinal plant. The offered literature is about
the substantial evidences on the anti-bacterial activities of its pod and
seed extracts. It has been reported cassia fistula possess antioxidant,
antimutagenic, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antitussive, antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory and so many activities. Its antioxidant activity plays a
7-11
 R. C. Agrawal et al., J. Sci. Res. Phar. 2012, 1(3), 7-11
role in wellness, health maintenance, and the prevention of chronic and
degenerative diseases. It is recognized as a rich source of vitamins,
flavanoids, tannins glycerides, phospholipids, carbohydrates. The
evaluation of toxic properties of Cassia fistula is also crucial when
considering public health protection because exposure to plant extracts
can result in undesirable effects on consumers. Acute oral toxicity of C.
fistula seeds extract shows that oral administration of crude extract even
at the highest dose of (5000 mg/kg) resulted in no mortalities or
evidence of adverse effects, implying that C. fistula in nontoxic. Hence,
the extract can be utilized for pharmaceutical formulations. The present
review summarizes important photochemical of this plant and their
action which can be helpful for further investigation to achieve lead
molecules in the search of novel herbal drugs.
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