Original Articles: 2011 Vol: 3 Issue: 2
Chemical and pharmacological evaluation of aqueous extract of seeds of Cassia occidentalis
Abstract
Cassia occidentalis L. (Leguminacea), commonly known as ‘Coffee Senna’, is used in Unani
medicine for liver ailments and is an important ingredient of several polyherbal formulations
marketed for liver diseases. The aqueous extract was chemically examined and
pharmacologically screened for Hepatoprotective activity. The structure of the new compound
isolated from the extract and elucidated by using Modern spectral and chemical techniques. And
was found to be an anthraquinone glycoside. The hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of
seeds of Cassia occidentalis was studied on rat liver damage induced by paracetamol and by
monitoring SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphate, total bilirubin, and histopathological alterations.
The extract of seeds of plant produced significant hepatoprotection.