Abstract

DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY STANDARDS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF CASSIA TORA LINN LEAVES

Anwar Husain Khan, Mohd Mujeeb*, Fakiha Firdous, Lubna Abidin, Asif Husain, Mohammad Akram

ABSTRACT

Cassia tora Linn. (Leguminosae) is well known plant widely distributed in India and other tropical countries. It is an annual shrub and grows in wild wasteland. Different parts of the herbal drug are used for their medicinal values. It is well known traditional medicine as laxative and is recommended for treatment of leprosy, psoriasis, ophthalmic, skin diseases and liver disorders. Several phytoconstituents such as anthraquinone glycosides, naphthopyrone glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids etc. have been reported in this plant. The present study was designed to establish quality standards of C.tora. Different physiochemical parameters like extractive values, ash values, were determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed to detect different phytoconstituents. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts in different solvent revealed the presence of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids and proteins. Pesticides residues and aflatoxins were determined but not found in the tested samples. Heavy metals were also determined and found within acceptable limits Total phenolics and flavonoids content were quantified. Establishment of quality standards will assist in quality, purity and sample identification of C.tora leaves. The data generated will be useful in development of Pharmacopoeial monographs.

Keywords: Cassia tora, Phytochemical screening, Heavy metal , Pesticides, Aflatoxins.