Abstract

A REVIEW ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF CASSIA FISTULA L. PLANT

Savina and Manoj Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Since the advent of modern drug treatments, the uses of traditional medicines have greatly reduced in occidental societies. Moreover, only a limited number of medicinal plants have received detailed scientific scrutiny; thereby prompting the World Health Organization to recommend that this area be comprehensively investigated. Cassia fistula L., a very common Indian tree and is known for its medicinal values. This plant is also known as Indian Laburnum and Yellow shower because of its characteristic yellow flowers pendulous raceme inflorescence and with typical branches and compound leaves. It is a native of India, Amazon and Sri Lanka. It is widely cultivated in South Africa, Mexico, East Africa and Brazil. This plant is used in folk medicine for tumors of the abdomen, glands, liver and throat cancer. It is also used to cure burns, constipation, convulsions, diarrhoea, dysuria, epilepsy, leprosy, skin diseases, syphilis, etc. Photochemical investigations prove its importance as an important valuable medicinal plant. C. fistula is an important source of secondary metabolites notably phenolic compounds. It is known as rich source of tannins, flavonoids and glycosides. Several studies revealed some notable pharmacological profile of the plant such as anticancer activity, central nervous system activities, cardio protective activity, antitussive activities, clastogenic effect, hepatoprotective activity, antifertility activities, antioxidant activities, wound healing activity, antipyretic activity, antimicrobial activities, and many other medicinal uses.

Keywords: Cassia fistula L., Traditional medicinal uses, Phytochemical profile, Pharmacological activities.