Abstract
Background Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (commonly known as senna makkai or cassia senna), native to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and also extensively cultivated in Pakistan, is a medicinal herb used traditionally to cure number of diseases like liver diseases, constipation, typhoid, cholera etc. This study was conducted to evaluate the in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer assays and phytochemical constituents of aqueous and organic extracts of C. angustifolia leaves.MethodsThe antimicrobial activities of C. angustifolia aqueous and organic (methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate) extracts were investigated by the disk diffusion method. These extracts were further evaluated for antioxidant potential by the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Anticancer activities of the extracts were determined by the MTT colorimetric assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of C. angustifolia extracts were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, respectively. The structures of the bioactive compounds were elucidated by NMR and ESI-MS spectrometry.ResultsBioactivity-guided screening of C. angustifolia extracts, led to the isolation and identification of three flavonoids quercimeritrin (1), scutellarein (2), and rutin (3) reported for the first time from this plant, showed significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 (IC50, 4.0 μg/μL), HeLa (IC50, 5.45 μg/μL), Hep2 (IC50, 7.28 μg/μL) and low cytotoxicity against HCEC (IC50, 21.09 μg/μL). Significant antioxidant activity was observed with IC50 2.41 μg/mL against DPPH radical. Moreover, C. angustifolia extracts have the potential to inhibit microbial growth of E. cloacae, P. aeruginosa, S. mercescens and S. typhi.Conclusion C. angustifolia extracts revealed the presence of quercimeritrin (1), scutellarein (2), and rutin (3), all known to have useful bioactivities including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities.
Highlights
IntroductionCassia angustifolia Vahl. (commonly known as senna makkai or cassia senna), native to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and extensively cultivated in Pakistan, is a medicinal herb used traditionally to cure number of diseases like liver diseases, constipation, typhoid, cholera etc
Cassia angustifolia Vahl., native to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and extensively cultivated in Pakistan, is a medicinal herb used traditionally to cure number of diseases like liver diseases, constipation, typhoid, cholera etc
According to many research reports, the consumption of medicinal plants either in the form of raw extracts or chemical constituents is largely associated with lower risk of degenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress because they contain antioxidants such as phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins and carotenoids [10]
Summary
Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (commonly known as senna makkai or cassia senna), native to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and extensively cultivated in Pakistan, is a medicinal herb used traditionally to cure number of diseases like liver diseases, constipation, typhoid, cholera etc. Extensive researches on medicinal plants have indicated that they are good sources of antioxidants [4,5,6] They are involved in free radical scavenging activities which contribute to the protection from oxidative stress caused by the overproduction of free radicals and reactive oxygen species [7]. According to many research reports, the consumption of medicinal plants either in the form of raw extracts or chemical constituents is largely associated with lower risk of degenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress because they contain antioxidants such as phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins and carotenoids [10] Phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids are reported to be involved in various biochemical activities like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, antiartherogenic, antiinflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic [11]. There is a need to explore and develop antioxidants of natural origin with greater efficacy and fewer side effects
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