Cassia fistula L., Sp. Pl. 1: 377. 1753.
Vietnamese name: Bọ cạp nước, Muồng bọ cạp, Muồng hoàng yến
Chinese name: 腊肠树 la chang shu
English Name: Golden shower, purging cassia, Indian laburnum, pudding-pipe tree
Latin Name: Cassia fistula L.
Synonym Name: Bactyrilobium fistula Willd.; Cassia bonplandiana DC.; Cassia excelsa Kunth; Cassia fistuloides Collad. Cassia rhombifolia Roxb.; Cathartocarpus excelsus G.Don; Cathartocarpus fistula Pers.; Cathartocarpus fistuloides (Collad.) G.Don; Cathartocarpus rhombifolius G.Don
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Description:
Trees, deciduous, to 15 m tall. Leaves 30-40 cm, with 3 or 4 pairs of leaflets; leaflets adaxially shiny, broadly ovate or ovate-oblong, 8-13 × 4-8 cm, leathery, both surfaces puberulent when young, glabrous when mature, base broadly cuneate, apex acute. Racemes axillary, 20-40(-60) cm, lax, pendent, many flowered; flowers 3.5-4 cm in diam. Pedicels 3-5 cm, slender. Sepals narrowly ovate, 1-1.5 cm, reflexed at anthesis. Petals golden yellow, broadly ovate, subequal, 2.5-3.5 cm, shortly clawed. Stamens 10, 3 long with curved filaments 3-4 cm, anthers ca. 5 mm, exceeding petals, 4 short with straight filaments 6-10 mm, reduced stamens with minute anthers. Ovary stalked, strigulose; stigma small. Legume pendulous, blackish brown, terete, sausage-shaped, indehiscent, 30-60 cm, 2-2.5 cm in diam. Seeds numerous, separated by papery septa, glossy brown, elliptic, flattened. 2n = 28.
Habitat/ecology:
Ranging from Tropical Thorn to Moist through Subtropical Thorn to Moist Forest Life Zones, Indian laburnum is reported to tolerate precipitation of 4.8 to 27.2 dm (mean of 96 cases = 14.2), annual temperature of 18.0 to 28.5°C (mean of 94 cases = 25.5), and pH of 5.5 to 8.7 (mean of 23 cases = 7.1). Hortus III (1976) assigns it to Zone 10 in the United States.
Cultivation: Cassia fistula is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. It blooms in late spring. Flowering is profuse, with trees being covered with yellow flowers, many times with almost no leaf being seen. It grows well in dry climates. Growth for this tree is best in full sun on well-drained soil; it is relatively drought-tolerant and slightly salt-tolerant. It will tolerate light brief frost, but can get damaged if the cold persists. It can be subject to mildew or leaf spot, especially during the second half of the growing season. The tree blooms better with pronounced differences between summer and winter temperatures.
Distribution: Native to India, cultivated throughout the tropics.
Chemistry:
- Cassia fistula extracts have been attributed to their primary and secondary metabolite composition. Primary metabolite analysis has essentially been focussed on the seed, pollen, fruit, leaf and pod. The composition of protein 12 %, carbohydrate 11.75%, lipid 12% and free amino acid 1.42%, respectively. The stem bark of Cassia fistula contains two flavonol glycosides, 5, 7, 3’, 4’-tetrahydroxy-6, 8- dimethoxyflavone-3-O-α-arabinopyranoside, 5, 7, 4’-trihydroxy-6, 8, 3’- trimethoxyflavone-3-O-α-Lrhamnosyl (1—>2)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and a xanthone glycoside, 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 7- dimethoxyxanthone-4-O- α-L-rhamnosyl (1— >2)-O--D-β glucopyranoside.
- The fruit of Cassia fistula was a good source of Fe and Mn, and their concentrations were considerably higher than those in apple, apricot, peach, pear and Orange and also revealed the presence of aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine constituted 15.3, 13.0 and 7.8%, respectively, of the total amino acids in the pulp. The seeds yield a gum (7.65%) which is the most efficient suspending agent for calomel, kaolin and talc29. Extraction of the dried and crushed seeds with petroleum ether (b.p.60-80°C) in a specially modified soxhlet apparatus gave 5.0% brownish yellow oil. Subsequently, Chrysophanic acid was also isolated from this oil. Mucilage (25.8%) was isolated from the seeds by extraction with hot water. The seeds constituted the same amino acids with 16.6, 19.5 and 6.6%, respectively while, isolated 5-Nonatetracontanone, 2-hentriacontanone, triacontane, 16 hentriacontane and beta– sitosterol from the hexane fraction of the fruits. fruit pulp contains sugar, gum, astringent matter, gluten, coloring matter and water proteins (19.94%) and carbohydrates (26.30%); arginine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, aspartic and glutamic acids; a new dimeric proanthocyanidin CFI isolated along with (–) epiafzelechin, (+) catechin, kaempferol, dihydrokaempferol and 1, 8-dihydroxy-3- methylanthraquinone. The neutral lipids were accounted for over 89.80% of the total weight of the lipid employed. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids present in the oil were separated and varied from 23.79% to 28.20% and 63.28% to 66.71% respectively. The fatty acid composition of the oil was analyzed by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). The major fatty acids found in the oil were linoleic acid (42.42%), oleic acid (29.62%), stearic acid (14.33%) and palmitic acid (11.41%). In addition to the above, caprylic acid (0.76%) and myristic acid (1.44%) were also present in minor amounts. Yueh-Hsiung Kuo et al. (2002), identified four new compounds from the seeds of Cassia fistula, 5-(2-hydroxy phenoxy methyl) furfural, (22 S)-7-hydroxy- 5-hydroxymethyl-2-(22 -hydroxypropyl) chromone, benzyl 2- hydroxy-3,6- dimethoxybenzoate and benzyl 2 -O-D-glucopyranosyl- 3,6-dimethoxybenzoate, together with four known compounds, 5 hydroxymethylfurfural, (22 S)-7-hydroxy-2-(22 -hydroxypropyl)-5- methylchromone, and two oxyanthraquinones, chrysophanol and chrysophanein.
Pharmacological study:
1. Anti-Fungal Activity
4-hydroxy benzoic acid hydrate obtained from the extracts of the flower of Cassia fistula (an ethnomedicinal plant) showed antifungal activity against richophyton mentagrophytes (MIC 0.5 mg/ml) and Epidermophyton floccosum (MIC 0.5 mg/ml).
2. Antibacterial activity
Three lectins from the Cassia fistula seeds possess antibacterial activities against various pathogenic bacteria.The antibacterial activity of the aqueous and alcoholic extract of stem bark of Cassia fistula was highly effective.
3. Anti- inflammatory activity
The extract of leaves of Cassia fistula was suggested for anti-inflammatory effects. the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the Cassia fistula bark were found significant.
4. Central Nervous System activities
The methanol extract of the seed Cassia fistula was tested for different pharmacological actions in mice. A depressant action of ME was also evident from the behavioral studies on mice. These results contribute with novel antiprotozoal compounds for future drug design studies.
5. Antiparasitic Activity
The fractionation through guided antileishmanial activity of the dichloromethane extract of Cassia fistula fruits (Leguminosae) led to the isolation of the active isoflavone biochanin A, identified by spectroscopic method.
6. Anti-itching activity
Vicharchika (eczema) is a chronic skin disease with no permanent cure in modern medicine. Raising serum IgE level is the commonest immunological marker for eczema. This study suggests of significant efficacy of Aragvadha on the patients of Vicharchika (eczema).
7. Antipyretic activity
The pods of Cassia fistula was found to be devoid of antipyretic activity in experimental models. The pod's extracts showed a marked antipyretic effect by causing a reduction in yeast-induced fever. The extract caused a better hypothermal activity against yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Subcutaneous injection of yeast induces pyrexia by increasing synthesis of prostaglandin and is used to screen.
8. Antitussive activity:
The methanolic extract of Cassia fistula was investigated for its effect on a cough model induced by sulfur dioxide gas in mice. It exhibited significant antitussive activity when compared with control in a dose-dependent manner.
9. Antioxidant Activity
Antioxidant activities of the aqueous (CFA) and methanolic extracts (CFM) of the Cassia fistula. Both extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, Nitric oxide, and Hydroxyl radical induced in-vitro assay methods. Both extracts showed Dose-Dependent protective effect Against lipid peroxidation and free radical generation in liver and kidney homogenates 24, 25. Antioxidant activity of Cassia fistula Linn) flowers in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Fruit Pulp powder of Cassia fistula was investigated for its antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo.
10. Wound Healing
Infection is the major problem to treat the wound. Antibiotic resistance by the pathogenic microorganism renders drug ineffective. The alcohol extract of C. fistula leaves was analyzed for Antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cassia fistula treated rats showed, better wound closure, improved tissue regeneration at the wound site, and supporting histopathological
parameters pertaining to wound healing, and thus confirming the efficacy of Cassia fistula in the treatment of the infected wound.
11. Antiulcer activity
The ethanol leaf extract of Cassia fistula Linn was evaluated for antiulcer activity against pylorus ligation- induced gastric ulcer.
12. Antileishmanial activity
Hexane extract from the fruits showed significant antileishmanial activity against the promastigote form of Leishmania L. chagasi.
13. Anti-fertility
Cassia fistula reversibly suppresses fertility in male rats. Withdrawal of extract restored all the altered parameters, including organ weights, fertility, the circulatory level of hormones and tissue biochemistry, to control levels after 120 days. Oral administration of aqueous extract of seeds of Cassia fistula to mated female rats from day 1-5 of pregnancy at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight resulted in 57.14% and 71.43% prevention of pregnancy, respectively, whereas 100% pregnancy inhibition was noted at 500 mg/kg bw.
14. Antimicrobial activity
The leaves, stem bark and fruit pulp showed antibacterial activity. The fruit pulp was the most potent in this respect. The activity might be due to the presence of flavonoids. The solvent ether extract of the fruit pulp possess the maximum activity and when compared to chloramphenicol, the activity of 1 gm of this extract was found to be more than that seen with 100-g of chloramphenicol.
15. Antitumor activity
The effects of methanolic extract (ME) of Cassia fistula seed on the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and on the life span of tumor-bearing mice were studied. ME treatment showed an increase of life span, and a decrease in the tumor volume and viable tumor cell count in the EAC tumor hosts. Cytological studies have revealed a reduction in the mitotic activity and the appearance of membrane blebbing and intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the treated tumor cells. 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. The results of the present study suggest that ME of C. fistula seed has an antitumor activity. Hematological studies have revealed that out of the three doses of ME, ME at the dose of 100 mg/kg has shown better results than at the doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg. The exact mechanism by which ME mediates its antitumor effect is still to be elucidated. Cytological changes indicate that ME might be having a direct tumoricidal effect on the tumor cells.
16. Hepato- protective activity
Cassia fistula Linn. has improved in the markers of hepatic toxicity and oxidative stress. The hepatoprotective activity of Cassia fistula leaves has proved protective effect is analogous to that of a standard hepatoprotective agent. Effect on chikungunya The crude extract of Cassia fistula Linn. Served as a potential larvicidal, ovicidal and repellent agent against chikungunya vector mosquito.
17. Laxative activity
In-vitro effect of Cassia fistula infusion on isolated guinea-pig ileum study concluded that C. fistula pod infusion possesses significant dose-dependent laxative activity.
18. Effect on skin diseases
On the basis of the results of this study, it may be concluded that the Cassia fistula is having a significant effect in ameliorating the skin diseases due to pitta origin and is the safe drug of choice of purgation therapy.
18. Larvicidal and ovicidal activity
The methanolic leaf extract of Cassia fistula was tested for larvicidal and ovicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi. The results show that the leaf extract of C. fistula is promising as a larvicidal and ovicidal agent against C. quinquefasciatus and A. stephensi.
19. Hypolipidemic Activity
The effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula Linn. Legume was assessed on serum lipid metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats. The effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula legume was assessed on serum lipid metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats.
20. Antidiabetic Activity
The antidiabetic potential of the total alcoholic extract & its ethyl acetate fraction of the bark of Cassia fistula was studied in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited a Significant reduction in blood glucose levels than alcoholic extract. The activity was found comparable with standard drug glibenclamide. The mechanism of hypoglycemic and antidiabetic action of hydroalcoholic extract of Cassia fistula Linn in rats was reported.The ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula Linn Stem bark was investigated for their antihyperglycemic activity. Aqueous extract of Cassia fistula (Linn.) flowers (ACF) was screened for its antioxidant effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The seeds of Cassia fistula were investigated for their hypoglycemic activity. They were found to have marked hypoglycemic activity on normal albino rats but not on alloxan produced diabetic
albino rats.
Use food: In India, flowers of the golden shower tree are sometimes eaten by people. The leaves have also been used to supplement the diets of cattle, sheep, and goats fed with low-quality forages.
Use medical:
- In Ayurvedic medicine, the golden shower tree is known as aragvadha, meaning "disease killer". The fruit pulp is considered a purgative, and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts. Though it has been used in herbalism for millennia, little research has been conducted in modern times, although it is an ingredient in some mass-produced herbal laxatives. When used as such, it is known as "cassia pods".
- In VietNam, Treatment of skin fungus (Leaves). Diarrhea, rheumatism, indigestion, limbs, constipation, dysentery (Fruit). Fever (Flower). Roundworm (Wood).
- In India, a cathartic made from the pulp is sometimes added to tobacco.
Reference:
- theplantlist.org
- efloras.org
- ipni.org
- Aarti V. Pawar, Sayali .J Patil, Suresh G. Killedar; Uses of Cassia Fistula Linn as a Medicinal Plant; Pawar Aarti .V; International Journal of Advance Research and Development.; 2017, Volume2, Issue3, pp. 85-89
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