<em>Cassia spectabilis </em>(DC) Irwin et Barn: A Promising Traditional Herb in Health Improvement

• Main Authors: Subramanian Deivanai, Lachimanan Yoga Latha, Yeng Chen, Dharmaraj Saravanan, Yee Siew Choong, Ibrahim Darah, Angeline Torey, Subramanion L. Jothy, Sreenivasan Sasidharan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-08-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: <em>Cassia spectabilis</em> <em> </em>pharmacological properties; ethnomedicinal uses; phytochemistry
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/17/9/10292

The genus <em>Cassia</em>, comprising about 600 species widely distributed worldwide is well known for its diverse biological and pharmacological properties. <em>Cassia spectabilis </em>(sin <em>Senna spectabilis</em>) (DC) Irwin et Barn (Fabaceae) is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. <em>C. spectabilis </em>has been commonly used in traditional medicine for many years. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated the presence of a variety of medicinally-important chemical constituents in <em>C. spectabilis</em>. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that <em>C. spectabilis</em> possesses significant biological activity, such as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifungal and antioxidant properties. Beside this, toxicity studies of this plant have revealed no toxic effect on mice. In view of the immense medicinal importance of <em>C. spectabilis</em>, this review aimed at compiling all currently available information on <em>C. spectabilis</em>’s botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and mechanism of actions, toxicology and its ethnomedicinal uses.