Phytochemical Analysis and in Vitro Efficacy of Two Edible Cassia Species on Selected Human Pathogens

Present study reports phytochemical screening and the inhibitory activity of crude extracts of Cassia tora and Cassia sophera (fam: caesalpinaceae) on some human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The selected plants are edible and used by local herbal medical practitioners to treat various skin infections and respiratory problems. Leaf and flower extracts were prepared with different solvents and tested for the presence of primary and secondary metabolites which are pharmacologically active compounds. Acetone and Aqueous extracts revealed the presence of more constituents including glycosides, phenols, flavonoids alkaloids etc. As many of the active ingredients in chemically manufactured drugs were originally derived from plant compounds, extracts are also used to screen the antimicrobial activity. The results showed very high inhibitory activity against skin pathogens like Staphylococcus and Candida albicans. The zone of inhibition was determined utilizing the well diffusion method. For comparison chloramphenicol and Fluconazole were used as standard reference. Among bacteria used gram positive bacteria and fungus Candida albicans were most inhibited. Flower and leaf extracts showed different activity, revealing differential solubility of phytochemicals. The present study correlates medicinal properties of C. tora and C. sophera and their use in folklore medicine. INTRODUCTION: Herbs have been always principal forms of medicine in ancient India, as early man was close to Mother Nature. But in the name of civilization man is away from nature and due to loss of forests, increased pollution various plants with medicinal properties are vanishing. This has lead living beings to become more susceptible to diseases. Now as people strive to stay healthy, herbal medicine is becoming popular throughout the world. The herbs provide the starting material for the isolation or synthesis of conventional drugs. Herbs play a significant role, especially in modern time, when the damaging effects of food processing and over medication have assumed alarming proportion. In many developing countries medicinal plants are still being used on regular basis . Potent pathogens were selected for study. Staphylococcus causes skin infections and elevates symptoms of psoriasis . Candida species causes opportunistic infections especially in diabetics and AIDS patients . It is estimated that about 70000 species (from lichens to trees) have been used for medicinal purposes. Ayurveda alone describes 2000 species which contributes 10000 formulations.