Cassia Tora Linn.: an Overview

Cassia tora Linn. (Family: Leguminosae) is well known plant widely distributed in India and other tropical countries. It is an annual under shrub and grows in wild wasteland. Different parts of the plant (Leaves, seed, and root) are reputed for their medicinal value. It is well recognized traditional medicine as laxative and is useful for treatment of leprosy, ringworm infection, ophthalmic, skin diseases and liver disorders. Several chemical compounds such as Anthraquinone glycosides, Naphthopyrone glycosides, Phenolic compounds, Flavonoids etc. have been isolated from this plant. The present review summarizes the scientific information of various aspects of Cassia tora plant used in traditional system of medicine for variety of purpose. INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 80% of people living in developing countries rely almost exclusively on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs . India is virtually a herbarium of the world. In India, we are using plants and herbs as the basic source of medicine because we are rich in them. Herbals which form a part of our nutrition and provide us an additional therapeutic effect are in demand and Cassia tora is one of such plant. Cassia tora Linn. (C. tora) is well known medicinal plant commonly found in India and other tropical countries . Various medicinal properties have been attributed to this plant in the traditional system of Indian medicine. Several anthraquinones have been isolated from the seeds of C. tora 3, . Sennosides, which are well known for their medicinal importance, have been detected in the leaves of the plants . The extracts of C. tora have been used as a remedy for various skin ailments, rheumatic disease and as laxatives 6, 7, . The extract of C. tora leaves has been found to possess significant hepatoprotective activity and anti-inflammatory activity 9, . The seeds of C. tora have been used in Chinese medicine as aperients, antiasthma, diuretic agent and also improve the visual activity . The present article summarizes the updated information on various aspects such as pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and biopotential of C. tora Linn. It also focuses on correlation between active constituents and medicinal uses of this plant.