International Journal of Bioassays ISSN: 2278-778X www.ijbio.com R Re ev vi i e ew w A Ar rt ti i c cl l e e *Corresponding Author: Dr. Satish A Bhalerao, Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Wilson College, Mumbai-400 007, India 1421 BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS, ETHNOBOTANY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROSPECTIVES OF CASSIA TORA LINN. Satish A Bhalerao 1* , Deepa R Verma 2 , Nikhil C Teli 2 , Rohan V Gavankar 2 , Ashwin A Trikannad 2 and Parinita P Salvi 2 1 Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Wilson College, Mumbai-400 007, University of Mumbai, India 2 Department of Biological Sciences, VIVA College, Virar (w)-401 303, University of Mumbai, India Received for publication: August 11, 2013; Revised: September 23, 2013; Accepted: September 27, 2013 INTRODUCTION Cassia tora Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae) is a small annual, erect, shrub like herb which grows in warm moist soil throughout the tropical parts of Asian and African countries; with a height of 30 to 90 cm. It grows as a wild shrub mostly in the tropical regions and is considered as a weed in most places. Its native range is not well known but it is mostly found in South Asia 1 . It is often confused with Chinese Senna or Sicklepod, S. obtusifolia. It is mainly found in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, in India. In Himachal Pradesh it mostly grows as a weed in waste disposal sites, roadsides, field border etc 2 . It occurs frequently in hot, wet and tropical climates 3, 4 . The trunk of Cassia tora Linn., is straight, woody, profusely branched however hairy stem end regions are rare. It has pinnate leaves, which are about 10 cm long. Each leaf has three pairs of leaflets that are opposite, ovate, oblong and oblique at the base 5 . The yellow colored flowers are bearded in the axel of the leaves. The flowers comprises of five petals, each about half inch in diameter. The seeds of Cassia tora are rhombohedral and brown in color, about 30 to 50 in number. The plant bears flowers in the rainy season and fruits in the winter. This plant popularly known as Foetid Cassia, Tora, Sickle Senna, Wild Senna, Sickle Pod, Coffee Pod, Tovara, Chakvad and Ringworm Plant. The Cassia tora is also known as Charota and Chakvad in Hindi, Chakunda in Bengali and Oriya, Kawaria in Gujarati, Chakramandrakam in Malayalam, Takala in Marathi, Chakramarda & Dadmari in Sanskrit, Tagarai in Tamil and Chinnakasinda in Telugu 6,7 . Herbals which form a vital part of our nutrition and provide an supplementary therapeutic effect which is in demand and Cassia tora is one such plant. It is a medicinal plant whose properties are 2 . Traditionally, it is used as a tonic, carminative and stimulant. Its leaves, seeds, and roots are used medicinally, primarily in Asia 8,9,10 . Plant is widely used to treat vitiated tridosha, skin diseases, dandruff, constipation, cough, hepatitis, fever, and hemorrhoids. The seed of C. tora has tremendous potential in the field of pharmaceuticals as it processes antioxidant activity and contain many active substances including chrysophenol, emodin, rhein etc 11 . Many medicinal properties such as antimicrobial, antihepatotoxic and antimutagenic activities have been known to this plant 12,13,14 . C. tora leaves, seeds and roots are also utilized as food ingredients 8 . Cassia tora Linn. (Sans: Chakramardha) is already mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic Literature. A literature survey indicated its use against various skin diseases such as ringworm, eczema, and scabies 15,16 . Table.1: Botanical classification of Cassia tora Linn. Family Name Caesalpiniaceae Kingdom Plantae Division Magnoliophyta Class Magnoliopsida Subclass Rosidae Order Fabales Family Fabaceae Subfamily Caesalpinioideae Tribe Cassieae Sub-tribe Cassiinae Genus Cassia Species Tora Botanical Name Cassia tora Linn. Abstract: Cassia tora Linn. (Family: Leguminosae) is one of the well-known herb as well as a common weed in most of the Asian countries. In India, Different parts of these plants are known for its meditative value as an antioxidant, antimutagenic, antidiuretic etc. In Ayurveda this plant constitutes as “Dadrughan- vati” which helps in treatment of skin diseases like ring worm, leucoderma, eczema etc. It is an anthroquinone containing plant which also has a certain bioactive compounds such as emodin, rhein, palmatic, isostearic, etc. The present review deals with bioactive compounds, traditional uses, and pharmacological perspectives of Cassia tora Linn. Keywords: Anthroquinone, Cassia tora Linn., Eczema, Medicative, Pharmacological