Senna alata (akapulko) extract versus topical antifungals for treatment of superficial fungal skin infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>OBJECTIVE:</b> The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Senna alata (akapulko) plant extracts compared with topical antifungals in the treatment of superficial fungal skin infections.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>METHODS:</b> A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that studied patients with diagnosed cutaneous tinea or dermatophytosis (excluding hair and nail), tinea versicolor, or cutaneous candidiasis, via microscopy or culture, and compared the efficacy and safety of S. alata (akapulko) extract versus topical antifungals. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts of merged search results from electronic databases (The Cochrane Skin Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE (January 1990 to December 2011), Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), and reference lists of articles), assessed eligibility, assessed the risk of bias using the domains in the Cochrane Risk Bias tool and collected data using a pretested Data extraction form (DEF). Meta-analyses were performed when feasible.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>RESULTS:</b> We included seven RCTs in the review. There is low certainty of evidence that S. alata 50% lotion is as efficacious as sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion (RR 0.91, 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.04; 4 RCTs, n=216; p=0.15; I2=52%) and high quality evidence that S. alata cream is as efficacious as ketoconazole (RR 0.95, 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.09; 1 RCT, n=40; p=0.44) and terbinafine cream (RR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.01; 1 RCT, n=150; p=0.09) in mycologic cure. For adverse effects, there is very low certainty of evidence of increased harm with S. alata 50% lotion compared to sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion (RR 1.26, 95% CI, 0.46, 3.44; 2 RCTs, n=120; p=0.65; I2=19%). Adverse effects were few and mild.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>CONCLUSION:</b> S. Alata 50% lotion may be as efficacious as sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion and is as efficacious as ketoconazole 2% and terbinafine 1% creams. There is insufficient evidence to compare the safety of S. alata 50% lotion with sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion.</p>

A new 2-arylbenzofuran from twigs of Cassia alata and its cytotoxicity / 中草药

Objective: For the purpose of finding new bioactive agents from ethnic medicines, the chemical study on Dai Medicine Cassia alata was carried out. Methods: The chemical constituents from the twigs of C. alata were isolated by column chromatographic methods of silica gel, MCI-Gel resin, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The cytotoxicity of this compound for NB-4, A-549, SHSY5Y, PC-3, and MCF-7 cells line was also evaluated by using the MTT method. Results: Four 2-arylbenzofuran compounds were isolated from this plant and identified as 7- methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzofuran (1), moracin N (2), 2-(2'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-aryl)-3-methy-6-hydroxybenzofuran (3), and moracin P (4). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named as 7-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzofuran. Compound 1 also displays the high cytotoxicity to tested cancer cell-line.

A new furan-2-carboxylic acid from stem bark of Cassia alata / 中国中药杂志

A new furan-2-carboxylic acid, 5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-3-methylfuran-2-carboxylic acid(1),has been isolated from the bark of Cassia alata by using various chromatographic techniques. It displayed cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3 and MCF7 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 2.5, 1.2, 2.2, 3.6 and 1.9 μmol•L⁻¹, respectively.

Antifungal Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Cassia Alata Linn.

Cassia alata Linn is an important medicinal plant as well as ornamental flowering plant. The leaf decoction of Cassia alata has been used to treat infectious diseases in north eastern Nigeria. This study was embarked upon so as to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Cassia alata in the management of fungal infectious diseases. The leaves of the plant were collected, dried and extracted using water and 95% ethanol. The extracts were used for evaluating antifungal activity against five clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi. The result of this study showed a dose dependent antifungal activity of both aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts on the five selected clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi. The extracts inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophyte better than the ketoconazole 200 mg used as a positive control (p<0.05). The minimum inhibitory concentration of the water leaf extract of Cassia alata for Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, Microsporium canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were 26.90 mg, 32.40 mg, 29.50 mg, 30.30 mg and 27.80 mg respectively, while that of ethanol leaf extract of Cassia alata for Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, Microsporium canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were 5.60 mg, 3.50 mg, 4.90 mg, 12.60 mg and 9.80 mg respectively. Cassia alata has been found to exhibit a greater antifungal activity against some human pathogenic fungi in this study and this has justified the traditional use of this plant in managing fungal diseases.

Cassia alata leaf extract induces cytotoxicity in A549 lung cancer cells via a mechanism that is caspase 8 dependent / El extracto de la hoja de cassia alata induce citotoxicidad en las células A549 del cáncer pulmonar humano a través de un mecanismo dependiente de la caspasa 8

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of a hexane extract of Cassia alata leaves in A549 lung cancer cells. METHOD: Parental A549 lung cancer cells were exposed to various concentrations (100"180 µg/ml) of Cassia alata leaf extract for 24 hours. Following treatment, the cells were evaluated using the 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to determine the cytotoxic effect of the extract. Caspase 8, 3 and 9 negative A549 cells were also prepared using lentiviral based shRNA knockdown of the caspase 8, 3 and 9 genes, respectively. The cytotoxic effect of Cassia alata leaf extract was then evaluated in these knockdown cells using the MTT assay. Chemical analysis was performed on the extract using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Cassia alata extract was cytotoxic in parental and caspase-9 negative, but not caspase 3 and 8 negative A549 cells. The IC50 values were 143 µg/ml and 145 µg/ml in parental and caspase 9 negative A549 cells respectively. The flavanoid kaempferol was identified as a constituent of Cassia alata leaf extract. CONCLUSIONS: Cassia alata produces cytotoxicity in A549 cancer cells that is mediated by caspase 8 activation. This effect may be attributable to kaempferol.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el efecto citotóxico de un extracto de hexano de hojas de Cassia alata en las células A549 del cáncer pulmonar. MÉTODO: Células A549 parentales del cáncer pulmonar fueron expuestas a varias concentraciones (100-180 µg/ml) de un extracto de la hoja de Cassia alatadurante 24 horas. Tras el tratamiento, las células fueron evaluadas usando el ensayo de bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difeniltetrazolio (MTT) a fin de determinar el efecto citotóxico del extracto. También se prepararon células A549 negativas caspasa 8, 3 y 9 mediante silenciamiento génico vía ARN (shRNA knockdown) de los genes de las caspasas 8, 3 y 9 respectivamente, sobre la base de la inserción de vectores lentivirales. Entonces, usando un ensayo MTT se procedió a evaluar el efecto citotóxico del extracto de hojas de Cassia alataen éstas células genéticamente modificadas. Se realizó un análisis químico del extracto utilizando cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia. (HPLC). RESULTADOS: El extracto de Cassia alata resultó ser citotóxico en las células A549 negativas parentales y caspasa 9, pero no en las negativas caspasa 3 y 8. Los valores de IC50 fueron 143 µg/ml y 145 µg/ml en las células A549 negativas parentales y caspasa 9 respectivamente. El flavonol kaempferol fue identificado como un constituyente del extracto de las hojas de Cassia alata. CONCLUSIONES: La Cassia alata produce citotoxicidad en las células cancerosas A549, mediada por la activación de la caspasa 8. Este efecto puede ser atribuido al kaempferol.

Anti-inflammatory activities of cassia alata leaf extract in complete freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats / Actividades anti-inflamatorias del extracto de hojas de cassia alata en artritis inducida en ratas mediante adyuvante completo de freund

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of a hexane extract of Cassia alata leaves in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) arthritis in rats. METHOD: A hexane extract of Cassia alata leaves was administered by oral gavage to CFA arthritic rats (500 mg/kg, n = 6). Controls received corn oil (2 ml, n = 6). The CFA arthritic model was induced by the injection of 0.5 ml (CFA) into the synovial cavity of the right knee joint of the hind leg of rats. The ability of the plant extract to reduce swelling as a sign of arthritic inflammation was assessed by obtaining the circumference of the knee joint before and for twenty eight days post arthritis induction. Reduction of leukocyte infiltration into the blood and synovial cavity of the arthritic rats were assessed using automated counting and Wrights method. Protection against cartilage erosion was also assessed histologically. RESULTS: Cassia alata extract significantly (p = 0.0032) reduced knee circumference (swelling) in the CFA arthritic rats. Total and differential leukocyte counts in both blood and synovial fluid from Cassia alata treated animals were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in control animals. Protective effects against cartilage degradation on the femoral head of the knee joint were observed in Cassia alata treated animals, as normal cartilage structure and chondrocyte arrangement were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Cassia alata exhibits anti-inflammatory activities that should be further examined and potentially exploited for anti-arthritic therapies.

OBJETIVO: Investigar los efectos anti-inflamatorios del extracto de hexano de hojas de Cassia alata en artritis inducida por adyuvante completo de Freund (CFA) en ratas. MÉTODO: Un extracto de hexano de hojas de Cassia alata fue administrado por gavage oral a ratas artríticas por CFA (500 mg/kg, n = 6). Los controles recibieron aceite de maíz (2 ml, n = 6). El modelo artrítico de CFA fue inducido inyectando 0.5 ml (CFA) en la cavidad sinovial de la rótula derecha de la pata trasera de las ratas. La capacidad del extracto de la planta en cuanto a reducir la inflamación como signo de la inflamación artrítica, fue evaluada obteniendo la circunferencia de la rótula antes y durante veintiocho días posterior a la inducción de la artritis. La reducción de la infiltración de leucocitos en la sangre y la cavidad sinovial de las ratas artríticas fue evaluada usando el conteo automatizado y el método de Wright. También se evaluó histológicamente la protección contra la erosión del cartílago. RESULTADOS: El extracto de Cassia alata redujo significativamente (p = 0.0032) la circunferencia de la rodilla (inflamación) en las ratas artríticas por CFA. Los conteos totales y diferenciales de leucocitos tanto en la sangre como en el líquido sinovial de los animales tratados con Cassia alata fueron significativamente (p < 0.05) más bajos en los animales del control. Los efectos protectores contra la degradación del cartílago en la cabeza femoral de la rótula fueron observados en los animales tratados con Cassia alata, ya que se mantuvieron la estructura normal del cartílago y las disposición de los condrocitos. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados sugieren que la Cassia alata exhibe propiedades anti-inflamatorias que deben ser examinadas ulteriormente y explotadas potencialmente para las terapias anti-artríticas.

Assessment of antibacterial, thrombolytic and cytotoxic potential of Cassia alata seed oil.

Cassia alata is a pan tropical shrub. It has been reported to have medicinal activities like laxative effect and active against ringworm, skin diseases and ulcer. The leaf extract of this plant has shown antibacterial activity. In this study, seed oil extracted from Cassia alata , was studied for Antibacterial, Thrombolytic and Cytotoxic activity by using in vitro techniques. Chloroform extract of the seed oil was tested for Antibacterial activity using disc diffusion method and that extract showed potent antibacterial activity against both Gram(+) and Gram(-) bacteria. DMSO extract of the seed oil was tested for Brine shrimp lethality bioassay using Brine shrimp nauplii. The LC50 of DMSO extract of Cassia alata seed oil was found to be 250μg/ml, indicates that the oil has moderate pharmacological action. The DMSO extract of the seed oil was also tested for in vitro thrombolytic activity. The extract showed reasonable thrombolytic activity against negative control (water).Further investigation on the plant is required to confirm their pharmacological activity and thereby utilizing them as useful medicinal plant.