pharmacognostical study of the seeds of cassia torrl grown in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Cassia tora L. [Leguminosae] was cultivated for the first time in Egypt. Macro- and micromorphological investigation of the seeds of this plant revealed the diagnostic features by which the seeds can be identified in the entire and powdered forms. Phytochemical screening of the seed and TLC investigation of its successive extractives revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols and /or triterpenes and catechol tannins. Alkaloids, saponins, cardenolides, oxidase enzyme and steam-volatiles were found to be absent. Pharmacopoeial constants and extractives yielded to selective organic solvents in succession were determined. They can serve as means for confirming the identification or establishing the purity of seeds