Anti-inflammatory effect of O-methylated flavonol 2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-chromen-4-one obtained from Cassia sophera Linn in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cassia sophera Linn (Family Caesalpiniaceae), popularly known as kasundi, is used both in the Indian traditional system and folk medicine to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, arthritis and pains. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the scientific basis of anti-inflammatory activity of Cassia sophera ethanol extracts and of an isolated constituent of Cassia sophera. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity of Cassia sophera was studied using the carrageenan, dextran induced rat paw edema, and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats. The ethanol extract was administered at the concentrations of 200 and 400mg/kg body weight whereas rhamnetin (RN) was administered at a dose of 10 and 15 mg/kg, b.w. Indomethacin was used as standard drug. RESULTS: The HPLC analysis revealed that good amounts of rhamnetin (0.18%) was present in Cassia sophera.The ethanol extracts at 400mg/kg, showed maximum inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan (44%), dextran (40%), cotton pellets (37.47%). On the other hand rhamnetin (15 mg/kg) exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effect, that is 79 and 33% at the end of 3h with carrageenin, and dextran-induced rat paw edema, respectively. In a chronic test rhamnetin (15 mg/kg) showed 43.32% reduction in granuloma weight. CONCLUSION: The marked inhibitory effect on paw edema and granuloma showed that Cassia sophera possess remarkable anti-inflammatory activity which may be due to rhamnetin at least in part, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory diseases.

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Leaves of Cassia sophera Linn.

In the present study, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extracts of Cassia sophera Linn. leaves was evaluated against carbon-tetrachloride- (CCl(4)-) induced hepatic damage in rats. The extracts at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg were administered orally once daily. The hepatoprotection was assessed in terms of reduction in histological damage, changes in serum enzymes, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein levels. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin were restored towards the normalization significantly by the extracts. The decreased serum total protein level was significantly normalized. Silymarin was used as standard reference and exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that Cassia sophera leaves have potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats. This study suggests that possible activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids in the extracts.