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Botany
Erect, shrubby legume with dark green compound leaves on stout
branches. Leaves have orange rachis. Each leaf has 16-28 leaflets.
An axis of golden yellow flowers produces 4-winged pods containing
50-60 flattened, triangular seeds. Flowers enclosed by yellow-orange
bracts that are later shed. Usually upper 3 stamens sterile.
Constituents
and chemical properties
Chrysophanic acid (chrysophanol); oxymethyl
anthraquinone, 2.2%; aloe-emodin; rhein; cassiaxanthone; tannins; saponins;
alkaloids.
Its fungicide property derives from chrysophanic acid.
Saponin acts as a laxative and expels intestinal parasites.
Distribution
Sporadic in open wastelands near watery areas. Propagated rapidly
by seeds (dispersed by waters) or stem cuttings. Basal stem may produce coppices
(suckers).Seeds from mature pods can
be collected during the season and immediately planted or stored
for six months.
Parts
utilized
Leaves, seeds, and flowers.
Uses
Folkloric
Intestinal parasitism: The seeds used for intestinal parasitism.
Tincture from leaves reported to be purgative.
Cough: Decoction of leaves and flowers for cough.
Ringworm, scabies, eczema,
tinea infections, insect bites, herpes: Crushed leaves and juice extract.
Preparation: Pound enough fresh leaves; express (squeeze
out) the juice and apply on the affected skin morning and evening. Improvement
should be noticed after 2 - 3 weeks of treatment.
Decoction of leaves and flowers used as mouthwash in stomatitis.
In Africa, the boiled leaves are used for
hypertension.
In South American, used for skin diseases,
stomach problems, fever, asthma, snake bites and venereal disease.
In Thailand, leaves are boiled and drunk
to hasten delivery.
As laxative, boil 10-15 dried leaves in water, taken in the morning
and bedtime.
For wound treatment, leaves are boiled and simmered to one-third volume,
then applied to affected areas twice daily.
New applications
Commercial lotions and ointments for ringworm, pityriasis
versicolor, athlete's foot
Studies
• Antifungal:
(1) Crude ethanol and aqueous extract
of Cassia alata (GELENGGANG
BESAR) leaves and bark were
tested for antifungal activity in vitro against three fungi –
Aspergillus fumigatus, Microsporum canis and Candida
albicans. The study showed the C. alata to be effective against
C. albicans, confirming its potential as a natural source of antifungal
remedy. (2) Ethanolic extract of leaves showed potent activity against
dermatophytes without effect on C albicans, A fumigatus or non-dermatophytes.
(3) Study yielded an anthraquinone high-yielding Senna alata leaf extract
with antifungal activity against dermatophytes – Tricophyton rubrum,
T mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum.
• Analgesic: Ethanol and hexane
extract of Senna alata leaves showed analgesic effect in mice.
• Phytochemistry / Antimicrobial Activity:
(1) Nigerian studies showed activity of the methanol leaf extract
on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus
aureus, Proteus vulgaris. Secondary metabolites were identified (saponins,
tannins, phenolic compounds, eugenol, glycosides and anthraquinones).
(2) Study of methanolic extracts of flowers, leaves, stem and root barks
of CA showed a broad specturm of antibacterial activity, with the flower
extract the most effective.
• Antiseptic Soap: A Nigerian
study on Cassia alata-based soap exhibited high antimicrobial potency
against Staph aureus, the organism most widely encountered and undesirable
of the normal skin flora. At a reduction time of 5 mins, the herbal
soap made a 94.78% reduction of the microbial load, findings of ecoomic,
industrial and medical significance.
• Antiinflammatory: Leaf
extract of S. alata showed antiinflammatory activity through inhibition
of histamin secretion.
• Antibacterial: Study showed
the water extract of leaves to have more portent antibacterial activity
than the ethanol extract against S. aureus.
• Purgative Effect: Study
showed Cassia alata fresh leaves showed significant purgative efficacy
on volume and frequency compared to placebo.
• Hematologic & Toxicity Effects:
Study of aqueous leaf extract in albino showed significant dose-dependent
decreases in hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte counts with emaciation,
loss of apetite and weight loss as signs of toxicity.
• Phytochemistry & Antibacterial
Activity of Senna alata Flower: Study of crude plant extracts
yielded steroids, anthraquinone glycosides, volatile oils and tannins
with good inhibitory activity against S aureus, S faecalis, B subtilis
among others.
Ointment preparation
(1) Wash fresh leaves thoroughly and cut
in small pieces.
(2) Add one glass of cooking oil or coconut oil to one glass of cut
fresh leaves.
(3) Fry until crispy.
(4) Remove from the heat; strain.
(5) Cut 2 white candles (Esperma No. 5) into small pieces.
(6) In a cooking pot, pour the strained oil together with the candle
pieces; stir until the candle has melted.
(7) Pour the mixture into a clean container; cover when cool.
(8) Apply the ointment to affected areas twice daily.
(Source: <www.doh.gov.ph/pitahc>)
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Commercially available as lotion and ointment, in 5- and 10-gm containers.
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