Phytochemistry and antimicrobial activities of Cassia occidentalis used for herbal remedies

Abstract

Leaves of Cassia occidentalis were extracted with ethanol and water. The extracts were used to carry out in vitro antimicrobial screening on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella spp. Chromatograhic separation was carried out on the active extracts, and the efficacy of the resulting fractions was tested against the susceptible organism. Some of the extracts indicated significant inhibitory activity against the tested organisms. General phytochemical screening was done on the ethanol, water extracts and fractions. Ethanol extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids and anthraquinones, while the fractions revealed the presence of tannins, terpenoids and anthraquinones. This result might explain the ethnobotanical use of the plant for the treatment of dysentery, gastro internal disorder, constipation and typhoid fever.

Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, plant, herbal remedies phytochemistry, antimicrobials

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 363-367, 2010