Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation of leaves of Cassia fistula

Abstract

Recent findings indicate that leaves of Cassia fistula possess significant pharmacological activities which comply with the claims made in the traditional medicinal texts. However, no conclusive pharmacognostic study or phytochemical investigation of these leaves has been performed yet. The present work deals with the qualitative and quantitative pharmacognostic evaluation of the leaf material of Cassia fistula and establishment of its quality parameters, including pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation. Diagnostic characters of powder include unicellular covering trichomes, anomocytic and paracytic stomata, xylem vessels with reticulate thickening and prism-shaped calcium oxalate crystals. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of important classes of phytoconstituents like anthraquinone glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and carbohydrates. This would help in isolation of phytoconstituents, therapeutic investigations and standardization of formulations containing leaf material of C. fistula.