Antimicrobial screening ofCassia occidentalis L.in vivo andin vitro

Abstract

Ethanol extracts of different parts and the calli of Cassia occidentalis, and sequential extracts (petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethanol and water) of whole plant and metabolite-rich fractions (anthraquinones, sennosides and flavonoids) of leaves, pods, flowers and callus have been tested against indicator human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Likewise, an ethanol extract (whole plant) was tested against selected viruses and for antitumour and cytotoxicity following established protocols. The anthraquinones were found to be more active against E. coli and S. aureus (IZ 22 mm) while sennosides were more active against A. flavus (IZ 28 mm). However, no antiviral, antitumour or cytotoxicity effect was exhibited against the test systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.