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traditional medicinal systems – Unani, Siddha and Ayurveda, all depend on the medicinal

values of the plants. The medical system of Ayurveda is believed to have developed around
2500 and 500 B.C. (Subhose et. al. 2005). India has such a rich diversity of herbs that it can

also be called virtual herbarium. The herbs form essential part of our daily nutrition and also
provide therapeutic effects. The demand for such herbs have grown drastically in recent times

and many plant species, previously overlooked, have now become hot topic of various
research (Harshal et. al. 2011). India has such a rich diversity of herbs that it can also be

called virtual herbarium. The herbs form essential part of our daily nutrition and also provide

therapeutic effects. The demand for such herbs have grown drastically in recent times and
Cassia species being one such herb has been a hot topic of various research (Nadkarni, 1954).

Cassia species belong to the well-known community of the medicinal plants generally found

in tropical countries such as India (Hooker, 1879). The distribution of the Cassia species all
around the globe can be seen in the table 1. Cassia species also finds various mentions in

ancient Ayurveda scriptures for its ability to treat various skin diseases such as scabies, ring
worms and eczema. According to Ayurveda the seeds and leaves of Cassia are ophthalmic,

anthelmintic, expectorant and acrid. Leaves and seeds have been extensively used in common
ailments such as constipation, cough etc. and in major diseases such as cardiac disorders and

leprosy (Kirtikar and Basu, 1975; Jain, 1968; Maitya et. al. 1997). The medicinal importance

of the seeds can be contributed to the presence of various anthraquinones (Shibata et. al.
1969).

Because of the high potential of the phytochemicals to be used as drug source for various
ailments it felt worthwhile to undertake this plant for research and analyze the phytochemical

constituent and perform various other pharmacological experiments. The plant extracts were
also tested for their hepatoprotective activity in vivo.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Plant sample collection and preparation
The plant sample i.e. seeds of Cassia tora were collected from the suburbs of the Bhopal city,

Madhya Pradesh and were verified by the Phytochemical department of Pinnacle Biomedical

Research Institute (PBRI), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The sample thus collected were
thoroughly washed in running water and dried in shade observing maximum precaution to

prevent the degradation of bioactive compounds due to sunlight as described by Harborne
(1973). After the samples were completely dried their powder was formed using mechanical

grinder and stored in an air tight container.

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