Publication:

Evaluation of anti-lipoxygenase activity of Cassia fistula linn leaves using in vitro methods

Background Numerous plants are claimed to possess anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents in folk medicine, however, one among them is Cassia fistula linn leaves. The tree is 6-9 m high with straight trunk and smooth bark. It is pale green when young and gets rough and dark when old. The leaves are 23-30cm long and have got 4-8 pairs of oblong leaflets. Due to lack of specific scientific reports regarding its use for its anti-lipoxygenase property, this particular plant was selected for this particular study with the aim to bring scientific evidence for its therapeutic use.

Methods The anti-lipoxygenase study as carried by using 5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX) assay and 12-lipoxygenase(12-LOX) assay. In both the methods, absorbance of various concentrations of the tests and the control solutions were measured at 234nm.

Results Preliminary phytochemical study showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and phenolics. It was found that both the 5-LOX and 12-LOX were inhibited by the extract with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.23mg/ml obtained for the 5-LOX assay and an IC50 of 3.22mg/ml attained for the 12-LOX assay.

Conclusions The methanolic extract of the plant’s leaves showed anti-lipoxygenase activity similar to Indomethacin, thus ensuring that it could be used as an effective anti-inflammatory medicine.