Abstract

BARRESE PEREZ, Yinet; HERNANDEZ JIMENEZ, María Elena  and  GARCIA PULPEIRO, Oscar. Characterization and phytochemical study of Cassia alata L. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2005, vol.10, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1028-4796.

A phytochemical study of alcoholic, ethereal and aqueous extracts from Cassia alata L. was performed to expand the scientific knowledge about the components of these extracts that may be useful for possible manufacture of pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the characterization of the fluid extract and the raw drug was made to set their quality indexes. For obtaining the samples, consecutive extractions using solvents of different polarities were made; in the case of fluid extract, 30 % ethanol was used as menstruum, raw drug was obtained by grinding dry leaves of the plant in a blade and hammer mill. For phytochemical screening, simple and rapid techniques requiring minimal equipment and selective techniques for certain compounds were used. The assays described in the Branch Standard of the Ministry of Public Health were applied to characterization. It was detected that there were tanins in the aqueous extract and quinones in the alcoholic extract. The quality indexes for raw drug and the fluid extract were within the ranges set for plant drugs and may serve as a reference to those plants to be harvested under conditions similar to those of this study. The high diversity of existing chemical compounds in Cassia alata L. was demonstrated, which supports the use of this extract in curing several illnesses.

Keywords : Cassia alata L; phytochemical study; extracts; raw drug; variability; analytical assays.

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