A comprehensive review on the pharmacological effect of Cassia fistula L.

Abstract

Cassia fistula, that is termed as the golden shower tree also and this serves as a medicinally significant tree that is used in conventional practices of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha [AYUSH]. The origin of the tree is Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, every part of this plant including the bark, leaves, flowers, fruit pulp, and seeds has been utilized to treat a wide range of diseases like gastrointestinal disturbances, skin disorders, diabetes and liver conditions. These traditional claims have been given very strong evidence by modern pharmacological studies. The plant is rich in different bioactive compounds that include flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, saponins, and phenolics, which validate strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. The extracts of different parts of the plant have proved to be effective in vitro and in vivo experiments, indicating their potential of therapeutic uses. The antioxidant ability assists in fighting oxidative stress whereas the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects indicate its great potential in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. In addition, C. fistula has hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective properties that present it as a good candidate in the management of metabolic disorders. The current review seeks to provide a comprehensive synthesis of available literature on the pharmacological properties of C. fistula and its therapeutic potential, their mechanisms of action and perspectives related to the use of the plant in the development of medicines based on natural products.