ACUTE TOXICITY AND HIGH PERFORMANCE THIN LAYER CHROMOTOGRAPHY STUDY OF CASSIA AURICULATA FLOWERS

Cassia auriculata plant belonging to Fabaceae grows on black cotton soil and dry stony ground throughout the savannah and thorn forests of the Deccan and Guzerat, also in the Southern Mahratta country and the Latteriate region along the sea coast. It has great importance to tanner and workers. Tea and compound syrup prepared from flowers is being prescribed for diabetes, nocturnal emissions and inflammation. The methanolic extract of Cassia auriculata flowers (MECA) was screened for acute toxicity at three different doses levels and it did not show any toxic or deleterious effects for any of the symptoms as per OECD guidelines indicating low toxicity of the extract at high doses. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic studies of the extract revealed the presence of rutin in minute amounts proving its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Thus, the studies enlighten the flowers seems to high content of flavanoids and bioflavonoids.