CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF Cassia absus

Abstract

The seed oil of Cassia absus (family fabaceae is being used in Ayurvedic medical system to treat the decease Vitiligo. The plant is found in Sri Lanka at few locations and has no commercial value .The seeds of Cassia absus is being imported from India for the extraction of the oil for the remedies. The decease Vitiligo is caused by the inhibition of melanin synthesis in melonocytes by an enzyme. Since the biological activity of the plant has not been yet properly investigated and having many important uses in the ayurvadic system, we thought of studying the Chemical composition and biological activity of the seed oil. Later the plant Psoralia corylifolia was also found to contain psoralens, which are believed to be the active compounds against the decease Vitiligo. Therefore in this study a series of Chemical investigations were conducted to detect the presence of several different classes of Chemical compound such as Alkaloids,sterols, triterpens and polyphenols. And the presence of psoralene was ruled out. As such the plant should contain other active ingredients, which is given time frame.