Planta Med 2009; 75 - PJ150
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234955

A new flavonoid from Cassia bicapsularis

A Said 1, M Aboulfotouh 2, M Sobhi 3, R Fikry 4
  • 1National Research Center, Pharmacognosy Dept., Dokki, Giza, Egypt
  • 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy Dept., Cairo University, Egypt
  • 3National Research Center, Chemistry of Tannins and Leather Technology Dept., Dokki, Giza, Egypt
  • 4National Research Center, Chemistry of Natural Compounds Dept., Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Genus Cassia is considered one of the most important genera of family Leguminosae [1]. It was reported to contain flavonoids, anthraquinones, triterpenes, sterols and carbohydrates [2]. Cassia bicapsularis L. is a semi-evergreen shrub native to South America [3]. We studied the phenolics of the hydroalcoholic extract of C. bicapsularis flowers and we isolated 11 compounds: kaempferol 8-O-methyl ether, vanillic acid, rutin 4'-O -glucopyranoside, rutin, isorhamnetin 3-O-galactopyranoside, isoquercitrin, hyprin, luteolin 7-O-glucopyranoside, luteolin 4'-O-galactopyranoside, luteolin 3'-O-β-galactopyranoside and a new flavonoid 8-methoxy kaempferol 3-O-glucopyranosyl(1'''→2'')-glucopyranoside. LD50 tests showed that C. bicapsularis L. hydroalcoholic flowers' extract was non toxic up to 5g/kg which is the maximum soluble dose. It possessed a significant anti-inflammatory activity on the carrageenan induced paw edema at a dose of 1000mg/kg, compared with indomethacin which was given as reference drug at a dose of 25mg/kg.

References: [1] Polhill, R.M., Raven, P.H. (1981) Advances in Legume systematics. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

[2] Anu, S.J. and Rao, J.M. (2002) Phytochemistry 59:425–427.

[3] Wiggins, I.L., Porter, D.M. (1971) Flora of the Galapàgos, Stanford University Press.