CASSIA FISTULA IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE: PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING, THERAPEUTIC USES AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Medicinal plants have played a pivotal role in the origin and advancement of traditional herbal medicine systems worldwide. Species belonging to the genus Cassia are of considerable therapeutic importance due to their rich phytochemical diversity and wide range of pharmacological activities. These plants contain numerous bioactive secondary metabolites, including tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, oxyanthraquinones, carbohydrates, and fatty acids, which contribute to their therapeutic efficacy. Cassia fistula Linn., commonly known as the Golden Shower tree, is one of the most extensively used medicinal plants in Ayurvedic, Unani, and other traditional medicine systems. Native to India and widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, C. fistula has been traditionally employed for the management of gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, liver ailments, respiratory disorders, fever, rheumatism, and metabolic diseases. Various plant parts, including the leaves, roots, bark, flowers, fruits, and seeds, have been reported to exhibit laxative, purgative, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifertility, and wound-healing properties. Experimental studies further indicate its effectiveness against bacterial infections, hypercholesterolaemia, and oxidative stress, along with notable hypoglycaemic and central nervous system activities. Despite its long-standing traditional use and documented biological potential, many of the therapeutic claims associated with Cassia fistula require systematic clinical validation. This review critically compiles and evaluates available literature on the phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal uses, and pharmacological properties of Cassia fistula, highlighting its therapeutic relevance and identifying gaps for future scientific research.