Authors : R.G. Ayo and J.O. Amupitan
Abstract: Phytochemical tests of the extracts of the leaves of Cassia nigricans Vahl revealed the presence of carbohydrates (reducing and combined sugar, starch), glycosides (anthraquinone, cardiac and saponin types); flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenenes. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and chloroform extracts of the leaves showed that the extracts were highly cytotoxic. The results of Finney Computer Programme calculations of LC50 (lower-upper limits) of the extracts in the solvents were 149.57 (66.86-243.75), 42.77 (11.80-72.94), 26.91 (3.09-52.64), 11.064(0.052-40.39), respectively at 95% confidence intervals and 3 degrees of freedom. The extracts of the leaves of Cassia nigricans contain biologically active compounds, which may be of potential use in the therapy and prophylactics of plant, livestock and human diseases.
R.G. Ayo and J.O. Amupitan , 2007. Phytochemical and Cytototoxic Screening of the Leaves of Cassia nigricans Vahl. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 69-71.