This study was performed to evaluate the biological activity and protective effect of Cassia tora ethanol extracts against D-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped into normal group, D-galactosamine treated group(control), D-galactosamine plus 0.25% Cassia tora extracts treated group and D-galactosamine plus 0.5% Cassia tora extracts treated group. Normal and control group were fed control diet and Cassia tora extracts treated groups were fed experimental diets containing 0.25% or 0.5% Cassia tora ethanol extracts for 5 weeks. Body weight gain and liver weight of rats were not significantly different between groups. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in serum and liver were significantly lower in rats treated only with D-galactosamine compared to normal group, and improved in Cassia tora extracts supplemented rats. D-galactosamine treatment significantly increased serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase, however, the activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly decreased in Cassia tora extracts supplemented rats when compared with D-galactosamine treated control group. Cassia tora extracts significantly suppressed the D-galactosamine-induced elevation of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) contents. Superoxide dismutase activity was decreased by D-galactosamine treatment, however by the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts, significantly increased in dose-dependent manner. Glutathione peroxidase activity in rats fed diets containing Cassia tora extracts was decreased compared to control. Based on these results, we concluded that Cassia tora ethanol extracts may prevents the D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity probably via an antioxidant mechanism.

The desmutagenic activity of the water extract of Cassia tora L on the mutagenicity induced by 4- nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) and N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguani-dine (MNNG) was studied using the SOS Chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. The inhibition rates of water extract of Cassia tora L. at concentration of 100 μg/assay were 27.5% and 40% against 4-NQO and MNNG. The water extract of Cassia tora L. was separated into methanol soluble and methanol insoluble parts. The methanol soluble part exhibited higher inhibition effects than the methanol insoluble part against the mutagenic activities of 4-NQO and MNNG. Step-wise fractionation of methanol soluble part was done to obtain methanol, ethyl acetate and water fractions. Among these fractions, water fraction had the strongest inhibitory effects of 23.0 and 19.0% against mutagenicities of MNNG and 4NQO, repectively. The results clearly indicated that the water fraction showed much stronger antimutagenicity against MNNG than 4NQO. The inhibition rates of aqueous fraction of methanol-soluble from water extracted Cassia tora L. at concentrations of 1.0 10, 100 and 250 μg/assay were 8.0%, 12.0%, 25.5% and 43.0%, respectively. The water fraction showed the inhibitory effects with dose response against the mutagenic activities induced by MNNG.

The antioxidative, radical scavenging and cyto-protective effects of Cassia torn L. seeds and it major component, nor-rubrofusarin-6-β-D-glucoside (nor-rubrofusarin), were studied to evaluate their inhibitory activity against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. 70% ethanol extract of Cassia tora L. seeds and nor-rubrofusarin also were tested for the evaluation of anticlastogenicity against mitomycin C-induced micronucleated reticulocytes in mouse peripheral blood. The extract of Cassia tora seeds and nor-rubrofusarin showed an antioxidative effect on the lipid peroxidation of ethyl linoleate with Fenton's reagent and free radical scavenging effect to DPPH radical generation, respectively. They showed a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in CHL cells. The extract of Cassia tora L. seeds and nor-rubrofusarin showed a strong anticlastogenicity against mitomycin C-induced micronuclei formation. Results from our study indicate that the extract of Cassia tora L. seeds and nor-rubrofusarin are capable of protecting the lipid peroxidation, free radical generation and cytotoxicity induced by reactive oxygen species. They also have an anticlastogenicity toward DNA crosslinking agent like mitomycin C.

Background: Cassia tora L., an annual or perennial plant of the Fabaceae family, is traditional medicine with various biological activities, including anti-constipation and, anti-inflammation. Chemical compounds such as anthraquinone glycoside and naphthalene derivatives have been isolated from this plant. Cassia tora L. is a common contaminant of agricultural commodities, but is toxic to cattle and poultry. Methods and Results: To investigate the potential toxicity, Cassia tora L. aqueous extract (CO) was administered orally to rats for 26 weeks at 0 (control), 300, 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day (n = 10 for male rats for each dose). The positive control comprised animals orally administered anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. There was no treatment-related mortality. An increase in the kidney weight was observed at 3,000㎎/㎏/day of CO and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. Macrophage infiltration in the colon was observed at CO 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day, but there were no significant toxicological changes in the incidence and severity of the finding. Conclusions: The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CO was 3,000㎎/㎏/day in male rats and no target organs were identified. In addition, 300㎎/㎏ was found to be the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for systemic toxicity under the conditions of the study.

Background: Constipation is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. The present study examined the ability of water extract of fermented (FRC) and non-fermented (NFRC) roasted Cassia tora to improve intestinal function and reduce constipation in a rat constipation model.Methods and Results:Different concentration of FRC and NFRC were orally administered loperamide (5 ㎎/㎏; LOP) reduced the number, weight, and water content of feces, as well as intestinal transit motility. However, 24 h-(24 hour fermented roasted-Cassia tora) 300 ㎎/㎏ FRC administration increased the number, weight, and water concent of feces, compared to that seen in the LOP group, and also improve intestinal transit mitility and, the thickness of distal colon and mucous fluid.Conclusions:The results of the present study indicated that LOP-induced constipation was improved by treatment with FRC. Therefore FRC could be used to develop functional foods or natural medicine for constipation. However, further study is needed to clarify how fermentation improves the medicinal properties of roasted C. tora.