Probing the chemical constituents of Cassia javanica and its in vitro analyses as a potent drug

The phytochemical screening of the crude methanolic stem extracts of Cassia javanica plant showed the presence of different classes of organic compounds like alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phlobatanins, steroids, anthraquinone and cardiac glycoside. The starching frequencies of these functional groups were determined from FT-IR spectroscopic data. The crude and their fractions were examined for antibacterial potential against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. The antibacterial assay showed maximum zone of inhibition for ethyl acetate fraction, i.e. 20 mm against Proteus mirabilis and 18 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae in the comparison with Levofloxacin used as standard (40 mm). Meanwhile for methanolic crude extract, the inhibition zone was recorded 14 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae and 22 mm against Proteus mirabilis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations were recorded as 187.5 µg ml^-1 against Proteus mirabilis and 93.75 µg ml^-1 against Klebsiella pneumoniae. The scavenging free radical assay was noted as 69.61% at the concentration of 100 ppm.

Anti-Oral Pathogens of Tecoma stans (L.) and Cassia javanica (L.) Flower Volatile Oils in Comparison with Chlorhexidine in Accordance with Their Folk Medicinal Uses

Background and Objectives: Teeth decay and plaque are complicated problems created by oral pathogens. Tecoma stans (L.) and Cassia javanica (L.) are two ornamental evergreen plants widely distributed in Egypt. These plants are traditionally used for oral hygienic purposes. This study aims to elucidate the volatile oil constituents obtained from the flowers of these plants and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of these volatile oils against specific oral pathogens in comparison to chlorhexidine. Materials and Methods: The flowers obtained from both plants were extracted by n-hexane. GC-MS spectrometry was used to identify the constituents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were measured using tetrazolium salt (2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) (XTT). Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 32 and 29 compounds, representing 100% of the volatile constituents of Tecoma stans and Cassia javanica, respectively. The GC-MS analysis showed more than 60% of the volatile oil constituents are represented in both plants with different proportions. Chlorhexidine exerted stronger activity than tested plants against all microorganisms. Cassia javanica flower extract was more active against all tested microorganisms than Tecoma stans. Of note was the effect on Streptococcus mutans, which was inhibited by 100% at 12.5 and 25 µg/mL of Cassia javanica and Tecoma stans, respectively. The growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus was also completely inhibited by 25 µg/mL of the Cassia javanica extract. MIC90 and MIC were also calculated, which revealed the superiority of Cassia javanica over Tecoma stans against all tested oral pathogens. Conclusion: Cassia javanica flower volatile oils showed a potential anti-oral pathogen activity at relatively low concentrations. Also, Cassia javanica and Tecoma stans demonstrated a strong activity against tooth decay's notorious bacteria Streptococcus mutans. Both plants can be potential substituents to chlorhexidine. Formulating the constituents of these plants in toothpastes and mouthwashes as anti-oral pathogen preparations can be an interesting future plan.