Abstract:

Senna alata is an ornamental flowering plant also known as ringworm bush and candle bush belongs to Leguminaceae family and used mainly as antifungal agent .The plant is pharmacological significant and used as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-mutagenic, antifungal, anti-diabetic and antiviral activities. Leaves of the plant have anti-parasitic activity used in treatment of eczema, ringworm, asthma, bronchitis and in poisonous insect bites, bark of the plant is used in treatment of skin diseases. In the present study chloroform, methanol, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts were used for phytochemical analysis, TLC profiling and antioxidant activity of Senna alata. The phytochemical analysis of Senna alata indicated presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides and quinones in Senna alata. In TLC analysis maximum 6 bands were found in leaf extract, 5 bands in stem extract and 4 bands were found in root methanol extract. The plant showed good antioxidant activity in methanol and aqueous based leaf, stem and root extract which may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The plant has potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties so characterization of bioactive molecules of the plant should be beneficial for formulation of drugs. 

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