EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE DIVERSIFIED ACTION OF

CHAKRAMARDA(Cassia tora Linn.),

INTRODUCTION:
The flora of India is the richest in the world. There are estimated to be over 16,000 species of
flowering plants in India, which constitute about 6-7 % of total plant species in the world . Among
these plants, around 6000-7000 plants are estimated to have medicinal uses in folk medicine and for
preparation of medicines by Pharmaceutical industry. The rest of the plants and a few plant parts are
unexplored for their medicinal usage. As mentioned in Ashtanga Hrudaya “जगत्येवमनौषधं, न
किन्चिकिद्यते द्रव्यं वशान्नानार्थ योगयोोः” -every dravya can be used as medicine if used meticulously. One
such undiscovered plant part which is widely available, grows like a weed and traditionally practised
because of folklore claim is Chakramarda Pushpa, used as a strong stambhaka in atisaara.
On the other hand, we find reference in Charaka samhita about the anulomaka property of
Chakramarda Patra which is contradictory to the action of that of Chakramarda pushpa.
Single plant has multi-dimensional activities attributed to different parts. This nature of the plant is a
common observation. Two parts of the same plant possessing opposite activity is rare. For example:
Eranda mula- vrushya, Eranda beeeja- rechaka; Aragwadha phala- sramsana, Aragwadha pushpa-
grahi. The above said drugs are examples.
Atisaara has been mentioned in a separate chapter as a disease, which explains about the prevalence
and importance given to the disease even during that era1. Baddha mala causes pratiloma gati of vata
leading to diseases like swasa, kasa, rajayakshma, udavarta, grahani, pravahika, mootrakruchra, arsha
and many other harmful diseases1. Chakramarda patra is known for its Anulomana property and
Chakramarda pushpa has a strong folklore claim for its antidiarrheal activity. The anthraquinone
glycosides of Chakramarda leaves and seeds act as purgatives2. But Chakramarda flower property is
unexplored and the floklore claim had to be established. Hence to validate the activities of
Chakramarda patra and pushpa scientifically, a study was conducted under the heading “ An
experimental study on diversified action of Chakramarda (Cassia tora L.)” on experimental Wister
albino rats.

Charamarda(Cassia tora):
It is an annual weed growing as an undershrub. It is found as a weed throughout India.
Root: external surface is dark brown, inner surface is creamy
Stem: erect, circular, smooth, green when fresh but dark brown when dry, much branched, branches
arise at nodes spirally.
Leaves: compound, obovate-oblong, glaucous, glabrous more or less pubescent, base is somewhat
oblique, usually rounded. 6- 10 prominent veins, divergent venation.
Leaflet: 3 pairs ovate- oblong
Flowers: bright yellow, usually in pairs, axillary.
Pods: long slender, obliquely septate 1-25 cm long
Seed: rhombo- hedral. Green, 25-30

OBJECTIVES:
1) To evaluate the Anulomana property of Chakramarda (Cassia tora L) leaves experimentally.
2) To assess the Sthambhana property of Chakramarda (Cassia tora L) flowers experimentally.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study was delineated under three phases:
1. Preparation of the trial drugs and dosage
2. Pharmacognostic study
3. Experimental studies

1.Preparation of the trial drugs and dosage:

The drugs Chakramarda Pushpa and Patra were collected from FRLHT campus Bangalore.
Procured drugs were dried in shade and after drying were stored in airtight container for further use.
The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of both parts were obtained using standardised technique
suggested by Khandal (1992). The sukshma churna of both the parts were made.
The dosage of Kalka of Chakramarda leaves was calculated as per the standards mentioned in API as
3gms i.e.; Human dose X Body surface area ratio convertibility factor (5.3) = ‘x’ gms X wt of
rat÷1000 . Thus 3X5.3 ͠~ 16mg / kg body weight of rat.
The dose of ethanolic extract of Chakramarda leaf was fixed as 500mg/kg body weight orally
(Vijayalakshmi A, Madhira G 2014).
● The dose of control drug atropine is fixed as 1ml / kg body weight of Rat. i.p (Leng- Peshclow
1986)
● The dose of the control drug Castor oil is fixed as 1ml/rat orally (Iwao and Terada 1962)
● The dose of charcoal meal is fixed as 1ml/animal orally (Megnes AAHP et al 1989)
As no reference is available for the dosage of Chakramarda flowers the dosage was fixed by
conducting acute toxicity tests.
● The test for dosage fixation of flower extract was conducted in 3 animals with 3 doses 400
mg/kg body weight, 500mg/kg body weight and 1000 mg/kg body weight
● No death was observed even at the highest 1000 mg/kg body weight. No symptoms of toxicity
were elicited in any doses.
● Hence a pharmacological dose of flower extrcat was fixed as 500 mg/kg body weight
● The test for flower kalka was conducted in 3 animals with 3 doses 14mg/kg body weight, 16
mg/kg body weight, 18mg/kg body weight.
● Death was not observed in any of the doses and no toxicity symptoms were seen
● Hence the pharmacological dose of Chakramarda flower kalka was fixed 16mg/kg body
weight.
Preparation of Charcoal meal:
3% of deactivated charcoal in 2% gum acacia was prepared. In 10 ml of water 3 gm of deactivated
charcoal and 2 gm of gum acacia was added and charcoal meal was prepared.
Vehicle for administration of drug:
● 2% gum acacia solution was used as vehicle along with charcoal meal.
● Distilled water was a vehicle with the trial drugs.
Dosage form:
● Homogenous suspension was prepared by adding distilled water to the extract and triturated
well.
● As the drug could not be administered in the form of Kalka the Choorna of the drug was
mixed with distilled water and administered using Oral gavage
Route of administration
The drugs were administered orally through rat gavage needle no. 18
Preparation of rats:
● Wister albino rats of either sex were selected weighed and marked as head, body, tail, leg,
ear and without marking
● Male and female rats were kept in different cages.
● Rats were fasted for 18 hrs

2.Pharmacognostic evaluation:
The drug was evaluated for presence of organic and inorganic chemical constituents.
Macroscopic evaluation of colour, size and shape, taste, surface, odour and powder microscopy of
the Flower and Leaf sample was performed. Chromatographic studies TLC, HPTLC and HPLC were
conducted to evaluate the genuineness of the drug.

3.Experimental studies:

Groups Drug(For Laxative activity)

Group 1 Atropine +Charcoal suspension

Group 2 Atropine +Ethanolic leaf extract of

Cassia tora+ Charcoal suspension

Group 3 Atropine +Leaf Kalka (paste) of Cassia

tora+Charcoal suspension
Groups Drug(For Anti diarrheal activity)
Group 1 Castor oil + Charcoal suspension

Group 2 Castor oil + Ethanolic flower extract of

Cassia tora+ Charcoal suspension

Group 3 Castor oil + Flower kalka (Paste) of Cassia

tora+ Charcoal suspension

Charcoal meal GI transit test is used to study the laxative and anti-diarrheal activity. The propulsive
movement of charcoal is calculated. Studying peristalsis inhibition and stimulation by estimating the
gastro intestinal transit rate. Expressing the result as percentage of the longest distance traversed by
charcoal divided by the total length of the small intestine.

Procedure:
Gastro intestinal transit is tested for both Laxative and Anti-diarrheal activity
Duration:1 day per group. Total 6 days for 6 groups

Measurements:
After all the above procedures, the following steps were conducted.
● The abdomen was dissected and opened. Small intestine was separated from pyloric end till
cecum.
● The separated small intestine was placed on a filter paper
● The movement of the charcoal meal was measured using a measuring scale from pyloric end
till charcoal front
● The total length of small intestine was also measured from pyloric end till ceacal end.
Gastro intestinal transit rate is calculated using formula
Total length traversed by charcoal meal X100
Total length of small intestine
 SEPERATING SMALL INTESTINE

Results:

Powder microscopy:

Leaf Flower
Collenchymatous tissue, epidermal layer, fibres, Trichomes and starch grains, clustered calcium
parenchymatous tissue, stomata. Trichomes oxalate crystals, stone cells, abundant tannins,
(unicellular and warty), spiral vessels, pitted spiral vessels.
xylem vessles

Phytochemical analysis:

Leaf Flower
Alkoloids, flavanoids, tannins, carbohydrates, Carbohydrates, tannins, glycosides, phytosterols.
saponins, glycosides

Chromatographic analysis matched with the standards for quercitin.

Experimental study:

1. Laxative activity:
The charcoal meal traversed uniformly without any discontinuity.

2. Anti-diarrheal activity
The charcoal meal traversed with discontinuity in the intestinal movements.

1. Laxative activity:
Group 1: absence of peristalsis in the small intestine after injecting atropine

Group 2: small intestine containing fecal matter after and continuous movements of charcoal
meal

Group 3: increased volume of small intestine with fecal matter and continuous peristalsis

2. Anti-diarrheal activity:

Group 1: continuous movement of charcoal meal and thin intestinal thickness after feeding
castor oil
Group 2: discontinuous movements of charcoal meal showing the reduced peristalsis

Group 3: thinner small intestine with discontinuous charcoal meal movement

Statistical analysis:

Laxative activity:

Group 2 and 3 are statistically significant with P value 0.055+ in inducing Laxative activity with
semisolid stools and no watery stools

Comparing between group 2 and 3, group 2 showed almost same result but as the P value is 0.912 it
is statistically insignificant.

Anti-diarrheal activity:

Compared to Chakramarda flower alcoholic extract group and Chakramarda flower kalka group
extract group showed better result in reducing the intestinal motility.
The P value of extract group is 0.216 and of kalka group is 0.121 hence both extract group and
kalka group are statistically insignificant.

When the % traversed was compared between group 2 and 3, group 2 showed more reduction in
intestinal motility compared to group 3 but both are statistically insignificant as the P value is
0.164.

Discussion:

Mode of action of Chakramarda leaf and flower based on Rasapanchaka:

Anulomana of patra:
Chakramarda patra has madhura and amla rasa.1-19 ..Madhura rasa have vata hara property.1 In
vibandha there is vata vruddhi. Hence madhura rasa helps. Amla rasa is vatanulomaka1 which helps
in anulomana of mala. It has ushna veerya. For acting as anulomaka the drug should do mala
pachana and bhedana.5 Ushna helps in pachana of mala and bhedana3. Doshaghnata of Chakramarda
patra is vata hara1-19. The sara guna of Chakramarda patra acts on pittashaya causing pitta
anulomana.29 Thus the anulomana is observed.
The karma of Chakramarda patra is srushta vit and anulomana.1&15 Thus proves the action of
patra.
Stambhana of pushpa:

There is no reference mentioning the rasa pachaka of Chakramarda pushpa. Organoleptic analysis
of Chakramarda pushpa revealed the rasa was kashaya, tikta. Incidentally rasa of Avartaki pushpa, a
plant belonging to the same genus, has the same rasa tikta, kashaya as per classics15. Kashaya rasa is
vata kara, stambhaka, shoshaka, sandhaanakara1. Kashaya rasa is sheetha and ruksha1. All these
properties contribute to cause stambhana5.

Mode of action of Chakramarda leaf and flower as laxative and anti-diarrheal respectively:
Laxative activity:
To increase peristalsis movement a drug should possess the following features-
Bulk forming agents like fibres mucilage cellulose; mechanical irritants, Nerve stimulants, ions and
digestive enzymes.61Drug Cassia tora L leaves consists of fibres and mucilage as seen in the
powder microscopy. Leaves consist of ions like sodium and potassium which are responsible for
increased peristalsis. Stimulant laxatives stimulate the intestinal muscles to move the stool along.63
Cassia tora leaves consists of anthraquinone glycosides which act as stimulant laxatives and hence
the laxative activity of the drug is proved.65&66 The saponins and flavonoids present in the drug also
act as laxatives and enhance the property of leaf as laxative63
Anti-diarrheal activity:
To cause anti-diarrheal effect the following agents are needed- electrolytes, bulking agents,
absorbents, anti- inflammatory and anti-cholinergic67.Potassium and chlorides were present in the
flowers of Cassia tora L., which act as electrolytes there by replacing the lost fluids and salts during
diarrhea.67Fibres present in the flower act as bulking agents and absorbent, which control the
intestinal output and absorb the toxic substances, thereby reduce diarrhea.68The peristalsis
movement in the anti-diarrheal activity group was discontinuous. The reason being the presence of
tannins in the flower which acts as adsorbent, astringent thus reducing the intestinal irritation64.
They also act as anti cholinergic by reducing the small intestinal secretion, retard the enzyme
secretion, inhibiting the peristalsis thus acting as anti- diarrheal.64 The appreciable anti-diarrheal
activity could not be elicited in this experimental model where the only parameter was to note the
charcoal meal movement. The following might be the reasons-
In folklore practice the drug was given in fresh form. The experimental study was conducted with
the drug in the dried form.Tannins were found in powder microscopy. The experiment was
conducted using alcoholic extract of the drug and the desired effect was not observed. Absence of
tannins in the extract might be the reason. The kalka form of Cassia tora L flower was prepared
using distilled water and was given orally to the rats. Even though the kalka must contain tannins as
revealed by powder microscopy, the drug was allowed to act for 1 hr only before giving the
charcoal meal. Since the drug directly gets absorbed in the alcoholic extractive form and acts faster
compared to aqueous form, lesser time given for kalka absorption might be one of the reasons. But
the analytical study conducted in this research work showed the presence of Kashaya rasa and
tannins, suggesting that the drug may be an anti-diarrheal, which needs further complete other
investigations in this regard.

Conclusion:
The rasapanchaka of Chakramarda patra supports its activity as laxative. Phytochemical analysis of
Chakramarda Patra confirms the presence of glycosides, saponins and flavonoids which act as
laxatives. Hence proving the action. The experimental study showed statistically significant result in
increasing the Gastrointestinal transit rate, thus confirming the laxative activity of Cassia tora L
leaves. The organoleptic analysis of Chakramarda pushpa revealed Kashaya rasa which suggests its
activity towards anti diarrheal. In powder microscopy tannins were detected, which says that it is a
drug rich in tannins which also gives us a clue towards its stambhaka activity.The Cassia tora L
flower administered for anti-diarrheal activity on this particular animal model did not reveal
statistically significant result. The presence of tannins and kashaya rasa in the fresh drug suggests
that, the drug must be used in the fresh form as per folklore claim.

1.Agnivesha. Charaka samhita- Agnivesha treatise refined and annoted by Charaka, redacted by
Dridhabala Ayurveda Deepika commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya
. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Prakashana; reprint 2011, Tpg:738.

2. CASSIA TORA LINN.: AN OVERVIEW, PAWAR, Harshal A; D'mello, Priscilla M. International

journal of pharmaceutical sciences and research; Jhansi
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