Botanical study, polyphenol quantification and biological activity of Cassia fistula FLOWER EXTRACTS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Cassia fistula is widely distributed in Vietnam; however, studies on the botany, chemical composition, and biological activities of its flowers remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the botanical characteristics, conduct a preliminary phytochemical screening, and evaluate the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of C. fistula flowers. Microscopic anatomical features were observed using a double-staining method. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using a modified Cuiley method. Total polyphenol content was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Antioxidant activity was evaluated based on DPPH free radical scavenging assay, while
α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was assessed according to the method of Hua Qiang Dong (2012).The results revealed that C. fistula possesses characteristic botanical and chemical features of the genus Cassia, family Caesalpinioideae. The polyphenol content decreased in the order: FICF70 (26,29 ± 0,07 mg GAE/g dry material), FICF50 (24,02 ± 0,10 mg GAE/g dry material), FICF00 (23,63 ± 0,26 mg GAE/g dry material), and FICF96 (11,10 ± 0,25 mg GAE/g dry material). The DPPH assay showed that antioxidant activity followed the same decreasing order: FICF70 > FICF50 > FICF00 > FICF96. All extracts demonstrated significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with FICF96, FICF70, and FICF50 showing similar IC₅₀ values, all lower than that of the aqueous extract. These findings provide additional scientific data on C. fistula flowers and contribute to enhancing the therapeutic potential of Vietnamese medicinal plants.
Keywords
α-glucosidase, Cassia fistula, DPPH, plant microtechnique, polyphenols
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
Bahorun,T., Neergheen, V. S., and Aruoma, O. I. (2005). Phytochemical constituents of Cassia fistula. African Journal of Biotechnology, 4(13), 1530-1540. Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB
Bhalodia, N. R., Acharya, R., & Shukla, V. J. (2011). Evaluation of in vitro Antioxidant Activity of hydroalcoholic seed extratcs of Cassia fistula Linn. Free Radicals and Antioxidants, 1, 68-76. https://doi.org/10.5530/ax.2011.1.11
Bộ Y Tế (2017). Dược điển Việt Nam V, tập 2. Hà Nội: NXB Y học.
Ciulei, I. (1982). Methodology for Analysis of Vegetable Drugs. Practical Manual on the Industrial Utilisation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Bucharest. Romania, 1-62.
Chaerunisaa, A Y., Susilawatib, Y., Muhaiminc, M., Milandab, T., Hendrianid, R., and Subarnasd, A. (2020). Antibacterial activity and subchronic toxicity of Cassia fistula L. barks in rats. Toxicology Reports, 7, 649-657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.04.013
Danish, M., Singh, P., Mishra, G., Srivastava, S., Jha, K. K., and Khosa, R. L. (2011). Cassia fistula Linn. (Amulthus)-An Important Medicinal Plant: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties. Journal of Natural Product and Plant Resources, 1(1), 101-118. Available online at www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com
Duraipandiyan, V., Baskar, A. A., Ignacimuthu, S., Muthukumar, C., & Al-Harbi, N. A. (2012). Anticancer activity of Rhein isolated from Cassia fistula L. flower. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 2(1), 517-523. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2222-1808(12)60213-8
Đỗ, H. B., Đặng, Q. C., Bùi, X. C., Nguyễn, T. D., Đỗ, T. Đ., Phạm, V. H., Vũ, N. L., Phạm, D. M., Phạm, K. M., Đoàn, T. N., Nguyễn, T., & Trần, T. (2006). Cây thuốc và động vật làm thuốc ở Việt Nam tập I. Hà Nội: NXB Khoa Học Kỹ Thuật.
Einstein, J. W., Rais, M. M., and Mohd, M. A. (2012). Comparative Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Effects of Different Parts of Cassia fistula Linn, a Southeast Asian Plant. Journal of Chemistry, 2013, ID 714063 https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/714063
Hua, Q. D., Mei, L., Feng, Z., Fu, L., Liu, J., & Bo, H. (2012). Inhibitory potential of trilobatin from Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd against α-glucosidase and α-amylase linked to type 2 diabetes. Food Chemistry, 130, 261-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.07.030
Irshad, M. A., Zafaryab, M., Singh, M., & Rizvi, A. M. (2012). Comparative Analysis of the Antioxidant Activity of Cassia fistula Extracts. International Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/157125
Kaji, N. N., Khorana, M. L., and Sanghavi, M. M. (1968). Studies on Cassia fistula Linn. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 30, 8-11.
Kushwaha, M., and Agrawal, R. C. (2012). Biological activity of medicinal plant Cassia fistula – A review. Journal of Scientific Research in Pharmacy, 1(3), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18492.44167
Maqsood, A., Munir, A., & Shahid, S. (2020). A Phytopharmacological Evaluation of Cassia fistula A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 9, 45-53. https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2019/8.6.4734
Marinova, D., Ribarova, F., & Atanassova, M. (2005). Total phenolics and total flavonoids in Bulgarian fruits and vegetables. Journal of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 40(3), 255 – 260.
Morimoto, S., Nonaka, G., and Chen, R. (1988). Tannins and related compounds. LXI. Isolation andstructures of novel bi-andtriflavonoids from the leaves of Cassia fistula L. Chem.Pharmacol. Bull. 36, 39-47.
Sayeed, M. A., Ali M. A., Khan G. R. M. A. M., and Rahman, M. S. (1999). Studies on the characterization and glyceride composition of Cassia fistula seed oil. Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 34, 144-148.
Sharma, D.K. (2017). Enumerations on phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical properties of Cassia fistula Linn: yellow shower. The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 6(5), 300-306. https://doi.org/10.31254/phyto.2017.6509
Tanveer, S., Latif, A., Ashiq, K., Qayyum, M., & Bajwa, M. A. (2019). A comprehensive review on pharmacological and phytoschemical potential of Cassia fistula linn: a magical herb. International Journal of Biology, Pharmacy and Allied Scienes, 8(6), 1134-1151. https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2019/8.6.4734
Trần H. (2017). Phương Pháp Nghiên Cứu Dược Liệu. Đại học Y Dược Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Viện Dược liệu, 2006. Phương pháp nghiên cứu tác dụng dược lý của thuốc từ dược thảo. Hà Nội: NXB Khoa học và Kỹ thuật.
Wojdyło, A., Oszmiański, J., & Czemerys, R. (2007). Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in 32 selected herbs. Food Chemistry, 105(3), 940-949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.04.038
Yadav, R. N. S., & Agarwala, M. (2011). Phytochemical analysis of some medicinal plants. Journal of Phytology, 3(12), 10-14.
Pawar, A. V., Patil, S.J., and Killedar, S. G. (2017). Uses of Cassia Fistula Linn as a Medicinal Plant. International Journal of Advance Research and Development. 2(3), 85-91. Available online at www.ijarnd.com
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Huynh Vu Thanh Luong, Le Thanh Phu, MSc Ngoc Yen Nguyen, PhD Duy Toan Pham, Utilizing silica from rice husk ash to synthesize NaX zeolite for adsorbing Cr(VI) ions from water , Dong Thap University Journal of Science: Vol. 14 No. 5 (2025): Natural Sciences Issue (English)
- Duy Toan Pham, Quang Phuc Luu, Ngoc Yen Nguyen, Huynh Vu Thanh Luong, Extraction of fibroin and formulation of biocompatible microparticles from silk cocoons harvested in Da Lat, Vietnam , Dong Thap University Journal of Science: Vol. 14 No. 8 (2025): Natural Sciences Issue (Vietnamese)
- Duy Toan Pham, Ngoc Yen Nguyen, Thi Tu Suong Nguyen, Huynh Vu Thanh Luong, In-vitro evaluations of the stability, mucoadhesiveness, and biological compatibility of fibroin nanopaticles derived from Nam Dinh silk , Dong Thap University Journal of Science: Vol. 14 No. 04S (2025): Special Issue of Mekong Delta Natural Science Conference