Comparative phytochemical and anti-oxidant (in vitro) assessment of different aerial parts viz. leaves, bark and pods of Cassia fistula

Cassia fistula, also known as Indian Laburnum, is found throughout Asia including India. It is a medicinal plant of great importance because of its power of healing countless disorders. The work presented in this paper is performed keeping in mind the high therapeutic value of C. fistula. For achieving this objective, methanol extract of different parts viz. bark, pods and leaves of C. fistula were prepared and subjected to antioxidant assay employing in-vitro hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay and reducing power assay. Methanol extract of the pods showing maximum anti-oxidant activity was used for isolation of bioactive compounds namely Rhein, Emodin and Chrysophanic acid (anthraquinones), Catechin (tannin) and Luteolin (flavonoid).