Quantitative Evaluation of the Antipsoriatic Activity of Flavonoids from Cassia tora Linn. Leaves

The plant Cassia tora L. (Caesalpiniaceae) is traditionally claimed to be useful in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases. In the previous work, three flavonoids viz quercetin-3-O-beta-d-glucuronide (I), luteolin-7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (II) and formononetin-7-O-beta-Dglucoside (III) were isolated from Cassia tora leaves. As an extension of work, the present study aimed to evaluate antipsoriatic activity of these flavonoids using in vitro and in vivo model. In vitro antiproliferant assay of the ethanol extract and isolated flavonoids was done on HaCaT cell lines. Mouse tail test was used for the evaluation of antipsoriatic activity of ethanol extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.) and bioactive flavonoids (50 mg/kg b.w.) in Swiss albino mice. Maximum antiproliferant activity was shown by isolated flavonoids II and III (58.65 and 87.74 mu g/ml) in HaCaT cell inhibition assay. In mouse tail model, a significant reduction in epidermal thickness and significant orthokeratosis with respect to control was observed in groups treated with ethanol extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) and isolated flavonoids II, III. From the above data, the flavonoid II (luteolin-7-O-beta-glucopyranoside) showed maximum antiproliferant activity and significant orthokeratosis. This study suggests the potential antipsoriatic activity of the flavonoids of Cassia tora and a need for studies to understand the mechanism of action.