The anti-inflammatory effects of Cassia alata leaf extract were investigated on complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritic rats. The extract from the leaves was able to significantly reduce the swelling observed in the knee joint. It was also able to effectively protect the articular cartilage from degradation as well as limit the number of differential leukocytes entering the synovial cavity during inflammation. Cassia alata possesses potent anti-inflammatory effects and should undergo further investigations of these properties.

The cytotoxic effect of a hexane extract of Cassia alata (C alata) leaves in parental and Caspase 8, 3 and 9 negative A549 lung cancer cells was evaluated after a 24-hour treatment period. C alata extract was cytotoxic in parental and caspase-9 negative, but not caspase 3 and 8 negative A549 cells. The IC50 values were 143 μg/ml and 145 μg/ml in parental and caspase 9 negative A549 cells respectively. The flavanoid kaempferol was identified as a constituent of C alata leaf extract. These results suggest a cytotoxic effect of C alata that is dependent on caspase 8.