Isolation of growth inhibitory factor (CA-I) of albino rats from Cassia alata L. Leaves: Effect of season

Abstract

By solvent extraction, acid hydrolysis, chromatography followed by crystallization, a compound (CA-I) was isolated from the leaves of Cassia alata L. The compound could inhibit growth of rats. Growth inhibition was in terms of body weight reduction. Reduction of body weight of the rats by this compound started right from 10th day but significant reduction was observed from 20th day onwards. Effect of seasons on the amount of isolated compound (CA-I) from C. alata L. leaves was also studied. Results showed that leaves of C.alata L. for the months of  July and August yielded maximum amount of the compound.