Potentials of Senna tora (L.) Roxb. as Source of Functional Food and Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Abstract

Senna tora (L.) Roxb. is an important ethno-medicinal plant from time immemorial. Different parts of the plant have found applications in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. There is a reputation for the food application and therapeutic properties of the plant’s leaves and seeds. The purpose of this review is to ascertain the potential of Senna tora (L.) Roxb. as a source of functional food as well as drug candidates against oxidants, inflammation, and microbial infection. Based on the previous literature, the discoveries of bioactive compounds including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides and reducing sugar seem to rationalize the proposed use of Senna tora (L.) Roxb. as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable or cook with pulses while the roasted seeds are used as a substitute coffee, also, the seed gums are used as thickener in foods. It can be concluded that Senna tora (L.) Roxb. is rich in numerous bioactive compounds that have the potential to fight against oxidants, inflammation, and microbial infection as potential drug candidates. In addition due to its numerous bioactive compounds, Senna tora can find profound application in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals.