ABSTRACT
The genus Senna (=Cassia) belongs to the family of Fabaceae (Leguminosae) and comprises about 250 to 300 plant species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The species of Senna are traditionally used by people in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin American countries, which are having therapeutic values and as traditional medicine to treat diabetes, microbial infections, malaria fever, and other ailments. This review was brought out to make a comprehensive assessment of available literature via major scientific catalogues. The plant parts of the genus Senna contain important metabolites, such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, and volatile oils. Display of pharmacological activities like antidiabetic, antigonorrhea, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipyretic, antinociceptive, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory activities could be due to the presence of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, and volatile oils. The review brings out the botanical, traditional uses, phytochemical, pharmacological studies of the genus Senna, and their applications in treatment of malarial diseases.
