Exploring the therapeutic potential of Cassia species on metabolic syndrome: A comprehensive review

In tropical and subtropical region, Cassia (Fabaceae) is widely distributed, and many species of this genus are used for medicinal purposes such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes in China and India. However, there are limited reviews describing the biological activity on metabolic syndrome associated with Cassia species. Online databases including SciFinder, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, ACS Journals, Springer, Tailor & Francis, Wiley, The Plant List Database, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were consulted by using “ Cassia ”, “决明属( Cassia )”, “ Senna ”, “ethnobotany”, “traditional use”, “ethnomedicine”, “phytochemistry”, “Lipid Metabolism”, “metabolic syndrome”, “anti-obesity”, “anti-diabetes” and “anti- hyperlipidemia” as keywords. Extracts, a total of 23 non-volatile natural products and one peptide from 18 Cassia species have demonstrated efficacy in treating metabolic syndrome and related complications. Sixty-five commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation with ingredients of Cassia seeds or Senna leaves showed effects on MetS. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the chemical constituents and medicinal properties of the ethnomedicinally important Cassia species on metabolic syndrome and related complications such as hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes etc. Overall, most publications focused on species of C. angustifolia, C. auriculate, C. fistula, C. glauca, and C. obtusifolia. It is not fully understood how chemical compounds interact with the corresponding target proteins. In spite of this, preliminary data from other Cassia species indicate the potential of this genus for research on metabolic syndrome, both phytochemically, pharmacologically and clinical uses of C. species.