Cassiae semen: A review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology

Dong, Xiaoxv; Fu, Jing; Yin, Xingbin; Yang, Chunjing; Zhang, Xin; Wang, Wenping; Du, Xueying; Wang, Qingling; Ni, Jian

A number of studies have investigated the effective constituents of Cassiae semen from different batches and geographical areas. HPLC-fingerprint chromatography is a common method to compare the differences (108-111). Zhang et al (3) developed a sensitive and reliable ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method to evaluate the quality of Cassiae semen through simultaneous determination of 13 components, providing a novel basis for the overall assessment of the quality of this plant. In addition, a novel nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis method was used for the analysis of aurantio-obtusin, emodin and rhein in Cassiae semen with satisfactory results (112) . Yang et al (113) was the first to simultaneously determine 7 anthraquinones in rat plasma by UHPLC-MS/MS following oral administration of Cassiae semen extract. These results may support investigations into the bioactivity mechanism and clinical application of this drug (113) . Anthraquinones and naphthopyrones are considered to be the major constituents. Therefore, characteristic compounds or a biological index should be established to evaluate the quality and ensure their clinical application is suitable. In the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, chrysophanol and aurantio-obtusin are used as the indicator compounds to characterize the quality of Cassiae semen with the minimum contents of 0.20 and 0.080%, respectively (1).