Scientists have used
quantitative analysis methods to identify a seed extract with pathogen inhibitive qualities.
In the study by Vinayak Tripathi, Shailendra Kumar and Satyendra Garg, published by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Cassia tora, also known as Senna tora, was found to be a proteinaceous protease inhibitor.
Proteases are a key factor in many human, plant and insect pathogens, with inhibitors creating the potential for therapeutic treatment from viral, bacterial, fungal diseases and physiological disorders.
Indeed, Cassia tora has long been used in traditional Indian medicine to effectively treat skin and gastrointestinal disorders.
Using dialysis, size exclusion chromatography and electrophoretic analysis, the scientists discovered that Cassia tora seed extract displayed strong antitryptic, bacterial and fungal protease inhibitory activity.
The extract effectively inhibited residual activity of trypsin, Aspergillus flavus and Bacillus sp. Protease.
"Inhibition of trypsin, bacterial and fungal proteases is indicative of its possible mechanism for varied therapeutic applications," the study stated, adding that it may also be used in crop protection.
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