PHARMACOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTI-PANCREATITIS ACTIVITY OF CASSIA AURICULATA FLOWER EXTRACT

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas that can lead to severe metabolic complications and pancreatic dysfunction. Medicinal plants have long been explored as potential therapeutic agents due to their rich phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-pancreatitic activity of the ethanolic extract of Cassia auriculata flowers using an in-vitro AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cell model. The dried flowers were extracted using the Soxhlet extraction method with ethanol, and preliminary phytochemical screening was performed. The protective effect of the extract against ethanol-induced pancreatic toxicity was assessed using the MTT assay, which measures cell viability based on mitochondrial metabolic activity. AR42J cells were exposed to ethanol and treated with different concentrations of the extract (6.25–100 µg/mL). The results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in cell viability, indicating protective activity against ethanol-induced cellular damage. Maximum protection was observed around 50–100 µg/mL, suggesting cytoprotective potential of the extract. The observed activity may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and other antioxidant phytoconstituents, which are known to reduce oxidative stress and protect pancreatic cells. These findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of Cassia auriculata in the management of pancreatic disorders and diabetes. However, further in-vivo studies and mechanistic investigations are required to validate its therapeutic potential and safety for clinical applications.