European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aim: This structured narrative review critically examines the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, reported pharmacological activities and safety profile of Cassia sieberiana DC. (Fabaceae), with emphasis on the strength and limitations of the evidence.

Methods: Literature was identified through PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and African Journals OnLine, supplemented by reference works and identifiable grey literature. Studies addressing the species were reviewed using a structured extraction grid covering plant material, preparation, experimental model, dose, endpoint and comparator.

Results: Ethnomedicinal applications reported across at least ten West and Central African countries principally concern febrile and parasitic illnesses, gastrointestinal complaints, pain and inflammatory disorders. Roots and bark are frequently used. Twenty-five isolated constituents are reported, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, stilbenes, triterpenes and phytosterols. Experimental findings provide comparatively consistent support for anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of root preparations, alongside evidence of gastric mucosal protection. Antioxidant findings are largely derived from cell-free assays. Breast cancer cell-line investigations show weak or absent antiproliferative effects, with reported root-bark extract IC₅₀ values of approximately 240–245 µg/mL. Several preparations show low acute oral toxicity, although repeated pod-pulp administration was associated with elevations in liver enzymes, and intraperitoneal toxicity has also been reported.

Conclusions: Despite substantial traditional use and chemical diversity, clinical efficacy and long-term safety remain insufficiently established. Research priorities include chemical standardisation, independent replication of biological findings and more extensive toxicological assessment.