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INTRODUCTION flowers of Bombax ceiba.

The liver is exposed to many kinds of xenobiotics and METHODS
therapeutic agents and has large capacity for metabolic
conversions. As the liver is largely responsible for the Plant material
biotransformation of many complex molecules, it is always The flowers of Bombax ceiba were collected from the
at the risk of detrimental physiological and pathological Medicinal Garden of the National Research Institute for
alterations characterized as liver diseases. Various types of Ayurveda-Siddha Human Resource Development, Gwalior in
liver disorders include cirrhosis, jaundice, cancer, metabolic April 2011. The flowers were identified by Dr. N.K. Pandey,
and degenerative lesion, liver cell necrosis, and hepatitis. Research Officer (Botany), National Research Institute for
[1]
Steroids, vaccines and anti-viral drugs, which have been Ayurveda-Siddha Human Resource Development, Gwalior,
employed as a therapy for liver diseases, have potential Aamkho, Gwalior, India. A voucher specimen (Accession no.
adverse side effects especially when administered for 410) of the authenticated Bombax ceiba flowers has been
long term. Hepatoprotective agents of plant origin have deposited in the herbarium of the Institute.
[2]
attracted special interest, and numerous medicinal plants
and their formulations have been used for liver disorders in Drugs and chemicals
the Ayurvedic system of medicine. These medicinal plants Carbon tetrachloride (CCl ) was purchased from Qualigens
4
have been studied for their influence on liver dysfunction. [3] Fine Chemicals, Mumbai, India. Olive oil (Figaro, Spain),
ascorbic acid, and tannic acid were purchased from local
Bombax ceiba Linn. (Family: Bombacaceae), is a large, market of Gwalior. Quercetin and DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-
deciduous tree commonly known as Silk Cotton Tree, 1-picrylhydryl) were obtained from Sigma Chemicals,
Indian Red Kapok tree, Semal, Shimul and Shalmali. It is USA. Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic
found throughout India and other parts of tropical and pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase
sub-tropical Asia, Australia, and Africa. The plant has both (ALP) estimation kits (Erba-Mannheim) were procured from
economic and medicinal value. It yields gum and cotton. It Transasia Biomedicals Pvt. Limited, Mumbai while total
bilirubin (T) estimation kit was procured from Siemens
is a large and long-living tree species which gives strength Medical Solution Diagnostic Ltd. Baroda India. Triglycerides
to the body, mind, and heart. The plant is popular among (TG), total protein, and albumin estimation kits were procured
[4]
the tribal communities for the treatment of various diseases. from Span Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., Surat, India. All remaining
Almost every part of the plant, the seeds, flowers, roots, chemicals used in the experiment were of the highest grade
and barks of Bombax ceiba have a long history of medicinal commercially available.
uses. The paste of flowers and leaves are applied externally
to relieve swellings, boils, and various skin conditions. The Preparation of aqueous extract of flowers of Bombax
traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains boiled the flowers ceiba
throughout the night, and gave them with mustard seeds The dried flowers were subjected to size reduction to a
orally as treatment of enlarged spleen. The decoction of coarse powder by using dry grinder. This powder (100 g) was
[5]
the semal flowers is used as home remedy for the treatment soaked in 1 L purified water, mixed, and kept in dark and
of jaundice. The flowers, leaves, and stem of Bombax ceiba dry place for 48 h. Chloroform was added in quantity of 1%
have been evaluated for various pharmacological actions. total mixture to prevent microbial growth. After 48 h, the
The various extract of Bombax ceiba have shown analgesic, mixture was filtered initially by Muslin cloth and after that
[7]
[6]
oxytocic hypotensive, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, with Whatman Filter paper No.1. The filtered extract was
[8,9]
antioxidant, [10-12] antiangiogenic activities. dried using a rotary evaporator. After drying, a light brown
[13]
extract was obtained (20% w/w).
Despite the traditional use of this plant in the treatment
of jaundice and splenic enlargement, very few scientific Preliminary phytochemical screening
studies have been carried out to delineate its influence on Preliminary phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of
experimentally induced hepatotoxicity. A recent study has flowers of Bombax ceiba (BCAE) was carried out to detect the
reported hepatoprotective effect of the Bombax ceiba flowers presence of various phytochemicals by standard procedures
[16]
in anti-tubercular drugs-induced toxicity. However, the [Table 1].
[14]
effects were limited to reversal of drug-induced necrosis.
Water is an extraction solvent to extract the hydrophilic Animals
antioxidants present in the plants. For use in foods, plant Healthy adult Wistar rats of either sex weighing about 200-
extracts made with water are nutritionally more relevant and 250 g, between 2-3 months of age were used in the study.
would have obvious advantages in certification and safety. They were housed in groups in polypropylene cages, under
[15]
The present study was undertaken to validate the traditional standard conditions (12:12 h light:dark cycle; 22 ± 3 °C;
use of Bombax ceiba in jaundice and to confirm earlier studies. 40-60% humidity) and had free access to standard rat pellet
Furthermore, we demonstrated the role of free radicals in diet (Ashirwad brand, Chandigarh, India) and filter water, ad
hepatotoxicity, and the in vitro antioxidant activity of the libitum. The experiments were carried out in accordance with

Hepatoma Research | Volume 2 | June 1, 2016 145