Hepatoma ResHepatoma Research2454-25202394-5079OAE Publishing Inc.10.20517/2394-5079.2015.55Original ArticleHepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Bombax ceiba flowers against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in ratshttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0691-2652manish.nriashrd@gmail.comWanjariManish M.1
Manish M. Wanjari, PhD, is a pharmacology scientist involved in research on medicinal plants and Ayurvedic formulations since last 10 years. His major research area is herbal drug development for diabetes, inflammation, etc. He published 30 research papers in national and international journals. He is life member of various scientific societies.
Aim: The flowers of Bombax ceiba are traditionally used as home remedy in the treatment of jaundice and spleen enlargement. The present work investigated the effect of aqueous extract of flowers of Bombax ceiba (BCAE) on experimentally induced hepatotoxicity in rats to substantiate its traditional use as hepatoprotective agent.
Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment; at the same time vehicle or BCAE (250 or 500 mg/kg) or silymarin (25 mg/kg) were administered daily orally for seven days. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by estimating the activities of marker enzymes and by histological studies. The antioxidant effect of BCAE was assessed by measuring amount of antioxidant phytochemicals (total phenolics and flavonoids), and DPPH free radical scavenging assay of the extract.
Results: BCAE treatment significantly prevented the CCl4-induced elevations in levels of glutamate oxaloacatate transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and triglycerides, and decreased the total protein levels. Treatment with BCAE attenuated the CCl4-induced cytotoxic damage to liver. BCAE exhibited presence of antioxidant phytochemicals and showed scavanging action on DPPH radicals. The hepatoprotective effect of BCAE was comparable to that of the standard antioxidant hepatoprotective agent, silymarin. These findings indicated that BCAE showed hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and exhibited in vitro antioxidant effects.
Conclusion: Bombax ceiba flowers exhibited hepatoprotective effect which may be attributed to antioxidant potential. This study also validated their traditional medicinal use in liver disorders.
Semalliver disordersliver function testfree radical scavengingsilymarinIntroduction
The liver is exposed to many kinds of xenobiotics and therapeutic agents and has large capacity for metabolic conversions. As the liver is largely responsible for the biotransformation of many complex molecules, it is always at the risk of detrimental physiological and pathological alterations characterized as liver diseases. Various types of liver disorders include cirrhosis, jaundice, cancer, metabolic and degenerative lesion, liver cell necrosis, and hepatitis.[1] Steroids, vaccines and anti-viral drugs, which have been employed as a therapy for liver diseases, have potential adverse side effects especially when administered for long term.[2] Hepatoprotective agents of plant origin have attracted special interest, and numerous medicinal plants and their formulations have been used for liver disorders in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. These medicinal plants have been studied for their influence on liver dysfunction.[3]
Bombax ceiba Linn. (Family: Bombacaceae), is a large, deciduous tree commonly known as Silk Cotton Tree, Indian Red Kapok tree, Semal, Shimul and Shalmali. It is found throughout India and other parts of tropical and sub-tropical Asia, Australia, and Africa. The plant has both economic and medicinal value. It yields gum and cotton. It is a large and long-living tree species which gives strength to the body, mind, and heart.[4] The plant is popular among the tribal communities for the treatment of various diseases. Almost every part of the plant, the seeds, flowers, roots, and barks of Bombax ceiba have a long history of medicinal uses. The paste of flowers and leaves are applied externally to relieve swellings, boils, and various skin conditions. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains boiled the flowers throughout the night, and gave them with mustard seeds orally as treatment of enlarged spleen.[5] The decoction of the semal flowers is used as home remedy for the treatment of jaundice. The flowers, leaves, and stem of Bombax ceiba have been evaluated for various pharmacological actions. The various extract of Bombax ceiba have shown analgesic, oxytocic[6] hypotensive, hypoglycemic,[7] antimicrobial,[8,9] antioxidant,[10-12] antiangiogenic[13] activities.
Despite the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of jaundice and splenic enlargement, very few scientific studies have been carried out to delineate its influence on experimentally induced hepatotoxicity. A recent study has reported hepatoprotective effect of the Bombax ceiba flowers in anti-tubercular drugs-induced toxicity.[14] However, the effects were limited to reversal of drug-induced necrosis. Water is an extraction solvent to extract the hydrophilic antioxidants present in the plants. For use in foods, plant extracts made with water are nutritionally more relevant and would have obvious advantages in certification and safety.[15] The present study was undertaken to validate the traditional use of Bombax ceiba in jaundice and to confirm earlier studies. Furthermore, we demonstrated the role of free radicals in hepatotoxicity, and the in vitro antioxidant activity of the flowers of Bombax ceiba.
MethodsPlant material
The flowers of Bombax ceiba were collected from the Medicinal Garden of the National Research Institute for Ayurveda-Siddha Human Resource Development, Gwalior in April 2011. The flowers were identified by Dr. N.K. Pandey, Research Officer (Botany), National Research Institute for Ayurveda-Siddha Human Resource Development, Gwalior, Aamkho, Gwalior, India. A voucher specimen (Accession no. 410) of the authenticated Bombax ceiba flowers has been deposited in the herbarium of the Institute.
Drugs and chemicals
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was purchased from Qualigens Fine Chemicals, Mumbai, India. Olive oil (Figaro, Spain), ascorbic acid, and tannic acid were purchased from local market of Gwalior. Quercetin and DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydryl) were obtained from Sigma Chemicals, USA. Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) estimation kits (Erba-Mannheim) were procured from Transasia Biomedicals Pvt. Limited, Mumbai while total bilirubin (T) estimation kit was procured from Siemens Medical Solution Diagnostic Ltd. Baroda India. Triglycerides (TG), total protein, and albumin estimation kits were procured from Span Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., Surat, India. All remaining chemicals used in the experiment were of the highest grade commercially available.
Preparation of aqueous extract of flowers of Bombax ceiba
The dried flowers were subjected to size reduction to a coarse powder by using dry grinder. This powder (100 g) was soaked in 1 L purified water, mixed, and kept in dark and dry place for 48 h. Chloroform was added in quantity of 1% total mixture to prevent microbial growth. After 48 h, the mixture was filtered initially by Muslin cloth and after that with Whatman Filter paper No.1. The filtered extract was dried using a rotary evaporator. After drying, a light brown extract was obtained (20% w/w).
Preliminary phytochemical screening
Preliminary phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of flowers of Bombax ceiba (BCAE) was carried out to detect the presence of various phytochemicals by standard procedures[16][Table 1].
Phytochemical screening of the BCAE
Phytoconstituents
Phytochemical test
Inference
BCAE
Carbohydrates
Molisch’s test
Formation of violet ring at junction
+
Proteins
Biuret test
Appearance of violet color
-
Xanthoproteic test
Formation of white precipitate
Amino acids
Ninhydrin test
Appearance of Purple color
-
Triterpenoid sterols
Salkowski reaction
Appearance of red color in chloroform layer while greenish yellow in acid layer
+
Fats, oils and volatile oils
Solubility test
Solubility in water, ether, benzene and chloroform
-
Fats and oils
Saponification test
Formation of soap
-
Glycosides
Keller Killiani test
Formation of reddish brown colour at junction
+
Flavonoids
Shinoda test
Formation of reddish to pink color
+
Alkaloids
Dragendroff’s test
Formation of orange colour precipitate
+
Wagner’s test
Formation of reddish brown precipitate
Phenolic compounds and tannins
Lead acetate test
Formation of white precipitate
+
Test with FeCl3
Appearance of bluish black color
+: present; -: absent; BCAE: aqueous extract of Bombax ceiba
Animals
Healthy adult Wistar rats of either sex weighing about 200-250 g, between 2-3 months of age were used in the study. They were housed in groups in polypropylene cages, under standard conditions (12:12 h light:dark cycle; 22 ± 3 °C; 40-60% humidity) and had free access to standard rat pellet diet (Ashirwad brand, Chandigarh, India) and filter water, ad libitum. The experiments were carried out in accordance with guidelines prescribed by The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals and the use of animals was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute (Proposal No. CRI-GWL/IAEC/2010/08).
Acute toxicity study
Healthy Wistar rats, starved overnight, were subjected to acute toxicity studies to determine non-observable adverse effect dose level (NOAEL) by acute toxic class method of oral toxicity as per Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 423 guidelines.[17] The rats (n = 3) were administered BCAE in the limit test dose of 2,000 mg/kg and observed continuously for behavioral, neurological, and autonomic profiles for 2 h, and after a period of 24, 72 h and thereafter up to 14 days for any lethality, moribund state, or death. The limit test was repeated in another group of rats (n = 3) for confirmation and approximate LD50 determination.
Experimental induction of hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CCl4 in olive oil in the ratio of 1:1 at the dose of 1 mL/kg for two continuous days as described previously with modifications.[18,19] After 48 h of the last dose of CCl4, blood was withdrawn from retro-orbital plexus by capillary puncture method.[20] Plasma was separated and analyzed for the various biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity and hepatic damage.
Grouping and treatments
The rats were divided into five groups (n = 5 each). Group I received only olive oil (1 mL/kg, i.p.), and remaining groups (group II, III, IV and V) received 1 mL/kg, i.p. CCl4 in olive oil for two continuous days. While group II (control) received the vehicle of the extract (5 mL/kg, distilled water, orally), group III and IV received BCAE (250 and 500 mg/kg orally, respectively). Group V received silymarin suspension (25 mg/kg, orally), a known antioxidant and hepatoprotective agent.[21,22] The vehicle/drugs were administered daily orally for seven days and CCl4 administration was done on the 5th and 6th day of vehicle/drug treatments.
Assessment of liver function test and hepatic damage
On the eigth day of the experiment, blood was withdrawn by micro-capillary technique from the retro-orbital plexus under light ether anesthesia. This technique is used with recovery in experimental circumstances and this method is also called periorbital, posterior-orbital and orbital venous plexus bleeding. Briefly, a capillary is inserted into the medial canthus of the eye (30 degree angle to the nose) with a slight thumb pressure to puncture the tissue and enter the plexus/sinus. Once the plexus is punctured, blood will come through the capillary tube which was collected in 1.5 mL Eppendorff tubes from the plexus. The capillary tube is then gently removed and wiped with sterile cotton. Bleeding can be stopped by applying gentle finger pressure.[20] Blood was centrifuged at 3,000 g to obtain plasma, which was used to assess liver function parameters (GOT, GPT,[23] ALP,[24] T,[25] total protein,[26] albumin and TG) using semi-autoanalyser (Microlab 300, Merck Specialities Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi).
Histological studies
After the withdrawal of blood, the animal was sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Abdomen was cut opened and aorta was cut to washout the blood from tissues. The liver was dissected out. A piece of liver was fixed in 10% v/v neutral buffered formalin. Serial sections (4-5 μm thick) of the paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were cut with a Microm HM 360 microtome and processed for hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson’s trichrome (Accustain Trichrome Stains, Sigma-Aldrich Inc, USA). Staining was done as per manufacturer’s protocol. The sections were studied under microscope.
Assessment of antioxidant activityQuantitative estimation of antioxidant phytochemicals
The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined spectrometrically[27] and expressed as milligrams of tannic acid equivalents (TAE) per gram of extract. Total flavonoid content was measured by aluminum chloride colorimetric assay[28] and expressed as milligrams of quercetin equivalent per gram of extract.
The free radical scavenging activity of extract was measured by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH•) using the method previously described.[29] Briefly, 0.1 mmol/L solution of DPPH in ethanol was prepared, and 3.5 mL was added to 0.5 mL of extract solution of different concentrations in water. The mixture was shaken vigorously and allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 min. Then the absorbance was measured at 517 nm by using a spectrophotometer (UV 1800, Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). Lower absorbance of the reaction mixture indicated higher free radical scavenging activity. Ascorbic acid was taken as standard antioxidant. The percent DPPH scavenging effect was calculated using the following equation: DPPH• scavenging effect (%) = 100 × A1/A0 (where A0 was the absorbance of the control reaction and A1 was the absorbance in the presence of the test).
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons post hoc test. A statistical difference of P < 0.05 was considered significant in all cases.
ResultsPhytochemical screening of BCAE
The qualitative tests for identifying the nature of phytochemicals in BCAE revealed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates, sterols, glycosides, alkaloids, volatile oils, and phenolic compound. However, proteins were found to be absent in the extract [Table 1].
Acute toxicity study of BCAE
Acute oral toxicity studies revealed that the BCAE was safe up to a dose level of 2,000 mg/kg of body weight (limit test) and NOAEL dose is more than 2,000 mg/kg. No lethality or any toxic reactions or moribund state were observed up to the end of the observation period of 14 days.
Effect of CCl4 treatment on liver function test
One-way ANOVA showed that the CCl4 treatment (1 mL/kg, i.p. on continuous two days) significantly influenced the liver functions parameters (P < 0.0001 in all cases). Post hoc test indicated CCl4 treatment significantly (P < 0.001 in all cases) elevated plasma levels of GOT, GPT, ALP, and T while decreased the albumin and total protein and TG as compared to olive oil control [Table 2].
Effect of BCAE on liver function parameters
Liver function parameters
Treatments
GOT (U/L)
GPT (U/L)
ALP (U/L)
Bilirubin (T) (mg/dL)
Total protein (g/dL)
Albumin (g/dL)
TG (mg/dL)
Olive oil
134.0 ± 12.69
48.60 ± 2.29
137.80 ± 10.18
0.21 ± 0.04
5.10 ± 0.30
4.64 ± 0.19
156.30 ± 17.01
CCl4 + vehicle
306.8 ± 24.50*
202.2 ± 10.34*
255.20 ± 32.87*
1.18 ± 0.01*
2.30 ± 0.21*
4.04 ± 0.30
76.77 ± 6.40*
CCl4 + BCAE 250
271.0 ± 19.25
189.0 ± 14.39
155.60 ± 15.60#
0.73 ± 0.06#
2.74 ± 0.15
3.58 ± 0.57
139.0 ± 9.02#
CCl4 + BCAE 500
205.8 ± 10.01#
153.8 ± 16.78$
147.6 ± 15.42#
0.60 ± 0.09@
2.26 ± 0.42
3.24 ± 0.06
143.20 ± 11.94#
CCl4 + silymarin
134.6 ± 8.06@
58.00 ± 5.04@
69.20 ± 5.85@
0.35 ± 0.04@
5.50 ± 0.20@
3.27 ± 0.30
126.10 ± 7.88$
Rats were treated for 7 days with vehicle or BCAE (250 and 500 mg/kg, i.g.) or silymarin (25 mg/kg i.g.) along with olive oil or CCl4 in olive oil (1 mL/kg, i.p.) treatment on day 5 and liver functions markers (GOT, GPT, ALP, T, total protein, albumin and TG) were assessed on day 8. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 5) *P < 0.001 vs. olive oil or $P < 0.05, #P < 0.01, @P < 0.001 vs. CCl4 treated vehicle control (one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multi-comparison post hoc test). GOT: glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase; GPT: glutamic pyruvic transaminase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; TG: triglycerides; BCAE: aqueous extract of Bombax ceiba
Effect of BCAE treatment on liver function test
One-way ANOVA showed that BCAE (250 or 500 mg/kg per day, orally) or silymarin (25 mg/kg per day, orally) treatment for seven days significantly influenced the liver functions parameters (P < 0.0001) in CCl4 treated rats. The BCAE or silymarin significantly (P < 0.05-0.001) attenuated the elevation in levels of GOT, GPT, ALP, T, and TG while increased total protein without affecting the levels of albumin [Table 2]. The effect of BCAE was lesser than that of standard drug silymarin.
Effect of BCAE treatment on histology of liver of CCl4 treated rats
Treatment with CCl4 caused marked liver damage and fibrosis characterized by hepatocellular degeneration with moderate amount of collagen tissue (arrow) stained blue with Masson’s trichrome stain in the portal triad [Figure 1B]. Liver section of olive oil treated animals [Figure 1A] showed normal hepatic architecture with central canal having radiating hepatocytes. Minimal amount of collagen tissue (arrow) stained blue with Masson’s stain was evident in the portal triad.
Effect of aqueous extract of Bombax ceiba on histopathology of liver. Histological sections of liver stained with Masson's trichrome stain from olive oil treated control rats (A) shows normal hepatic architecture with central canal having radiating hepatocytes. Minimal amount of collagen tissue (arrow) stained blue with Masson's stain in the portal triad. Liver section from CCl4 treated rats (B) that received vehicle showed hepatocellular degeneration with moderate amount of collagen tissue (arrow) stained blue with Masson's stain in the portal triad. Section of liver of CCl4 treated rat which concurrently received silymarin (C) and the aqueous extract of flowers of Bombax ceiba (500 mg/kg) (D) respectively, shows lesser amount of collagen and was comparable to control (A), showing minimal amount of collagen tissue (arrow) stained blue with Masson's stain in the portal triad
The BCAE treatment (500 mg/kg) or silymarin showed significant protection against CCl4-induced hepatic damage as indicated by lesser amount of collagen tissue vascular as compared to vehicle [Figure 1B]. Treatment with 500 mg/kg dose of BCAE exhibited comparable protection [Figure 1D] to that offered by silymarin (25 mg/kg) [Figure 1C].
Antioxidant effect of BCAEQuantitative estimation of antioxidant phytochemicals
The total flavonoid content of BCAE was found to be 5.79 mg quercetin equivalents/g of extract, while the total phenolic content was found to be 0.225 mg tannic acid equivalent/g of extract, respectively.
DPPH free radical scavenging activity
The BCAE in concentration range of 10-100 µg/mL inhibited DPPH radical formation as indicated by concentration-dependent decrease in the purple color of the solution. Similar effect was obtained with ascorbic acid, the standard antioxidant, in the concentration range of 5-100 µg/mL. The linear regression analysis of concentration vs. percent DPPH inhibition was carried out. The IC50 value of BCAE and ascorbic acid, obtained from regression analysis, were 50.21 and 3.35 µg/mL, respectively [Table 3].
Effect of BCAE on DPPH radical scavenging
Concentration (μg/mL)
% DPPH inhibition
IC50 value
BCAE
10
15.53 ± 1.85
20
31.76 ± 2.25
40
36.07 ± 71.35
60
71.96 ± 1.76
50.21 μg/mL
80
73.16 ± 2.15
100
80.16 ± 1.07
Ascorbic acid
5
24.92 ± 1.33
10
54.67 ± 2.89
20
68.83 ± 1.68
40
86.73 ± 2.46
3.35 μg/mL
50
91.86 ± 1.75
100
93.63 ± 0.86
Results are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 3); IC50 = 50% inhibitory concentration. BCAE: aqueous extract of Bombax ceiba
Discussion
Acute toxicity study of the BCAE (2,000 mg/kg, orally) revealed that there was no toxicity of any nature or moribund stage during the observation period. This illustrates that the NOAEL of BCAE is more than 2,000 mg/kg. Based on this, the BCAE was administered in the dose range of 200 mg/kg (one tenth of the limit test dose level). The previous studies have also used extract of Bombax ceiba in the similar dose range.[14]
In accordance with earlier reports,[30-32] the present investigations revealed that administration of CCl4 caused a marked impairment in liver function, as indicated by significant increase in plasma levels of marker enzymes; and produced extensive histological damages to liver. CCl4 undergoes metabolism in liver to form trichloromethyl peroxyl (CCl3O2) radical[33] and several lines of evidences suggest that the free radicals oxidize the essential macromolecular structures, that is, DNA, proteins, and lipids, and eventually produce cytotoxicity.[34,35] In addition, higher levels of lipid peroxidation are clinically evident in liver disorders[36] and the antioxidant therapy was found to ameliorate these effects.[37]
It was observed that treatment with BCAE ameliorated the CCl4-induced impairments in the liver functions except total protein and albumin. BCAE in the dose 500 mg/kg offered moderate degree of attenuation in the elevated GOT, GPT, and TG, but with very remarkable prevention of ALP and T. The lower dose of 250 mg/kg was almost ineffective in normalizing the liver markers except for a few. BCAE also showed lesser degree of collagen fiber as compared to vehicle control [Figure 1] which suggests the preventive nature of the extract on liver tissue fibrosis. These findings confirmed that BCAE exerts moderate hepatoprotective effect. Previously the hepatoprotective effect of Bombax ceiba flowers was demonstrated in isoniazid plus rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity[14] and supports the findings of the present study.
Phytochemical analysis of BCAE revealed the presence of the antioxidant phytochemicals flavonoids, terpenes and phenolic compounds. It has been earlier reported that the flowers and other parts of this plant contains flavonoids and sesquiterpenens, etc.[38,39] The present study also revealed that BCAE has fair amount of flavonoids and phenolics.
BCAE was further tested for its antioxidant activity. The results revealed that BCAE has significant free radical scavenging property [Table 3] with IC50 of 50.21 µg/mL. The antioxidant activities of the flavonoids are well demonstrated and they are often found effective in hepatic disorders.[40-42] Previous studies have reported that Bombax ceiba extract possesses in vitro antioxidant activity.[10-12] Based on this, it can be hypothesized that the observed hepatoprotection offered by BCAE may be ascribed to its antioxidant activity. Furthermore, this was supported by the observation that daily treatment with silymarin, a well proven antioxidant, showed similar effects on CCl4-induced changes in the levels of hepatic function markers and similarly prevented the CCl4-induced damage to the liver. The in vivo antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of silymarin are well demonstrated in earlier studies[21,22] and corroborate with the present findings. The observed hepatoprotective effect of BCAE was comparable to that of silymarin.
In conclusion, BCAE exhibited protective effect on CCl4-induced free radical mediated hepatotoxicity. The observed hepatoprotection by BCAE may be a consequence of its antioxidant effect due to the presence of flavonoids or other phenolic compounds in BCAE. The present investigations scientifically validate the traditional use of flowers of Bombax ceiba in hepatic disorders.
Acknowledgments
Authors are thankful to Dr. Vinay Lomesh, Shree Ram Institute of Industrial Research, New Delhi, for his help in interpretation of histological changes in liver tissues.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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