Antidiabetic and Hepatoprotective Activities of Bombax ceiba Young Roots in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Bombax ceiba (B. ceiba), a member of the Malvaceae family, has widely been used by rural practitioners for various ailments from ancient civilization. Although different parts of this plant are known to have several biological activities, very little is known about the effects of young roots of B. ceiba (BCYR) on diabetes and hepatic toxicity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the BCYR on diabetes and hepatic toxicity in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice (AIDM). The dried coarse powder of the BCYR was extracted with ethanol (Et-BCYR) by cold extraction method. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the Et-BCYR revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, tannin, steroids, alkaloids and glycosides. Administration of the Et-BCYR (400 mg/kg bw) intraperitoneally in AIDM, it significantly (p>0.05) reduced the blood glucose level compared to untreated AIDM at different time points (0-24 hours). Strikingly, the most action was 78.36% in 16 hours, which was higher than that of the standard met for min (72.36%). Treatment with Et-BCYR significantly (p>0.0001) elevated the HDL level; on the contrary, it reduces LDL, TC and TG levels when compared to untreated AIDM. Additionally, Et-BCYR treatment significantly (p>0.0001) decreased the hepatotoxicity by detecting the reduced level of SGOT and SGPT (hepatotoxic markers) compared to untreated AIDM. Our findings show that the young roots of B. ceiba have potential hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and hepato protective activities and confirm the traditional uses of this plant to manage diabetes and its associated liver toxicity.