Background & Aim: Bombax costatum stem bark is traditionally used in treatment of liver diseases but the anti-hepatofibrotic effect of its ethyl acetate fraction has not been scientifically evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-hepatofibrotic effect of ethyl acetate fraction of B. costatum stem bark (EAB) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in mice.Experimental: Normal control group were administered olive oil while mice in the remaining groups received 0.4 ml/kg of CCl4 twice weekly for 6 weeks. Mice in treatment groups received EAB once daily orally for the next 2 weeks at doses of 31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Mice in standard control group received silymarin (100 mg/kg) daily for the next 2 weeks. Mice in toxic control group were sacrificed 72 hours after the last dose of CCl4 while mice in CCl4 control group were observed for the next 2 weeks for spontaneous resolution of fibrosis. Effect of treatment on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and liver histopathology were evaluated.Results: CCl4 intoxication caused significant (p < 0.05) elevation in TNFα, TGFβ1 and MDA with associated collagen deposition in the liver. Administration of EAB significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the level of TNFα, TGFβ1 as well as MDA and increased GSH level compared to CCl4 toxic group.Recommended applications/industries: Ethyl acetate fraction of B. costatum possesses anti-hepatofibrotic, anti-inflammatory and in vivo anti-oxidant activities against CCl4 induced liver fibrosis. پرونده مقاله

Background & Aim:Bombax costatumis widely used in the African traditional medicine for the management of liver diseases, fever, epilepsy and pain but its safety on prolong administration have not been evaluated. The present study aimed at evaluating the toxicological properties of the methanol stem bark extract (MSBE) of Bombax costatum. Experimental: Oral median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated. Effects of methanol stem bark extract of Bombax costatum (MSBE)(31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg) on mean body weight, relative organ weight (ROW), liver function, kidney function, lipid profile, haematological parameters and histopathological changes in some organs were evaluated following 28 days daily oral administration to mice. Results: Oral LD50 of MSBE of B. costatum was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg. There was significant (p >0.005) increase in mean body weight of mice over time. The extract caused significant (p <0.05) increase in ROW of liver and significant (p <0.05) decrease in ROW of the kidneys at 125mg/kg. Significant increase in alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were also observed at 125 mg/kg when compared to normal control group. Mild to moderate necrosis were also observed in the liver and kidneys of treated groups. Recommended applications/industries: The results suggested that prolong oral administration of methanol stem bark extract of B.costatum at doses higher than 62.5 mg/kg might be toxic to the liver and kidneys. پرونده مقاله