A Review on Ceiba pentandra and its medicinal features

 

A. Elumalai*, Nikhitha Mathangi, Adarsh Didala, Raju Kasarla, Yetcharla Venkatesh

Department of Pharmacognosy, Anurag Pharmacy College, Ananthagiri (v), Kodad(M), Nalgonda (Dt), Andhra Pradesh, India, 508 206.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: malairx@gmail.com

 

 

ABSTRACT:

Herbal drugs are traditional method of treating the diseases in worldwide, the plant having ability to treat the diseases also known as medicinal plant. Several types of medicinal plants are breathing in the nature and effective in different type of diseases. In traditional   systems   of   medicine,   different parts (leaves, stems, roots and even whole plant) of Ceiba pentandra have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, diabetics, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. All parts of this plant have numerous therapeutic activities for the treatment of a variety of diseases. It is known as a rich source of tannins, flavonoids and glycosides. This review highlights the use of Ceiba pentandra for the treatment of different disorders and presents the author’s approach to the scientific assessment on Ceiba pentandra as potential source of therapeutic agents.

 

KEYWORDS: Ceiba pentandra, diabetics, diarrhoea, review.

 

INTRODUCTION:

Ceiba pentandra (L) Gaertner (Malvaceae), known as silk cotton tree or locally as dum is widely reputed in the African traditional medicine1. Various morphological parts of the plant have been reported to be useful as effective remedies against diabetes, hypertension, headache, dizziness, constipation, mental diseases, fever, peptic ulcer and leprosy. It is also used as diuretics and to expel evil spirits. The bark contains a blackish mucilaginous gum, which swells in water and resembles tragacanth2. Folk medicines in Nigeria use the bark for the treatment of infections. It is astringent and is used in India and Malaya for bowel complaints. The bark is believed to also contain tannin. In West Africa, it is generally used in the treatment of diarrhoea.

 

Botanical Study

Kingdom               : Plantae

Division : Angiosperms

Class      Eudicoids

Order      Malvales

Family   Malvaceae

Genus     Ceiba

Species   Ceiba pentandra Linn

 

Description

Very large, deciduous tree up to 60 m tall, with roots spreading quite horizontally, 10 m or longer, in the upper 40–80cm of the soil; bole branchless for up to 35 m, straight, usually cylindrical, up to 200-240cm in diameter, branches whorled, dimorphic, branches usually in whorls of 3, horizontal or ascending, older branches often spiny. Leaves alternate, digitately compound, with 5–9–15 leaflets; stipules linear to narrowly triangular, up to 1 cm long, caducous, leaving scars; petiole (3.5–)5–27 cm long, thickened at base, apex expanded into an almost circular disk; petiolules up to 3 cm long; leaflets sessile, obovate to elliptical, (3.5–5–21cm Χ (1–)2–6.5cm, cuneate at base, acuminate at apex, entire or sometimes slightly toothed at margin, glabrous, pinnately veined with lateral veins in 7–18(–20) pairs, inflorescence in axillary with 1–15-flowered. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous, regular, strongly but unpleasantly scented; pedicel 2–5(–8)cm long; calyx campanulate, 9–15mm Χ 11–14mm, lobes rounded to nearly acute, glabrous outside, hairy inside; petals united at base, oblong-spatulate, 22–46mm Χ 6–13mm, pink, creamy yellow or white, hairy outside, glabrous inside; stamens 5–15, united at base in a staminal column, dividing into 5(–6) branches 2.5–5cm long; ovary semi-inferior, 3–6 mm in diameter, 5-celled, style 2.5–4cm long. Fruit a pendulous, oblong-ellipsoid capsule 7.5–30(–60) cm Χ 3–15cm, dehiscing with 5 valves (‘shells’) or indehiscent, smooth-valved, brown when ripe, many-seeded. Seeds almost globose, 4–6mm in diameter, glabrous, dark brown or black, embedded in copious white or greyish floss.

 

Traditional uses

Ceiba pentandra bark decoction has been used as a diuretic, aphrodisiac, and to treat headache, as well as type II diabetes.

 

Pharmacological actions

Anti-fungal activity

Nwachukwu et al had reported the anti-fungal properties of alcohol and water extracts of Cymbopogon citratus, Ceiba pentandra and Loranthus bengwelensis by disc diffusion and agar dilution techniques. Results showed that all the extracts inhibited the growth of standard and local strains of the organisms used, namely Epidermophyton flocosum, Microsporum canis, Trichopyton rubrum and Candida albicans. Some of the extracts had fungicidal effects while others had fungistatic effect on the organisms. The treatments were significantly different (P = 0.05). The minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts against the tested microorganisms ranged between 150mg/ml and 50mg/ml. Comparisons were made with ketoconazole at 1mg/ml. The alcohol extracts were found to be generally more effective than the water extract for C. pentandra while the reverse was the case for the C. citratus and L. bengwelensis extracts. (P = 0.05). The presence of saponins and phenols were inferred as being responsible for the anti-fungal properties of the extracts3.

 

Anti-diarrhoeal activity

Suke et al had reported the antidiarrhoeal activity in methanolic extract of the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra by using castor oil-induced diarrhoea and intestinal transit time models in mice. The phytochemical studies of the methanolic extract revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, resins and carbohydrates. The extract showed significant (p< 0.05) protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea at (1000mg/kg) but no significant delay in intestinal transit time was observed. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the methanolic extract was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg which suggested that the extract was non toxic at the antidiarrhoeal dose of 1000mg/kg. The results indicate that the methanolic extract contains compounds with antidiarrhoeal activity4.

 

Anti-ulcer activity

Bhushan et al had reported the anti ulcer activity on methanolic extract of Ceiba pentandra roots on Ethanol (EtOH)-induced ulcer and Pylorus ligated (PL)-induced ulcers in rats. Here ranitidine (50 mg/kg. body wt p.o.) used as standard drug. Gastric ulcers were produced in rats by pylorus-ligation and by administering Ethanol (EtOH, 400%, 1ml/200 g, 1 h). Histopathological studies were carried out on stomach tissue. The oral administration of MCP at 200 and 400 mg/kg in (PL) induced ulcer model significantly decreased the index of gastric lesion in both ulcer induced model. The result indicated a dose- dependent antiulcerogenic activity in C. Pentandra5.

 

Hepatoprotective activity

Bairwa et al had reported the protective activity of ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of stem bark of Ceiba pentandra against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. The ethyl acetate fraction (400 mg/kg) was administered orally to the rats with hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (3 gm/kg). Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as positive control. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in serum enzymes GOT (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), GPT alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin content and histopathological screening in the rats treated gave indication that ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Ceiba pentandra possesses hepatoprotective potential against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats6.

 

Anthelminthic activity

Diehl et al had reported the anthelmintic activity on Sixty plant species were collected in the Ivory Coast on the basis of an ethnobotanical literature using the following three criteria: activity against worms, diarrhoea and/or abdominal pain. Eighty six plant extracts were prepared using 90% ethanol and tested for potential anthelminthic activities with a larvicidal test of Haemonchus contortus. 25.6% of the extracts showed a high activity, 12.8% were active or marginally active and the remaining 61.6% were inactive. The results suggest the traditional uses of different parts of Ceiba pendantra like bark, leaf, and root showed for wound healing and diarrhoea disorders7.

 

Angiogenesis activity

Byung-Zun et al had reported the angionensis activity on 58 plant materials from Vietnamese medicinal plants showed strong to moderate inhibitory activity on the tube-like formation induced by human umbilical venous endothelial cells in the in vitro angiogenesis assay. These plant materials include the herb ofEphedra sinica, leaves and stem of Ceiba pentandra, seed of Coix lachryma-jobi, rhizome of Drynaria fortunei, fruits and stem of Illicium verum and stem of Bombax ceiba. of these, the methanol extracts of the herb of Ephedra sinica and stem of ­Ceiba pentandra exhibited the strongest activities with inhibition percentages of 89.3% and 87.5% at 30 and 100μg/mL, respectively8.

 

 

 

 

Anti inflammatory activity

Bohlin et al had isolated and reported the anti-inflammatory activity of two new isoflavone glucoside vavain 3’-O-β-D-glucoside (1) and its aglycon, vavain (2), from the bark of Ceiba pentandra, together with the known flavan-3-ol, (+)-catechin. These novel structures were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments and by MS, IR, and UV spectroscopy as 5-hydroxy-7,4’,5’-trimethoxyisoflavone 3’-O-β-D-glucoside (1) and 5,3’-dihydroxy-7,4’,5’-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), respectively. The compounds were isolated following bioactivity-directed fractionation, using a cyclooxygenase-1-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis assay in vitro, in which compounds 1 and 2 and (+)-catechin exhibited IC50 values of 381, 97, and 80 νM, respectively (standard: indomethacin, IC50 1.1 νM). When further tested for their inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-2-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis, 1 and 2 were found to be inactive (IC50 > 1200 and >900 νM, respectively)9.

 

Hypoglycaemic activity

Rehman et al had reported the hypoglycaemic effect of Ceiba pentandra root bark extract in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. 40 albino rats were included in this study divided into four groups of ten rats in each group. Group A and B rats were normal while diabetes was induced in group C and D rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan dissolved in 1mL of distilled water at a dose of 125mg/kg body weight. The Ceiba pentandra root bark extract was given orally at a dose of 150mg/kg of body weight. Data was taken after seven days of administration of alloxan. After the induction of diabetes the group B and D rats were treated with Ceiba pentandra root bark extract at a dose of 150mg/kg of body weight. Group A and C rats were not treated with Ceiba pentandra root bark extract. The blood samples from all the rats were collected from coccygial vein on 1st day, then on 21st and 42nd day respectively. All the samples were analyzed for blood glucose level by using enzymatic kits. The blood glucose level of treated groups of rats showed significant reduction after 7 weeks of treatment with Ceiba pentandra root bark extract. By statistical analysis of results it was found that Ceiba pentandra root bark extract has hypoglycaemic effect in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats10.

 

Hypolipidaemic activity

Aloke et al had reported the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of feed prepared with Ceiba pentandra leaves was investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Twenty five (25) wistar albino male rats weighing 105-162g assigned into 5 groups (I-V) of 5 rats per group were investigated. Diabetes was induced in Groups I-IV by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (200 mg/Kg body weight) while rats in group V were normal. While animals in groups I, II and III received experimental feeds containing 10 %, 15 % and 20 % dry powdered leaves of Ceiba pentandra respectively, for a period of three (3) weeks, those in groups IV and V received normal rat feeds and acted as diabetic and nondiabetic controls respectively. In addition to plasma glucose, plasma lipids {total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (Tg), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)}, total protein and albumin were determined by standard laboratory techniques. Plasma glucose was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the treated rats when compared with the controls, with feed containing 20 % of the leaves having the greatest effect. All the groups showed increases in body weight, which was least in group that received 20 % of the experimental feed. However while HDL was elevated (p < 0.05) in the treated animals, LDL, VLDL and Tg showed significant (p <0.05) decreases. Also total protein and albumin were elevated (p > 0.05) in the treated groups compared with the controls. The result therefore demonstrates that C. Pentandra leaves at moderate concentrations, exert both hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects in alloxan induced diabetic rats in a dose dependent fashion. Therefore, C. pentandra leaves could be of importance in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications such as coronary artery disease11.

 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

The extensive literature survey revealed that Ceiba pentandra is important medicinal plant with diverse pharmacological spectrum. The plant shows the presence of many chemical constituents which are responsible for varied pharmacological and medicinal property. The evaluation needs to be carried out on Ceiba pentandra in order to uses and formulation of the plant in their practical clinical applications, which can be used for the welfare of the mankind.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Author was gratefully thank to Mrs. Chandramathi for her support

 

REFERENCE

1.        Ueda H, Kaneda N, Kawanishi K, Alves SM and Moriyasu M. A new isoflavone glycoside from Ceiba pentandra (L) Gaertner. Chemical Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 50 (3); 2002: 403-4.

2.        Noumi F, Hounge F and Lontis D. Traditional medicine in primary health care: plants used in the treatment of hypertension in Bafia, Cameroon. Fitotherapia. 70; 1999: 234-39.

3.        Nwachukwu IN, Allison LN, Chinakwe EC and Nwadiaro P. Studies on the effects Cymbopogon citratus, Ceiba pentandra and Loranthus bengwelensis extracts on species of dermatophytes. The Journal of American Science. 4(4); 2008: 58-67.

4.        Sule.MI, Njinga NS, Musa AM, Magaji MG and Abdullahi. phytochemical and antidiarrhoeal studies of the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra (bombacaceae). Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 8(1); 2001: 143-148.

5.        Bhushan Gandhare, Kavimani S and Rajkapoor B. Antiulcer activity of methanolic extract of Ceiba pentandra Linn Gaertn on rats. Journal of Pharmacy Research. 4(11); 2011: 4132-4134.

6.        Bairwa NK, Sethiya K, Mishra SH. Protective effect of stem bark of Ceiba pentandra Linn against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Phcog Res. 2; 2011; 26-30.

7.        Diehla MS, Kamanzi Atindehoub K, Betschart B. Prospect for anthelmintic plants in the Ivory Coast using ethnobotanical Criteria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 95(2-3); 2011; 277-284.

8.        Nguyen-Hai Nam, Hwan-Mook Kim, Ki-Hwan Bae, Byung-Zun Ahn. Inhibitory effects of Vietnamese medicinal plants on tube-like formation of human umbilical venous cells. Phytotherapy Research. 7(2); 2001: 107–111.

9.        Ylva Noreen, Hesham El-Seedi, Premila Perera, and Lars Bohlin. Two new isoflavones from Ceiba pentandra and their effect on Cyclooxygenase-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis. Journal of Natural Products. 61(1); 1998: 8-12.

10.     Saif-ur-Rehman, Saghir Jafri, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Abdul Shakoor, Hafiz MN, Iqbal, Bilal Munir Ahmad and Imran Tipu. Investigation of Hypoglycemic effect of Ceiba pentandra root bark extract in normal and alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. IJAVMS. 4(3); 2010: 88-95.

11.     Aloke C, Nwachukwu N, Idenyi J N, Ugwuja EI, Nwachi.EU, Edeogu CO and Ogah O. Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic effects of feed formulated with Ceiba pentandra leaves in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. 4(9); 2011: 4473-4477.

 

 

 

 

 

Received on 18.05.2012          Accepted on 28.06.2012        

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Asian J. Pharm. Tech. 2(3): July-Sept. 2012; Page 83-86