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. Manuscript profile

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. Manuscript profile

Background & Aim:Diabetes mellitus is an intricate metabolic disorder of the endocrine system associated with complications that result in morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to establish the antihyperglycaemic profile and the effect of hexane extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium (HECA) on diabetic neuropathy in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. Experimental: C. alismifolium tubers were extracted with n-hexane using a soxhlet apparatus. The LD50 was determined using the OECD 425 guideline. The animals were served high fat diet for 6 weeks and then administered 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Experimental groups were set up using normal rats in group I and hyperglycaemic rats in 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group I and II were the normal and hyperglycaemic controls given distilled water (1 mL/kg); groups III, IV and V were given categorized doses of HECA (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) respectively. Group VI received pioglitazone (20 mg/kg). Fasting glycaemic level was evaluated and diabetic neuropathy was investigated using thermal and mechanical methods. Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes while the oral median toxic dose was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg. Administration of HECA at all doses evidently (p < 0.05) reduced the glycaemic level relative to the hyperglycaemic group and over time. Treatment with HECA also remarkably (p < 0.05) lowered the withdrawal times in both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesic methods of diabetic neuropathy compared to the hyperglycaemic control. Recommended applications/industries: The findings revealed that the hexane extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium has beneficial effects and can be applied in the management of diabetes and some of its complications. Manuscript profile