Anti-hepatofibrotic effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Bombax costatum Pellgr.EtVuillet stem bark against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice

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.

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.

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 Ethyl acetate fraction of B. costatum possesses anti-hepatofibrotic, anti-inflammatory and in vivo anti-oxidant activities against CCl4 induced liver fibrosis.