Hepatoprotective and Hematological Effect of Aqueous Extract of Bombax costatum in Wistar Rat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and hematological effects of aqueous extract of Bombax costatum in Wistar rats. Freshly harvested leaves of Bombax costatum washed with clean tap water were air dried at room temperature. The dried leaves were subsequently ground into fine powder with the aid of an electric blender. Exactly 500 g of powdered plant sample was processed into extract. Thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group I was the normal control administered 2 ml of distilled water. Group II was the negative control i.e., induced liver damage without treatment. Groups III-V were administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract of B. constatum respectively prior to induction of hepatic damage. Treatment lasted for 10 days after which animals were sacrificed and blood sample collected. Qualitative phytochemical screening, biochemical and hematological parameters were performed using standard procedures. While anthraquinone was reportedly absent, saponin was the most abundant of the phytochemicals reportedly present. The activity of the liver enzymes was high in the negative control which was induced hepatic damage without treatment. However, it was significantly (P<0.05) lower in groups which were pre-treated with aqueous extract of Bombax constatum prior to induction attempt. It was also observed that Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and Red Blood Cell (RBC) reported for the negative control were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that reported for the normal control. However, in groups which were administered with the said extract before induction attempt, PCV, Hb, and RBC were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those reported for group II which were induced hepatic damage without treatment. In conclusion, aqueous extract of B. costatum has hepato and hemato protective effects.