ABSTRACT
The aqueous root extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium (CTR) was investigated for its phytochemical composition; acute oral toxicity and hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in rats. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids; tannins; cardiac glycosides; saponins; flavonoids; triterpenes; cyanogenic glycosides and volatile oils while steroids and anthraquinones were absent. Administration of 5000 mg/kg (body weight) of the extract orally did not produce any death in the rats within the observable period. The extract at 100 - 300 mg/kg (body weight) significantly and dose dependently reduced the levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes levels in the CCl4 -treated rats. The values of serum albumin; serum total protein and reduced glutathione in the extract treated groups of rats remained comparatively higher than its values in the CCl4 - treated group. The pretreatment of the rats with the extract produced a significant (P 0.05) reduction in blood clotting time. The histopathological findings were in support of the biochemical changes recorded during the study. These results suggest that aqueous root extract of CTR possess hepatoprotective effect against CCl4- induced liver damage in rats and the extract at 5000 mg/kg body weight appeared to be safe when administered orally
Subject(s)
Adult , Bixaceae , Carbon Tetrachloride , Liver Diseases , Plant ExtractsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The microcrystalline cellulose is an important ingredient in pharmaceutical; food; cosmetic and other industries. This study aimed at evaluating the physical characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose (CP-MCC); obtained from the raw cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii. METHODS: CP-MCC was obtained from the raw cotton by a two-stage sodium hydroxide treatment process followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching and acid hydrolysis. It was examined for its physicochemical and powder properties. The powder properties of CP-MCC were compared to those of the well-known commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade; Avicel PH 101. RESULTS: The extraction yield of CP-MCC was approximately 21 percent. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particles with a moisture content of 7.2 percent and total ash of 0.12 percent. The true density was 1.38. The flow indices showed that CP-MCC has poor flow. The hydration; swelling and moisture sorption capacities were 4.7; 83.3 and 22 percent; respectively. CONCLUSION: The cellulose product; CP-MCC; obtained from the raw cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii conformed to the official specifications in the British Pharmacopoeia (2004). The flow properties of a powder are critical in direct compression tableting; consequently; for the materials to be used for this purpose; it would require the addition of a glidant. Furthermore; the swelling parameters indicate that CP-MCC would be a better disintegrant than Avicel PH 101