Phytochemical Constituent Analysis, Antioxidative Effect, and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Bombax ceiba Flowers

Abstract

Bombax ceiba has been mentioned in indigenous systems of medicine due to its various ethnomedicinal applications. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of B. ceiba has not been thoroughly explored. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the phytochemical constituent of B. ceiba flowers and determine their antioxidative action and anti-inflammatory activity. The crude extracts of B. ceiba flower underwent colorimetric assays to measure the total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total condensed tannin content. DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assay were used for the antioxidative activity. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of B. ceiba were measured through nitric oxide inhibition in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Quantitative phytochemical evaluation of B. ceiba flowers reveals that ethanol and water extracts have the highest polyphenol content; ethyl acetate, hexane, and acetone extracts have the highest flavonoid content, and; water extract has the highest condensed tannin content. DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assay indicate that ethanol (IC50 =0.287±0.011 mg/mL and 1877.130±20.574 mg Trolox/g) and water (IC50 =0.364±0.010 and 1658.395±97.228 mg Trolox/g) has the most potent antioxidative activity. All extracts are deemed nontoxic to RAW 264.7 cells, with EA extract (IC50 = 101.274 µg/mL) having the inhibitory effect against nitric oxide. This study confirms the significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of B. ceiba flower. Consequently, this study provides insight for extended studies of B. ceiba flowers in medicinal research.