Background

Obesity is one of the leading causes of death worldwide [1] and characterized by excess body fat accumulation [2]. It is a chronic disorder with complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors and occurs due to increased intake of high fat and energy food with decreased energy expenditure. Endogenous involvement of leptin, insulin, ghrelin, CCK (cholecystokinin), NPY (neuropeptide Y), GLP-1 (glycogen like peptide 1) and PTP-1B (protein tyrosine phosphate-1B) signaling has potential effect on food intake and energy expenditure [3]. The stimulation of PTP-1B also modulates insulin, leptin and integrin signaling, and thereby stimulates fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity and results obesity [4, 5]. According to Ayurveda, vitiations in three body humours i.e. tridoshas (vata, pitta and kapha) is characterized by altered body functions like metabolism, digestion, appetite and thus precipitates obesity [6]. The clinical claims revealed that the obesity is caused due to genetic predisposition and improper life style.

The traditional system of medicine has incorporated use of medicinal plant drugs or formulation for the prevention of obesity. Bombax ceiba Linn., belongs to family Malvaceae, commonly called as semal, shimbal (in hindi) and red silk cotton tree (in english) [7]. The stem bark is reported to contain lupeol, shamimicin, flavonoids, glycoside, sterol: β-sitosterol, terpenoids, napthol, hemigossylic acid and lactone-7-methyl ether [8, 9]. Shamimin (C-flavonol glucoside) isolated from B. ceiba methanolic extract showed significant hypotensive and hypoglycaemic properties and was found to be safe in rodents [9]. Mangiferin obtained from methanolic extract of B. ceiba leaves demonstrated strong antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities [10]. Ethno-pharmacologically, it is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, digestive disturbances, diabetes [11] and improves digestion (Jain, 1996). In ayurveda, B. ceiba is generally recommended to use in vitiated conditions of vata, pitta and kapha and removes pitta and kappa [12]. It has a potent free radical scavenging [13], anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities [8, 14]. The flavonoids isolated from B. ceiba have a potent FAS inhibitory activity [15]. Lupeol, found in B. ceiba inhibits PTP-1B, adipogenesis, TG synthesis and accumulation of lipids in adipocytes and adipokines [16].

On the basis of literature available, we hypothesized to investigate the possible anti-obesity potential of Bombax ceiba in high fat diet-induced experimental obesity, possibly due to the involvement of FAS and PTP-1B signaling in present study.

Methods

Collection, authentication and extraction of plant material

Bombax ceiba Linn. stem bark was collected from Gwalior, MP, India, authentified from NISCAR, New Delhi under consultation with Dr. H.B. Singh, Director and a voucher specimen of plant drug sample was deposited in institutional herbarium (NISCAIR/RHMD/Consult/-20011-12/1758/58). Stem bark was shade dried, coarsely powdered and stored in air tight container till further use. The literature revealed that the phytoconstituents isolated from methanolic extract of B. ceiba have potent biological efficacies. Therefore, plant drug extraction was made with soxhlet extractor using methanol as solvent.

Phytochemical screening

The qualitative phytochemical screening of B. ceiba extract was carried out for the presence of phytoconstituents like steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinone glycosides, C-glycosides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic and carbohydrates [17].

Acute toxicity study

Acute toxicity study of B. ceiba extract was conducted as per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 423 guidelines: acute toxicity class method [18] using Wistar albino rats (n = 3). B. ceiba extract (methanolic) was given orally in doses: 50, 100, 300, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg; suspended in 0.5% CMC solution and the animals were observed for physiological (body wt, urination, pellet expulsion and salivation), behavioral (irritability, corneal reflex, catatonia, locomotion, convulsion and tremor), biochemical (serum ALT, AST and glucose) and toxic manifestations and even mortality, if any, up to 14 days.

Chemicals and reagents

Casein from Modern Dairy, New Karnal, India; cholesterol from Thomas Baker; and Gemfibrozil from Pfizer, USA were purchased. The biochemical enzymatic kits were purchased from Coral Diagnostics Ltd., Mumbai, India. All other chemicals/reagents used were of analytical grade and were freshly prepared before use.

Animals

Male, Wistar albino rats, weighing 180-220 g were employed in present study. They were fed on standard chow diet (Ashirwad Industries Private Ltd., Ropar, Punjab, India) and water ad libitum; and maintained at 12-12 h light/dark cycles, temperature 25 ± 2°C and relative humidity 55 ± 5%. The experimental protocol was duly been approved by Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) and the experimentations were conducted under the guidelines from Committee for the purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA).

High fat diet-induced obesity

Experimental obesity was developed by feeding high fat diet (Powdered Normal Chow, 365 g; lard, 310 g; casein, 250 g; cholesterol, 10 g; vitamin mix and mineral mix, 60 g; dl-methionine, 03 g; yeast powder, 01 g; and NaCl, 01 g were mixed to prepare 1.0 kg of HFD) [19], to rats for 10 weeks. The High fat diet contains 5.33 kcal/g while the normal chow contains 3.80 kcal/g.

Experimental protocol

All animals were divided into different groups each comprising six animals (n = 6). The groups were 1). Normal control receiving vehicle only; 2). HFD control receiving high fat diet for 10 weeks; 3). Gemfibrozil-50 receiving gemfibrozil 50 mg/kg as standard; 4), 5), 6) B.C. 100 or 200 or 400 receiving B. ceiba extract 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Administration of vehicle, standard and the plant extracts were done orally from 7th week to 10 week by suspending in 0.5% CMC solution as vehicle. After completion of experimental protocol, pahramcological assessments shall be carried out. Animals were anaesthetized, blood was collected from retro orbital plexuses, centrifuged and serum separated for biochemical estimations. Animals were sacrificed, and liver and different fat depots were surgically dissected out. 10% liver homogenate was prepared in 0.1 M Tris buffer (pH = 7.4) or phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH = 7.4) (for glutathione only) for tissue biochemical estimations.

Pharmacological assessment

Assessment of anthropometric parameters

The body mass index (BMI) [20] and Lee index [21] were assessed as an index of obesity. Body weight and food intake (g and kcal) were assessed weekly. Weight of liver and different fat depots: epididymal, retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat depots, total weights were also estimated [22].

Assessment of serum biochemical parameters

The estimation of serum glucose [23]; total cholesterol [24]; high density lipoprotein (HDL) [24], low density lipoprotein LDL-[25]; very low density lipoprotein VLDL [25]; triglycerides [26]; and ALT, AST [27] were carried out spectrophotometrically using biochemical enzymatic kits (Coral Diagnostics Ltd., Mumbai, India).

Serum fatty acid estimation by gas chromatography (GC)

The fatty acid estimation by gas chromatography was done by modified method of Christie [28]. The fatty acid was converted to fatty acid ester. For esterification, 300 μl of serum was made upto 3 ml with methanol then 5 drops of concentrated HCl were added. Final step for esterification was to reflux for 6 hrs. After esterification, to 500 μl of sample, added 300 μl of distilled water and toluene, shaked well and centrifuged for 5 minutes. 1 μl of organic solvent was injected into packed column of GC. Standard curve of different FAs was determined using different concentrations: 100-1000 μM of oleic and palmitic acids. The conditions for GC were: 40-160 (10°C/min), 160-230 (5°C/min), 230-240 (1°C/min), and stable for 10 min at 240C.

Assessment of tissue biochemical parameters

The tissues were homogenized in 0.1 M tris buffer (pH 7.4) or 0.1 M phosphate buffer (for glutathione only) using teflon-glass homogenizer. The 10% liver homogenates were subjected for following tissue biochemical estimations:

Lipid per oxidation (TBARS)

Lipid per-oxidation was determined by measuring the amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA) produced primarily or thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), according to the modified method of Ohkawa et al[29]. Briefly, 0.2 ml of tissue homogenate, 0.2 ml of 8.1% sodium dodecyl sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate (SDS/SLS), 1.5 ml of 20% acetic acid and 1.5 ml of 8% TBA were added. The volume of the mixture was made up to 4 ml with distilled water and then heated at 95°C on a water bath for 60 min using glass balls as condenser. After incubation the tubes were cooled to room temperature the upper organic layer was taken and its OD read at 532 nm against an appropriate blank without the sample. The levels of lipid peroxides were expressed as nmoles of thiobarbituric acid reactive sub-stances (TBARS) nmol/mg of liver wt.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) [30]

The homogenate was added with equal volume of 20% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) containing 1 mM EDTA to precipitate the tissue proteins. The mixture was allowed to stand for 5 min prior to centrifugation for 10 min at 200 rpm. The supernatant (200 μl) was then transferred to a new set of test tubes and added 1.8 ml of the Ellman’s reagent (5, 5′-dithio bis- 2-nitrobenzoic acid) (0.1 mM) was prepared in 0.3 M phosphate buffer with 1% of sodium citrate solution). Then all the test tubes make upto the volume of 2 ml. After completion of the total reaction, the absorbance of the solutions was estimated at 412 nm against blank. The level of GSH was expressed as μmol/mg of liver wt.

Nitrite/nitrate level using Greiss reagent [31]

Tissue nitrite/nitrate was estimated using Greiss reagent which served as an indicator of nitric oxide production. An amount of 100 μl Greiss reagent (1:1 solution of 1% sulphanilamide in 5% phosphoric acid and 0.1% napthaylamine diamine dihydrochloric acid in water) was added to 100 μl of supernatant and absorbance was measured at 542 nm. Nitrite level was expressed as μmol/ mg of liver wt.

Histopathological study

The liver and fat depots were excised out, washed in ice-cold saline, blotted dry and preserved in 10% formalin solution. The histopathological study was done using hematoxylin and eosin stains and observed under microscope to assess changes in liver tissue and size of fat depots [32, 33].

Statistical analysis

The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) analyzed by one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test as post hoc analysis. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Extraction of plant materials

The yield of methanolic extract of B. ceiba Linn stem bark was found to be 4.69% w/w. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract showed the presence of carbohydrate, alkaloids, C-glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins glycoside, tannins, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoids constituents.

Acute toxicity study

B. ceiba extract at the doses of 50, 100, 300, 1000, 2000 mg/kg showed no significant physiological, behavioral and biochemical alterations and was found to be safe, and produced no toxic manifestation and mortality in rats. Hence, the plant extract in doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. was selected for further pharmacological investigations.

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on anthropometric parameters

The high fat diet treatment for 10 weeks caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in % body wt., BMI, Lee index, liver wt., wt. of fat depots and feed intake (kcal), and decrease in feed intake (g), as compared to normal control rats. Treatment with B. ceiba 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and gemfibrozil 50 mg/kg produced significant (p < 0.05) attenuation of these changes caused due to chronic HFD, as compared to HFD control. The effect produced by B. ceiba 200 and 400 mg/kg was significant greater (p < 0.05), as compared to Gem.50, in all these parameters except % body wt. and feed intake (g and kcal) (Figures 1, 2 and 3) (Table 1).

Figure 1
figure 1

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on body weight; Results were expressed as mean ± SD; a = p < 0.05 vs NC, b = p < 0.05 vs HFD control, c = p < 0.05 vs Gem.50 on respective week.

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Figure 2
figure 2

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on feed intake (g/100 g body wt); Results were expressed as mean ± SD; a = p < 0.05 vs NC, b = p < 0.05 vs HFD control, c = p < 0.05 vs Gem.50 on respective week.

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Figure 3
figure 3

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on feed intake (Kcal); Results were expressed as mean ± SD; a = p < 0 .05 vs NC, b = p < 0.05 vs HFD control, c = p < 0.05 vs Gem.50 on respective week.

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Table 1 Effect of various pharmacological interventions on anthropometric parameters and weights of fat pads and liver
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Effect of various pharmacological interventions on serum biochemical parameters

The high fat diet treatment for 10 weeks caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, total cholesterol, free fatty acid, ALT, AST, and decrease in HDL levels, as compared to rats fed on standard chow diet. Treatment with B. ceiba extract in three doses, and Gem.50 significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the increase in the levels of these serum markers, as compared to HFD control. The effect produced by B. ceiba 400 mg/kg was significantly greater than that of Gem-50, in all the parameters (Figure 4) (Table 2).

Figure 4
figure 4

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on free fatty acids; Results were expressed as mean ± SD; a = p < 0.05 vs NC, b = p < 0.05 vs HFD control, c = p < 0.05 vs Gem.50.

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Table 2 Effect of various pharmacological interventions on serum and tissue biochemical parameters
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Effect of various pharmacological interventions on tissue biochemical markers

HFD treatment for 10 weeks in HFD control rats caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in tissue TBARS, nitrate/nitrite, and decrease in glutathione levels, as compared to rats fed on standard chow diet. Treatment with B. ceiba extract 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and Gem.50 produced significant (p < 0.05) attenuation of these toxic changes produced by HFD in the dose dependent manner, as compared to HFD control rats. The effect produced by the plant extract 200 and 400 mg/kg was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that produced by Gem.50 in all the parameters (Table 2).

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on histology of liver and adipose tissue

High fat diet treatment for 10 weeks produced significant changes in hepatic tissue architecture such as micro & macro vascular steatosis, increased fatty infiltration, inflammation (over activation of kupffer cells), sinusoidal dilation, degeneration of central vein and vacuolization, as compared to normal liver histology. Treatment with B. ceiba 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly attenuated these effects of HFD, as compared to HFD control. Moreover, HFD treatment for 10 weeks produced significant increase in size of adipocytes: epididymal, retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat depots; as compared to rats fed on standard chow diet. Treatment with B. ceiba extract 200 and 400 mg/kg and Gem.50 significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the size of adipocytes, as compared to HFD control (Figures 5 and 6).

Figure 5
figure 5

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on histology of adipose tissues; (A) NC, (B) HFD, (C) B.C. 100, (D) B.C. 200, (E) B.C. 400 and (F) Gem.50.

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Figure 6
figure 6

Effect of various pharmacological interventions on histology of liver tissue; (A) NC, (B) HFD, (C) B.C. 100, (D) B.C. 200, (E) B.C. 400 and (F) Gem.50.

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Discussion

The present study demonstrated the anti-obesity effect of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba Linn. against high fat diet-induced obesity in Wistar rats. Gemfibrozil is a lipid lowering agent, involved in metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, as well as adipose tissue differentiation and thereby prevents HFD induced obesity in rodents [34], and thus was used as a standard in present study. The experimental reports revealed that the methanolic or hydro-alcoholic extract has marked affinity for the active phytoconstituents of B. ceiba. Hence, the methanolic extract was prepared using soxhlet extractor. Characterization of B. ceiba extract was done in terms of phytochemical screening which signifies the presence of alkaloids, glycosides (cardiac-, saponin- glycosides), tannins, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoids in extract. The plant extract may be standardized for the presence of active phytochemical leads through modern analytical tools: HPLC or HPTLC in future endeavors. The acute toxicity study as per OECD guidelines derives the safe use of medicinal agent and its effects on physiological processes inside the body. Safety assessment is preferred to start with the assessment of biological effects of any bioactive agent. In acute toxicity study, the B. ceiba extract was found to be safe and did not reveal any biological defect and mortality in rodents.

High fat diet induced obesity is a commonly used model for experimental obesity and closely resembles with the symptoms of obesity in humans. HFD induced obesity is characterized by dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, increased fat accumulation, impaired glucose metabolism, distinctive visceral adiposity, hyperinsulinemia and hepatic steatosis in rodents [35, 36]. In present study, high fat diet treatment for 10 weeks produced experimental obesity as evidenced by increased body weight, feed intake (Kcal), wt. of all fat depots, body mass index, Lee index, and decreased feed intake (g). Treatment with different doses of B. ceiba extract and standard drug (gemfibrozil) caused significant attenuation in these changes produced by HFD treatment. This effect may be due to the prevention of pathological mechanisms responsible for excessive fat accumulation, dyslipidemia and weight gain, possibly by increasing leptin sensitivity, providing anorexic effect, and increasing energy expenditure.

Lipogenesis up-regulation in HFD induced experimental obesity leads to elevated serum lipids [37] and decreased HDL levels in obese rats [36]. Further, it also produces hyperglycemia. The Free fatty acid level is reported to be increased during HFD induction [38]. It further caused liver damage and the increased level of hepatic serum markers like ALT and AST [39]. In present study, these serum markers have been modulated with chronic induction of HFD for 10 weeks as the markers of hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and liver toxicity. On treatment with three consecutive doses of B. ceiba extract and gemfibrozil significantly reversed the effects of HFD treatment on these serum parameters. This may be due to the inactivation of acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC), as a result of AMPK activation that mediates thermogenesis and FAS inhibition [15], which further inhibit the proximal and rate limiting steps of fatty acid oxidation [40]. This may derive the efficacy of B. ceiba’s to reduce circulating lipids, free fatty acids and thereby prevent fatty liver [41].

The increased fatty acid levels in chronically HFD fed rats is a characteristic marker caused due to the dysregulation of insulin and leptin signaling and stimulation of PTP-1B. These processes may be arrested by the administration of B. ceiba extract in rats and hence corrected the pharmacological interventions underlying the HFD induced obesity, as evidenced by the concentration of fatty acid content in biological fluid. These observations may be supported by the literatures revealing the efficacy of flavonoids isolated from B. ceiba extract having FAS inhibitory activity [15]. Moreover, the Lupeol, a triterpenoid, is a major constituent of stem bark of B. ceiba has inhibitory effect on PTP-1B, and thereby prevents TG synthesis and accumulation of lipids in adipocytes [16]. On the basis of the observations, it may be hypothesized that there is a possible modulation of FAS and PTP-1B signaling in protective effect of B. ceiba extract against HFD induced obesity and this may be due to the potency and efficacy of reported active phytoconstituents present in it.

Oxidative stress is greatly increased on the treatment with high fat diet in the form of enhanced lipid peroxidation reactions and depletion of tissue antioxidant like GSH; and higher nitrostative stress, in men [39]. In present study, increased TBARS and nitrite/nitrate, and decreased GSH levels confirm the role of oxidative and nitrostative stresses. Treatment with B. ceiba extract 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly attenuated these HFD induced oxidative/nitrosative stress, and this effect was more pronounced, in comparison to standard drug: gemfibrozil. Moreover, another report documented the free radical scavenging property of B. ceiba[13]. Therefore, the anti-oxidative efficacy of B. ceiba may contribute for the amelioration of experimental obesity and hepatic insufficiencies in rats. In most of the pharmacological assessments, the biological efficacy of B. ceiba extract was more pronounced as compared to the standard drug: Gemfibrozil. These findings may infer that the methanolic extract of B. ceiba contain active phytoconstituents in higher concentration or acting synergistically to attain potent biological efficacy which was comparable to that of gemfibrozil. The future studies may lend support for the biological potency of isolated active phytoconstituentss like Lupeol, Shamimin etc of B. ceiba in sub-maximal therapeutic dosage and their comparative safe evaluation with reported lipid lowering agent. The findings of present investigation signifies the use of low dose of active phytoconstituent isolated from B. ceiba as much effective and may be devoid of any toxic effect on chronic administration in comparison to the reported lipid lowering agent.

Hepatic steatosis is a common consequence of obesity, and its prevalence [39] has been further characterized with hepatic fat accumulation and increase in size and wt of adipose masses in the body [42]. By increased liver steatosis, fatty infiltration, inflammation through Kupffer cell activation and size of adipose tissues epididymal, peritoneal, mesenteric fat depots and histological characteristics in present study as also observed in histological imagining. Various doses of B. ceiba and standard drug significantly reversed the effect of HFD on liver adipose tissues and liver steatosis, liver weight and adipose tissue size was increased during HFD treatment. Moreover extent of tissue architecture damage due to chronic HFD treatment was prevented by B. ceiba ext. effectively.

Therefore, in present study, the observed decrease in free fatty acid level may be due to the inhibition of FAS activity and TG synthesis, and PTP-1B activity. The antioxidant effect may also contribute to the anti-obesity potential of Bombax ceiba Linn. in Wistar rats.

Conclusion

The results obtained in present study may conclude that the extract of stem bark of Bombax ceiba Linn. has significant anti-obesity potential against HFD induced experimental obesity, possibly due to modulation of FAS and PTP-1B signaling in Wistar rats due to the presence of active flavanoids and lupeol respectively.