Estrogenic and Anti-prostatitis Activities of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn (Malvaceae) Stem Bark Aqueous Extract in Wistar Rats
TL;DR
AECP exhibits significant estrogenic and anti-prostatitis activities in Wistar rats, validating its traditional medicinal use.
Abstract
Background: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn stem bark is used traditionally for reproductive and inflammatory disorders, but its estrogenic and anti-prostatitis activities lack scientific validation.Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents, estrogenic activity, and anti-inflammatory potential of C. pentandra aqueous stem-bark extract (AECP) in Wistar rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening used standard assays. Estrogenic activity was evaluated via the 3-day OECD 440 uterotrophic bioassay in ovariectomized rats (200 and 400 mg/kg/day p.o. vs. 17β-estradiol 10 µg/kg). Anti-inflammatory efficacy was assessed in male rats with intraprostatic carrageenan-induced prostatitis (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg p.o. vs. diclofenac 5 mg/kg), determining prostatic index and hematology at 24 h. Results: AECP contained polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenes/steroids (alkaloids absent). In ovariectomized rats, AECP (400 mg/kg) significantly increased relative uterine weight from 0.0418 ± 0.0026% to 0.0676 ± 0.0080% (p<0.02; +61.7%) without adrenal hypertrophy. In prostatitis, AECP (400 and 600 mg/kg) reduced the carrageenan-elevated prostatic index from 4.212 to 2.850 and 2.649 mg/g (p<0.001), comparable to diclofenac (2.318 mg/g). AECP (600 mg/kg) also normalized leukocytosis (from 9.967 to 3.400 × 10³/µL). Conclusion: AECP exhibits significant estrogenic and anti-prostatitis activities in Wistar rats, validating its traditional medicinal use.