To Develop Formulation and Evaluation of Bombax Ceiba Flowers Avaleha

Plants are often referred to as nature’s biochemical laboratories due to their ability to synthesize a wide range of compounds. While they produce essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids necessary for human nutrition, they also generate a variety of secondary metabolites, such as glycosides, alkaloids, and tannins. These secondary compounds often exhibit significant therapeutic properties. Bombax ceiba is one such medicinal plant that has gained attention for its multiple health benefits. Research has shown that extracts from Bombax ceiba possess anti-diabetic properties, primarily due to their inhibitory effect on digestive enzymes such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. Particularly, extracts from the plant's flowers and thalamus show higher inhibition in comparison to other solvent extracts^[1].

For centuries, plants have played a crucial role in traditional medicine systems around the world. Due to increasing global interest in natural remedies, there is growing demand for plant-derived health products such as medicines, supplements, and cosmetics. Bombax ceiba Linn. (family: Bombacaceae), a large deciduous tree found in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, is traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments. Almost all parts of this plant—including roots, bark, gum, leaves, flowers, and seeds—are known for their therapeutic uses. Literature reports suggest that this plant has astringent, cooling, stimulant, diuretic, aphrodisiac, and tonic properties. It has also shown potential in managing dysentery^[2].

Furthermore, Bombax ceiba has demonstrated numerous pharmacological activities. These include anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-HIV, and anti-Helicobacter pylori actions. Its extracts are known to contain beneficial compounds like naphthol derivatives, polysaccharides, anthocyanins, shamimin, and lupeol.

One of the primary uses of this plant is in combating helminthic infections, which are caused by parasitic worms affecting the gastrointestinal system and other organs. Conditions such as roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm infections can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Conventional anthelmintic drugs, while effective, often come with adverse effects such as headaches, loss of appetite, hair loss, and drug resistance upon prolonged use.

Considering these challenges, the exploration of plant-based alternatives for deworming is both timely and necessary. Herbal formulations may offer safer, more accessible, and cost-effective treatment options with minimal side effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 75% of the world’s population relies on traditional herbal remedies to meet their healthcare needs, emphasizing the importance of developing plant-based anthelmintic agents^[3]. Among its many pharmacological benefits, Bombax ceiba is especially noted for its antiparasitic (anthelmintic) potential. Moreover, ongoing studies continue to highlight its anti-inflammatory action. The present study aims to investigate these properties in detail.

Phytochemical Constituents

Bombax ceiba flower extracts contain important compounds:

• Polyphenols: Highest in ethanol and water extracts.
• Flavonoids: Found in ethyl acetate, hexane, and acetone extracts.
• Tannins: Most concentrated in water extracts.
• Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Activity

• Antioxidant: Ethanol and water extracts show strong free radical scavenging (antioxidant) activity.
• Anti-inflammatory: Ethyl acetate extract significantly inhibits nitric oxide, showing good anti-inflammatory potential^[4]

About Avaleha & Its Importance

1. Avaleha is a semi-solid Ayurvedic formulation made by boiling herbs and mixing with jaggery or honey.
2. It enhances absorption and taste, making it both therapeutic and palatable.
3. In this study, Bombax ceiba was used due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
4. The formulation helps in boosting health and managing common infections naturally.

PLANT PROFILE

• Plant Name: Bombax ceiba
• Scientific Name: Ceiba pentandra Linn
• Common Name: Red Silk Cotton Tree
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Malvales
• Family: Malvaceae
• Genus: Bombax
• Species: B. ceiba
• Binomial Name: Bombax ceiba Linn.,
• Synonym: Salmalia malabarica

Fig. 01: Bombax Ceiba Flowers

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT

Bombax ceiba is a tall deciduous tree that typically grows up to 20 meters in height, although older trees can reach as much as 60 meters. It thrives in tropical climates. In its younger stages, the trunk and branches bear sharp conical spines which gradually wear off with age. The leaves are compound and palmate, generally made up of six leaflets that radiate from the tip of the petiole. These leaflets range in size from 7–10 cm in width and 13–15 cm in length, with smaller ones ranging from 5 to 6 cm.

Its petiole (leaf stalk) can extend up to 20 cm (8 inches), while the tree’s flowers, either solitary or in small clusters, appear at the tips or sides of the branches. When in bloom, the tree sheds its leaves, showcasing bright red flowers. The petals, which can reach up to 12 cm in length, are cup-shaped with three to five lobes. Each lobe measures approximately 3–5 cm in diameter. The stamens are grouped into five clusters, each containing more than 60 stamens. The style measures about 9 cm long, and the stigma is deep red. The ovary is pink in color, measuring about 1.5–2 cm in length and covered with fine white hairs.

Fruits are elongated, oval-shaped capsules containing numerous seeds enveloped in a silky white fiber. Each fruit grows to about 13 cm in length. The unripe fruit is greenish, turning brown as it matures. This species is commonly found in countries across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. It is frequently planted along roadsides and in public gardens due to its vibrant red flowers, which bloom from March to April.

PHYTOCONSTITUENTS

Bombax ceiba is rich in a variety of phytochemicals that contribute to its medicinal properties. These include: Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Carotenoids, Coumarins, Saponins, Tannins, Phenolic acids, Isoflavones, Lignans, Anthraquinones, Procyanidins, Stilbenoids, Ginsenosides, and others.

These compounds exhibit several pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, making the plant highly beneficial for herbal drug formulations.

Phytochemicals in the Leaves: Preliminary screening of Bombax ceiba leaves confirms the presence of glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, and proteins. Specifically, the leaves have been found to contain flavonol C-glycoside and shamimin, a known bioactive constituent^[10,11].

Phytochemicals in the Flowers: The flowers of Bombax ceiba contain complex polysaccharides. These include chains of β(1→4)-linked D-galactopyranose and β(1→3)-linked L-arabinopyranose units, which are further connected to terminal sugars like α-linked D-galactose, α-linked L-rhamnose, and L-arabinose. These sugar chains are considered valuable for their biological functions^[13]

Phytochemicals in the Seeds: Seeds of Bombax ceiba yield significant bioactive compounds such as N-hexacosanol and palmitic acid. In addition, the seed oil has been found to contain phytosterols, stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and enzymes like lipase^[12].

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES

1. Traditionally used to reduce symptoms of nausea, hyperacidity, dyspepsia, flatulence, and vomiting.
2. Possesses anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) activity, particularly effective against intestinal worms.
3. Applied in the treatment of skin-related conditions and infections.
4. The bark is boiled and consumed as a decoction to manage fever.
5. Widely used in managing diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis, urinary infections, nocturnal emissions, and impotency.
6. Decoction of the bark is also used as a natural remedy for constipation^[14,16]

METHODOLOGY

• pH Determination

The pH of the Avaleha was measured using a benchtop digital pH meter.

• Raw Material Testing

Ash Value: Refers to the inorganic residue left after ignition of the sample. For Avaleha preparations, this should not exceed 2% as per Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia standards.

Loss on Drying: This test determines the moisture content by heating the sample until a constant weight is achieved. It reflects the percentage of water and volatile matter present in the sample.

EXTRACTIVE VALUES

1. Alcoholic Extract Procedure: The powdered plant material is soaked in ethanol. After 24 hours, the mixture is filtered using standard filtration methods (filter paper and funnel).The clear filtrate is then separated and used for analysis^[17]

Fig 02: Bombax ceiba in alcoholic extract

2. Aqueous Extract Procedure: 100 ml of distilled water is mixed with 2 g of Bombax ceiba powder.The mixture is heated for 30 minutes in a water bath.After cooling, it is filtered and used for further tests^[17]

Fig 03: Bombax ceiba in Water extract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCONSTITUENT EVALUATION

• Tests for Alkaloids

a) Wagner’s Test: A small amount of extract was treated with 3–5 drops of Wagner’s reagent (a mixture of iodine and potassium iodide). The appearance of a reddish-brown precipitate indicated the presence of alkaloids.

b) Mayer’s Test: Few drops of Mayer’s reagent were added to 1 mL of the extract. Formation of a pale yellow precipitate confirmed the presence of alkaloids.

c) Dragendorff’s Test: The extract was treated with Dragendorff’s reagent. A reddish or orange precipitate suggested alkaloid content.

d) Hager’s Test: The extract was tested with Hager’s reagent. A yellow precipitate indicated the presence of alkaloids^[11,17].

• Tests for Carbohydrates

a) Molisch’s Test: A drop of alcoholic α-naphthol was added to the extract. When concentrated sulfuric acid was gently added along the sides of the test tube, a violet ring formed at the interface, indicating carbohydrates.

b) Benedict’s Test: The extract was treated with Benedict’s reagent and gently heated in a water bath. Formation of a brick-red or orange precipitate confirmed the presence of reducing sugars.

c) Fehling’s Test: Equal parts of Fehling’s solution A and B were mixed with the extract and heated. A red precipitate signified the presence of sugars^[11,17].

PHARMACEUTICAL EVALUATIONS

Method of Preparation of Avaleha:

The Avaleha was prepared by first collecting fresh Bombax ceiba flowers, washing them thoroughly, and drying them in shade for several days. Once completely dry, the flowers were ground into a fine powder.

To prepare the Avaleha, 20 g of Bombax ceiba flower powder was mixed with 100 g of jaggery. The mixture was heated gently to achieve a uniform blend. Flavoring agents such as cardamom, clove, and beetroot (as a natural coloring agent) were added to improve taste and appearance. Heating continued until a thick, semi-solid consistency was achieved. The final product was then allowed to cool and stored in an airtight container^[18].

Evaluation Parameters:

1. pH: The formulation showed a neutral pH, indicating it is gentle for internal use.

2. Moisture Content: Moisture levels were determined to assess the stability of the product. According to comparative studies, Avaleh prepared using Humdard brand (15.29%) had the lowest moisture content, followed by Himani Sonachandi (16.71%) and Dabur (17.28%).

Formula used:

Moisture Content (%) = (W − d) / W × 100

Where:

W = Weight before drying

d = Weight after drying

3. Spoon Test: The Avaleha passed the spoon test, showing it retained proper semi-solid consistency and stickiness, indicating correct preparation. It has become a popular choice, especially during the pandemic, as a natural health-supporting formulation free from harmful additives^[18].

Fig 04: Spoon Test

After determination of extractive value of different value of different samples of Avaleha these extracts were further dissolved in 0.5 ml of their respective solvents and 10 microlitre of each sample was applied on thin layer chromatography plates manually. With the help of TLC chamber, the TLC patterns were observed in 0the solvent system

(a) toluene: ethyl acetate: methanol 80:20:10 and solvent system.

(b) Methanol, 12. The chromatograms were visualized under 254 nm and 365 nm^[19]

Rf value is the ratio of distance travelled by solute and distance travelled by solvent.

R_f = distance travelled by solute / distance travelled by solvent.

Standard R_f value = 0.75

Fig.05:TLC for Avaleha

RESULTS

PHARMACEUTICAL PROPERTIES

Table no. 01:Organoleptic properties of formulation

Table no. 02: Physicochemical properties of Bombax Ceiba.

Table no. 03:Pharmaceutical parameters of  in- house formulation.

Table no. 04:Thin Layer Chromatography of Bombax Ceiba flower for Avaleha.

Table no. 05:Physicochemical Screening of Bombax Ceiba

Sr. No.	Plant Constituents	Test Regent	Aqueous Extract	Ethanolic Extract	Diagrams
1.	Alkaloids	Dragendorff’s reagent Wagner’s reagent Mayer’s reagent Hager’s reagent	+ + + +	+ + + +	Fig 06: Alkaloids
2.	Carbohydrates	Molish’s test 2.  Fehling’s test	+ +	+ +	Fig 07: Carbohydrates
3.	Tannins	1.  Ferric chloride test 2.  Led acecate test	+ +	+ +	Fig 08: Tannins
4.	Flavonoids	Shinoda test	+	+	Fig 09: Flavonoids
5.	Proteins	Biuret reagent	+	+	Fig 10: Proteins
6.	Ammonia	Ninhydrin	+	+	Fig 11: Ammonia

(+) indicate Test positive & (-) indicate Test negative.