Bombax ceiba calyces regulate carbohydrate and lipid digesting enzyme’s actions, display insulin sensitizing and antioxidant activities in vitro: A nutritional and phytochemicals examination

Abstract

Calyces of Bombax ceiba (Śālmali, शाल्मली) are used as vegetable by traditional Indian folks. However, scientific investigations for this vegetable are not available in literature. This research presents nutritional and phytochemicals composition in raw calyxes’ powder and antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, insulin-sensitizing and, antioxidant properties in aqueous methanolic extract of calyx applying various in vitro methods. Calyx powder displayed rich source of macro- and micronutrients with energy value 322 Kcal. /100gm. Aqueous methanol extract of calyces exhibited potent antihyperglycemic activities by inhibiting pancreatic α-amylase, antihyperlipidemic by inhibiting pancreatic lipase and insulin sensitizing property by inhibiting PTP1β. It was potent scavenger of chemical and physiological free radicals and, presented antioxidant activities preventing H₂O₂ induced erythrocytes membrane lipid peroxidation and hemolysis. It also prevented H₂O₂ induced genomic DNA damage. The calyx powder presented 979µg/100gm total antioxidant value. This is the first report presenting nutritional, phytochemical composition and biological activities in B. ceiba calyx.