Shalmali (Bombax ceiba): Versatility in its therapeutics

Abstract

The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day-To-day practice. Shalmali is a well-known plant used in the traditional system for treatment of many diseases. The therapeutic activity of Shalmali is partly due to the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, sesquiterpenoids, shamimicin, bombamalosides, bombamalones, bombasin, bombasin 4-o-glucoside, and bombalin. In the present review, efforts have been made to recapitulate different aspects of scientific studies on the Shalmali such as ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and mainly the pharmacological activities. In vitro and in vivo studies, for various pharmacological activities of the Shalmali, for example, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, immunemodulatory, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and analgesic have been demonstrated.

Full text

International Journal of Green Pharmacy • Jul-Sep 2017 (Suppl) • 11 (3) | S401
Shalmali (Bombax ceiba): Versatility in its
therapeutics
Vandana Meena, Anand K. Chaudhary
Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences,
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their
day-to-day practice. Shalmali is a well-known plant used in the traditional system for treatment of many diseases.
The therapeutic activity of Shalmali is partly due to the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, sesquiterpenoids,
shamimicin, bombamalosides, bombamalones, bombasin, bombasin 4-o-glucoside, and bombalin. In the present
review, efforts have been made to recapitulate different aspects of scientific studies on the Shalmali such as
ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and mainly the pharmacological activities. In vitro and in vivo studies, for
various pharmacological activities of the Shalmali, for example, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic,
anti-inflammatory, immunemodulatory, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and analgesic have been
demonstrated.
Key words: Antimicrobial, antioxidant, Bombax ceiba, Salmalia malabarica, Semal, Shalmali
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Vandana Meena, Department of Rasa Shastra and
Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute
of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi - 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
E-mail: vandanameena.bhu@gmail.com
Received: 13-06-2017
Revised: 10-07-2017
Accepted: 03-08-2017
INTRODUCTION
Bombaxmal baricum DC syn., Salmalia
malabarica Schott. and Endl., and
Bombax ceiba Linn. belong to the
family Bombacaceae. It is known by different
names such as red cotton tree, Indian kapok tree
(English), Shalmali (Sanskrit), semal (Hindi),
shimul (Bengali), mullilavu (Malayalam), and
kondabruga (Telugu) in different languages.[1]
It is a deciduous tree attaining a height up to
40 meters and a girth up to 6 meter or more.
In India, it is distributed throughout the hotter
parts of the country up to 1500 meter or more.[2]
Its young stem and branches are covered with
stout and hard prickles, its leaves are large,
spreading, glabrous, and digitate, leaf lets are
5-7, lanceolate, and 10-20 cm long, and its
flowers are numerous, large, fleshy, bright
crimson, yellow, or orange containing many
seeds with long, dense, silky hairs.[3] It has
number of traditional uses, and its medicinal
usage has been reported in the Indian traditional
systems of medicine. According to Ayurveda,
it has stimulant, astringent, hemostatic,
aphrodisiac, diuretic, antidiarrheal, cardiotonic,
emetic, demulcent, antidysenteric, and
antipyretic properties.[4,5]
The root of Shalmali is sweet, cooling,
stimulant, restorative, astringent, aphrodisiac,
demulcent, emetic, and tonic. It is used in the treatment of
diarrhea, dysentery, menorrhagia, and for wounds. The gum
is cooling, astringent, stimulant, aphrodisiac, tonic, and
demulcent in nature. It is useful in dysentery, hemoptysis
and pulmonary tuberculosis, influenza, burning sensation,
menorrhagia, and enteritis. Bark is mucilaginous, demulcent,
emetic, and tonic. Flowers are astringent and good for
skin troubles and hemorrhoids. Seeds are useful in treating
gonorrhea and chronic cystitis. A paste made out of prickles
is good for restoring skin color, especially applied on the
face. Young fruits are useful in calculus affections, chronic
inflammations, and ulceration of the bladder and kidney.[6]
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The following are the process and eligibility criteria for
the inclusion of data pertaining to this review: Information
extracted from various Ayurvedic treatises, text books of
REVIEW ARTICLE

Meena and Chaudhary: Shalmali: Its therapeutics uses
International Journal of Green Pharmacy • Jul-Sep 2017 (Suppl) • 11 (3) | S402
Ayurvedic and modern pharmaceutics, pharmacopoeias
(Ayurvedic formulary of India, Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia
of India), and available dissertations/thesis were also
investigated. A search was undertaken in Google scholar,
MEDSCAPE, Science Direct, Medline (www.pubmed.com)/
pubmed database, SCOPEMED, and other relevant databases,
using keywords like Bombax malbaricum, S. malabarica,
Bombex ceiba, Shalmali, Semal, etc.
Traditional Uses
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine, describes the
excellence of plants by combining both the pharmacognosy
(properties) and pharmacology (action). These traditional
parameters reflect not only the quality but also efficacy of
the plants. Some of its medicinal uses and formulations as
mentioned in Ayurveda are being described here.
Charak samhita
Semal has been described among top ten drugs used as styptic,
bowel regulator, and tissue regenerator in Ayurveda. Pedicel/
petiole of the plant or gum is used as enema in ulcerative
colitis and dysentery.[7,8]
Sushruta samhita
Stem bark is said to be useful in hemorrhagic disorders,
wound healing, removing pimples/acne, and have a
cooling effect in burning sensations. It is also used in
hyperpigmentation, wounds, burns, and stomatitis as a
topical therapeutic agent.[9]
Ashtang hridya
Mocharasa of the plant is widely used in various Ayurvedic
formulations for tissue regeneration, wound healing, and
antidysenteric effects.[10]
Bhava prakash
Powder of root (Semal-musli) with sugar is considered to
be a good aphrodisiac. Root is also considered to possess
antiaging, anabolic, and nutritive properties. Paste of leaves
is applied in arthritis and on glandular swellings. Flowers
of B. ceiba with seeds of Papaver somniferum, sugar,
and milk is prescribed to cure piles. Gum (Mocharasa)
of the plant is cold in potency, absorbent, demulcent,
aphrodisiac, and astringent in taste and cures dysentery,
diarrhea, retained undigested food, burning sensation,
various menstrual diseases, and diseases of Kapha, Pitta,
and Rakta.[11]
Dravyaguna vijnana
A traditional formulation “Shalmali ghrita” prepared with
flowers of B. ceiba is used as Pramehagna and to cure
polyurea, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea, and menorrhagia.[12]
Indian Material Medica
In painful micturition, a preparation called Trinetra rasa is
given with a decoction in milk made of juice of Cynodon
dactylon, liquorice root, gum of Bombex Malabaricum, and
Tribulus terrestris.[13]
Dose of Different Parts
Ayurveda describes the therapeutic doses of its various parts
as follows: 5-10 g (Stem-bark, Root); 1-3 g (Fruit); 10-20 g
(Flower); and 1-2 g of Gum.[14]
Panchrasa of shalmali[11]
In Bhava prakash, there is mention about the Panchrasa of
Shalmali [Table 1].
Phytochemical Studies
Many chemical compounds have been isolated from
different parts of B. ceiba. These belong mostly to phenolics,
flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, steroids, naphthoquinones,
and neolignans. A total of 16 compounds have been isolated
from root, 8 from root bark, 3 from stem bark, 3 from heart
wood, 2 from leaves, 78 from flowers, 19 from seeds, and
11 from gum. Many compounds have been isolated from its
various parts, out of which the novel ones are shamimicin,
bombamalosides, bombamalones, bombasin, bombasin
4-o-glucoside, and bombalin which have been isolated first
time from any plant species.[15] In a preliminary phytochemical
study, roots have shown the presence of flavonoids, tannins,
saponins, steroids, cardiac-glycosides, and phenols besides
carbohydrates and amino acids.[16] The stem-bark contains
Shamimicin, a flavanoid which was screened for its
Table 1: Panchrasa of Shalmali
Parameters Values Modern
terminology
Rasa (taste) Madhur
Kashayam
Sweet
Astringent
Guna (properties) Laghu
Snigdha
Picchila
Light
Unctuous
Sticky
Virya (potency) Sheeta Cooling
Vipaka (post
digestive effect)
Madhura Sweet
Karma (action) Shothahara
Kaphavardhak
Vedanasthapana
Dahaprashamana
Grahi
Vrishya
Rasayani
Kashahar
Raktarodhak
Anti‑inflmmatory
Expectorant
Analgesic
Refrigerant
Astringent
Virility promoter
Lymphatics
Thirst controller
Hemostatic

Meena and Chaudhary: Shalmali: Its therapeutics uses
International Journal of Green Pharmacy • Jul-Sep 2017 (Suppl) • 11 (3) | S403
hypotensive activity in animal model.[17] Methanolic extract of
leaves has demonstrated presence of steroids, carbohydrates,
tannins, triterpenoids, deoxy-sugar, flavonoids, and coumarin
glycosides.[18] Flowers have been shown to containthe β-d-
glucoside of β-sitosterol, free β-sitosterol, hentriacontane,
hentriacontanol, traces of an essential oil, kaempferol, and
quercetin.[19] Gum of B. ceiba contains a mixture of various
sugars and gallic and tannic acids.[20,21]
Scientific Validation of Traditional Uses
We have tried to collect references of all recent researches
which are validating claims of classical trends of therapeutics
of Shalmali.
Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Activity
Plant extracts (acetone, methanol, and aqueous) were assayed
for their activity against multidrug-resistant Salmonella
typhii.[22] Methanolic and aqueous extract of stem-bark has
also shown strong antibacterial activity against multidrug-
resistant S. typhi strains. Mangiferin isolated from ethanolic
extract has antibacterial potential and also inhibited growth
of Candida albicans.[23]
Antioxidant Activity
Methanolic extract of whole plant material of B. ceiba showed
1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging
activity with an IC50 of 68 µg/ml.[24] Total phenolic content of the
gum was found to be 5.89 gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry
weight (DW). Gum has shown 55.38 µmol TEAC/100 g DW in
2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay and
80.12 µmol TEAC/100 g DW in DPPH assay, whereas ferric
reducing ability of plasma assay has shown value of 9.06 µmol
TEAC/100 g DW.[25] Flowers of B. malabaricum have excellent
natural antioxidant activities compared with ascorbic/gallic
acid.[26] Methanolic extract of fresh leaves of B. ceiba and tested
it with its acetyl group, cinnamoyl group, and methyl derivatives,
it was found that methyl derivative of mangiferin was devoid
of DPPH radical scavenging activity even at concentration
of 200 μg/ml suggesting that the presence of methoxy group
abolishes the antioxidant activity.[27] In another study, methanolic
extract of roots of B. malabaricum was evaluated using DPPH
radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay.[16]
Cancer Cell Growth Inhibition
Flowers of B. ceiba showed antioxidant effects and
antiproliferative activity against seven human cancer cell
lines (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 [MCF-7]), HeLa
Henrietta Lacks), COR-L23, C32, A375, ACHN, and LNCaP
cells).[28]
Antiangiogenic Activity
B. malabaricum stem bark’s methanolic extract was found
to exhibit a significant antiangiogenic activity on tube
formation of human umbilical venous endothelial cells
(HUVEC). Lupeol is a component of fractionated product of
the extract showed a marked inhibitory activity on HUVEC
tube formation while it did not affect the growth of tumor cell
lines such as SK-MEL-2, A549, and B16-F10 melanoma.[29]
Hepatoprotective Activity
In one of the studies, it was proved that the methanolic extract
of flowers of B. ceiba causes signifcant decrease in alkaline
phosphates, alanine transaminases, aspartate transaminases,
and total bilirubin levels but increases in the level of total
protein in comparison to control.[30]
Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Activity
N-hexane fraction from hydromethanolic extract of S. malabarica
significantly decreases in the levels of serum total cholesterol,
triglyceride, phospholipids, free fatty acid. low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very LDL-C (VLDL-C)
and increases in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.[31]
Inhibitory Effects on Fatty Acid Synthesis (FAS)
FAS had been found to be over express and hyperactive in
most cancers. Pharmacological inhibitors of FAS activity
preferentially repress cancer cell proliferation and induce cancer
cell apoptosis without affecting non-malignant fibroblasts.
These made FAS an excellent drug target for cancer therapy. The
cancer cell A549 was used as a cell model to test the inhibitory
effort of flavonoid extracts of S. malabarica on FAS.[32,33]
Protective Effect in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The Mocha rasa of Shalmali is known to contain large
amounts of tannic and gallic acids acting as astringents which
precipitate proteins which helpful in restoring the damaged
epithelial mucosal lining of the ulcerated mucosa.[34,35]
Aphrodisiac
Young roots of B. ceiba also known as Semal-musli are used
traditionally in Indian subcontinent as aphrodisiac. Its juice
is considered nutritive, restorative, and sexual stimulant.
The lyophilized aqueous extract of roots on sexual behavior,
spermatogenesis, and anabolic effects in male albino rats in
presence of female rats. A gain in body weight was achieved
and significant improvement in mount, intromission, and
ejaculation frequencies. Seminal fructose content and
epididymal sperm counts were also significantly improved.[36]

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Anti-obesity
The extract of stem bark of B. ceiba has significant anti-obesity
potential against high-fat diet-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.[37]
Analgesic Effect
Methanolic extract of B. ceiba leaves, its fractions, and
mangiferin induced a significant and dose-dependent
analgesic effect in acetic acid writhing and hot plate test.[38]
Anti-acne Effect
Thorn of Salamalia malabarica Schott. and Endlhas been
employed to treat acne of the face. The alcoholic extract
of bark and thorns posses very good anti-acne potential
against Propionibacterium acne with minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) of 250 µg/ml while MIC value of leaf
was 500 µg/ml which was better as compared to MIC of
standard clindamycin. All three extracts have been reduced
P. acne-induced granulomatous inflammation on rats.[39]
The thorns of S. malabarica are an important ingredient
of Himalaya, “Acne-N-Pimple Cream” is a polyherbal
formulation recommended for the management of acne
vulgaris. The study on cream observed significant reduction
in the number of blackheads and whiteheads, in number of
inflamed pustules and overall inflammation. “Acne-N-Pimple
Cream” is clinically effective and safe in the management of
acne vulgaris.[40]
Cardioprotective Effect
Root powder of this plant i.e., B. ceiba significantly modifies
the coronary risk factors such as atherogenic lipids, fibrinogen,
and oxidative stress in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Moreover it has been reported with its antioxidant activity due
to high amounts of phenolics and tannins.[41,42]
DISCUSSION
B. ceiba, the Indian red kapok tree, is an important
multipurpose tree species and has been proved to be a nature’s
boon for human welfare. Every part of this plant is use for
many purposes in classics. On B. ceiba, many research works
were carried out that resulted in exploration of many novel
chemical compounds as well as validation of its traditional
uses in many diseases. Phytochemically, it is enriched with
flavonoids, phenolics, and sesquiterpenoids, but some novel
compounds have been isolated from it such as bombamaloside,
bombamalones, bombasin, bombalin, and shamimicin These
phytochemical is responsible for pharmacological action such
as hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anabolic and
fibrinolysis enhancing activities, and many others. Different
parts of B. ceiba have shown to possess many biological
properties predominantly antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-
inflammatory, analgesic, anabolic, hepatoprotective,
hypotensive, and hypoglycemic activities. The antidiabetic
efficacy of the plant extract may be explained in two ways.
One is the indirect pathway through which the phytomolecule
may stimulate the existing β cell or regenerate the β cell for the
recovery in serum insulin along with protection of oxidative
injury. Another is the direct way where the phytoingredients
present that there may inhibit enzymes such as α glycosidase
that may interfere with the glucose production in the gastro
intestinal tract from complex carbohydrates.[43] However,
there is some need of future development and there is need of
further validation in large-scale, placebo-controlled, double-
blind, multi-centered, cross-over studies with a large number
of patients for long duration should be carried out to establish
its biological activities. There is also need of standardization,
quality control, and their implementation for preserving.
Extracts prepared from its various parts should be standardized
with the help of modern techniques for quality assurance and
control. The plant is used for so many purposes which may
threaten future sustainability of the plant. Therefore, there
is urgent need to develop conservation techniques and the
implementation for preserving this important plant species.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of all available classical and contemporary
references, we may conclude that all medicinal values of
Shalmali are true in nature. The pharmacological studies had
validated potency of this plant against diseases. The presence
of potent active chemical constituents indicates that Shalmali
could serve as “lead compound” for development of novel
medicines.
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Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared.