Modulatory effects of ixora coccinea flower on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in mice.

The active fraction of Ixora coccinea flowers showed chemoprotective effects on cyclophosphamide - induced toxicity by increasing the life span of treated mice, preventing body weight loss and maintaining near normal leucocyte and haemoglobin levels compared with cyclophosphamide treated controls. Decreased serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAKP) levels in the Ixora coccinea treated groups indicated protection against hepatic toxicity. The active fraction was identified by phytochemical methods as the triterpenoid, ursolic acid. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.