Repeat oral dose safety study of standardized methanolic extract of Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin in rats

Abstract

The oleo gum resin of Boswellia sacra Fleuck. (Burseraceae) is widely consumed for treatment of several diseases and disorders. To determine the effect of repeated administration of this resin on liver and kidney functions, three different doses of standardized methanolic extract were administered orally to rats for 28 days. Apart from histological studies and determination of biomarkers of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, other parameters of sub-chronic toxicity such as behavioral change, food consumption and change in body weight were assessed. The extract contained about 36.91% of total boswellic acids; of which 11-keto beta boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto beta boswellic acid, boswellic acids (α and β) and acetyl boswellic acid (α and β) were found to be 5.81%, 1.91%, 21.92% and 7.27% respectively. Oral administration of the extract for 28 consecutive days did not show any sign of behavioral toxicity and did not affect food consumption or weight gain significantly. Determination of biomarkers of hepatic and nephrotoxicity revealed that extract was safe at the tested doses as it did not produce any significant change in the studied biomarkers except producing a dose dependent increase in serum total protein levels. The histological examination supported biochemical findings. To conclude, methanolic extract of Boswellia sacra doen not produce any significant toxicity to liver and kidney up to doses of 100 mg/kg body weight. The results contradict earlier reports that members of boswellia species produce organ toxicity in rats.

Boswellic acids/Boswellia serrata extract as a potential COVID-19 therapeutic agent in the elderly

“…In mice, no death was recorded following the single-dose administration of B. serrata extract at a dose of up to 5 g/kg (Gomaa et al 2019 ). Oral administration of the extract for 28 consecutive days did not exhibit any sign of behavioral toxicity and did not show significant changes of biomarkers of hepatic and renal functions as well as the histological characters in rats (Al-Yahya et al 2020 ). Moreover, Alluri et al ( 2019 ) demonstrated that repeated oral dose of B. serrata extract for 28 days in Wistar rats did not show dose-related signs of toxicity on the hematology, clinical chemistry, mutagenic, and clastogenic parameters.…”

Ameliorative Effects of Boswellic Acid on Fipronil-Induced Toxicity: Antioxidant State, Apoptotic Markers, and Testicular Steroidogenic Expression in Male Rats

“…The anti-aggregatory effect of boswellic acid in high-fat fed rats found a variation in the boswellic acid in a dose-dependant manner. Al-Yahya et al [ 24 ] reported that the boswellic acid is safe up to 1000 mg/kg in rats. Still, this dose is relatively high considering the amount of extract consumed by humans.…”

“…The utilized doses of boswellic acid in the current study were tested previously as showed by Sami et al [ 21 ] and Nusier et al [ 20 ] as well as Barakat et al [ 22 ] and Tawfik et al [ 23 ]. Al-Yahya et al [ 24 ] reported that the boswellic acid is safe up to 1000 mg/kg in rats. Still, this dose is relatively high, considering the amount of extract consumed by humans.…”

Taxonomical Investigation, Chemical Composition, Traditional Use in Medicine, and Pharmacological Activities of Boswellia sacra Flueck

“…is gum resin's water extract, known as "Moh-Lubban," is traditionally used to treat coughs and stomach problems [1].…”

“…Boswellia sacra Flueck is a perennial plant belonging to the family Burseraceae. Aromatic oleo-gum-resin extracted from B. sacra, known as frankincense or olibanum (Figure 1), is used as a home remedy, especially in Middle East countries [1]. Frankincense is harvested by making shallow incisions into the tree trunk [2].…”