Acute, genetic, and target organ toxicity profiling of Frankincense essential oil from Boswellia sacra in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Frankincense oil is widely used across the globe for various therapeutic implications. However, the potential toxicity profile of Frankincense oil has not been well explored. The present study is a debut attempt to study the organ-specific (cardiac, hepatic, and neuromuscular) toxicity profile of Frankincense essential oil from Boswellia sacra using the zebrafish embryo model. The results revealed a “no observed effect concentration” (NOEC) dose of Frankincense oil of 300 µg/ml. Signs of cardiac toxicity were not observed if the zebrafish embryos were incubated with Frankincense oil (100 µg/ml). In addition, signs of genotoxicity were also not observed at the same concentration. Similarly, neuromuscular toxicity evaluated by the locomotor activity in the presence of light and hepatic toxicity measured by liver size, yolk retention, and steatosis were not found. Despite the absence of toxic effects of Frankincense oil on zebrafish embryo survival, it should be further investigated to assess if the prolonged administration of Frankincense oil in higher vertebrates might induce potential toxic effects.