Effect of Boswellia serrata on cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

BackgroundBoswellia Serrata (BS) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and neuroprotective activity. ObjectiveTo determine whether BS improves cognitive performance among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) related cognitive impairment (CI). MethodThis was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, in which 60 patients who had subjective cognitive complaints (according to multiple sclerosis neuropsychological questionnaire) were selected and categorized in two groups (each with 30 persons). These groups were compared on the basis of the effect of 450mg of BS or placebo capsules twice a day. A series of MACFIMS (minimum assessment of cognitive function in MS) tests were conducted on the patients at the beginning of the treatment process and after 2 months of the study. Results of the mentioned tests were analyzed and recorded. ResultsConsidering changes in brief visuospatial memory test (BVMT) (p<0.05) and the California verbal learning test (CVLT) second edition (p<0.05), differences between the two groups were significant. But on the basis of paced auditory serial addition test, symbol digit modalities test, controlled oral word association test, judgment of line orientation test and Delis-Kaplan executive function system, differences between the two groups were negligible (p>0.05). ConclusionBS improved CVLT and BVMT in relapsing remitting (RR)MS patients without major depression who had subjective complaints of CI.