Effects of ethanol extract of the resin exudate of boswellia dalzielii hutch on pain in mice

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the analgesic properties and the acute toxicity of Ethanol Extract of the Resin Exudate of Boswellia dalzielii (EERBD) in mice animal model. We used the writhing or acetic acid abdominal constriction, tail-immersion, and hot plate tests to assess the analgesic effect of EERBD at three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). To study the acute toxicity of EERBD, 24 female mice were divided into four groups (n=6) and were orally treated with EERBD at the doses of 0, 2000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg, as per OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines No. 420. In the acetic acid-induced writhing reflex model, the EERBD ministration decreased the mean total number of writhes at the two doses (100 and 400 mg/kg), which were found highly significant (P < 0.001) compared to control group. In the tail immersion model, the EERBD administration at the dose of 400 mg/kg significantly increased the pain reaction time (P < 0.001 as compared to control) at 30 min, but another tested sample had no significant latency. In the hot-plate model, the drug extract created significant (P < 0.001) increase in the latency period compared to the control group at oral doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg when compared to initial time and control group (4.5 ± 1.29 s) with protective effect from 4.25 ± 1.50 s after 30 min. Administration of EERBD at the dose of 200 mg/kg showed no significant analgesic activity based on writing, tail immersion, and hot-plate tests. The extract did not show toxicity signs or death at dose of less than 5000 mg/kg per oral. The results suggest that EERBD contain bioactive substances with analgesics effects; hence, it might be a better alternative to conventional drug therapy for pain management.