Protective effects of Commiphora myrrha on acute pancreatitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives : Commiphora myrrha (CM) has been used in traditional medicine for treating diseas e such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoart hritis. However, the protective effects of CM on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of CM water extract on cerulein-induced AP.Methods : AP was induced in mice via intraperitoneal injection of supram aximal concentrations of the stable cholecystokinin analogue cerulein (50 µg/kg) every hour for 6 times. Water extract of CM (0.1, 0.2, or 0.5 g/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the first injection of cerulein. The mice were killed at 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Pancreas was rapidly remove d for morphologic and histochemical examination, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determ ine serum amylase and lipase activities.Results : Administration of CM significantly inhibited pancreatic weight /body weight ratio, pancreas histological injury. And CM administration inhibited the serum digestive enz yme elevation such as amylase and lipase on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In addition, Pancreas MPO activi ty which indicates neutrophil infiltration was inhibited by CM extract on cerulein-induced pancreatitis.Conclusions : In conclusion, our results could suggest that pre-treatment of CM reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, CM could be used as a protectiv e agent against AP. Also, this study could give a clinical basis that CM could be a drug or agent to prevent AP.Key words : Commiphora myrrha, Acute pancreatitis, Cerulein, Amylase, Lipase