Preclinical evaluation of Boswellia serrata for anxiolytic activity

Authors

  • Prabhakar Adake Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Mahalaxmi S. Petimani Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  • M. Jayaraj Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  • S. N. Rao Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20150038

Keywords:

Anxiolytic activity, Boswellia serrata, Elevated plus maze, Light and dark arena

Abstract

Background: Boswellia serrata (BS)has been described in the ancient Ayurvedic texts Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. It possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and antioxidant properties. It is found that BShelps in surging of GABA levels in mice brain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible anxiolytic activity of BSin Swiss albino mice by light and dark arena (LDA) and elevated plus maze (EPM) models.

Methods: In this study, BS(50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg; p.o) was evaluated for anxiolytic action and compared with standard drug (diazepam) and control (normal saline) in mice by LDA and EPM models. In LDA, number of entries and time spent in light and dark boxes were noted for individual mouse. Similarly, number of entries and time spent in open and closed arms were recorded for EPM model.

Results: One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test was used to analyze the data. BSin a dose of 50 mg/kg has shown significant increase in time spent in light box (p<0.05) and decrease in time spent in dark box (p<0.05) when compared to control group in LDA model. Similarly, in EPM model 200 mg/kg of BS significantly increased time spent in open arm (p<0.001) and decrease in time spent in closed arm (p<0.001) when compared to control group.

Conclusion: BS in dose of 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg has significant anxiolytic action in animal models.

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Published

2017-01-18

How to Cite

Adake, P., Petimani, M. S., Jayaraj, M., & Rao, S. N. (2017). Preclinical evaluation of Boswellia serrata for anxiolytic activity. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 4(3), 551–555. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20150038

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Original Research Articles