Extract of gum resins of Boswellia serrata L. inhibit s lipopoly saccharide induced nitric oxide production in rat macrophages along

Boswellia serrata, Linn F (Bur seraceae) is commonly used in Indian system of medicine (Ayurvedic) as an anti­ infla mmatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and anti-prolif erative agent. This study was planned to in vestigate the water-soluble fra ction of the oleoresin gum of Boswellia serrata (BS ext ract) on li popolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) prod uction by macrophages under in vivo and ill vitro conditions. In the previous condition, rats were fed on athero genic diet (2.5% cholesterol, 1 % cholic acid, 15.7 % saturated fat) along with the BS ext ract for 90 days. Blo od was coll ected for lipid profi le and toxicological saf ety parameters. Peritoneal macrophages were isola ted and cultu red to see the LPS induced NO produc tion. Under in vivo experiment, BS extract significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (38-48 %), in creased serum hig h-density lip oprote in- cholesterol (HDL-choles terol, 22-30%). Under in vitro experiments with thiog lycolate activa ted macrophages, it inhibit ed LPS in duced (NO) production with IC 50 value at 662 ng 1m!. Further, this fract ion, in the dose of 15 mg/lO O g body wt for 90 days, did not show any in crease in serum glutamate-pyruvate transamina se (SGP T) and blood urea, in normal control animals. However, it signif icantly reversed the raised SGPT and blood urea in the athero genic diet­ fed animals. Transverse section of liver and kidney also supported its prote ctive eff ect. Thus it may be concl uded that water extr act of Boswellia serrata possesses strong hypocholesterol emic property along wit h incr ease in serum HDL. It inhibits the LPS induced NO production by the activa ted rat peritoneal macrophages and show hepato-protec tive and reno-protec tive property.