Abstract

ROLE OF OLEO-GUM RESINS OF BOSWELLIA SERRATA IN PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Mukati Pinky*, Dr. P. K. Dubey and Anant K. Patel

ABSTRACT

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly comprising Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease are complex and multifactorial disease with unknown etiology. For the past 20 years, to study human IBD mechanistically, a number of murine models of colitis have been developed. These models are indispensable tools to decipher underlying mechanisms of IBD pathogenesis as well as to evaluate a number of potential therapeutics. The animal model described in this unit is one of several that have been used to study the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. The model employs the use of 2, 4, 6- trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), which induces severe colonic inflammation when administered intrarectally in mice. The colitis which results from this procedure presents clinical and histopathological findings that resemble those seen in Crohn’s disease. The resin of Boswellia Serrata has been used as incense in religious and cultural ceremonies and in medicines since time immemorial. Boswellia Serrata ( Salai/ Salai guggul), is a moderate to large sized branching tree of family Burseraceae (genus Boswellia), grows in dry mountains regions of India, Northern Africa and Middle east. The oleo-gum resins contain 30-60% resins, 5-10% essential oils, which are soluble in the organic solvents, and the rest is made up of Polysaccharides. Gum resin extracts of Boswellia Serrata have been traditionally used in folk medicine for centuries to treat various chronic inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Boswellia Serrata extract on mice with Ulcerative colitis.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid, Boswellia Serrata.