The effects of aqueous extract of Boswellia Serrata on memory impairment induced by Lipopolysaccharide in rat

The therapeutic effects of the olibanum, the resin of Boswellia serrata (B. serrata) from Burseracea family in inflammatory disease have been reported. There are more than 200 active ingredients in this resin including Boswellic acid (BA). We are proposed that aqueous extract of Boswellia Serrata can improve memory impairment induced by cerebral inflammation result in administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

In the current study, the neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Boswellia Serrata were investigated against LPS -induced spatial memory disorders in rats. In this study, after treatment of rat with LPS, brain toxicity induction was performed and finally, the behavioral tests were evaluated. Following cerebral inflammation induction and treatment, learning and memory performance and biochemistry tests were assessed in all groups.

LPS administration increased the duration and distance to find the platform in the Morris water maze (MWM) test in compare to control group in 5 days (P<0.05 to P<0.001) while, LPS decreased the latency to enter to the dark compartment after receiving the sock in passive avoidance (PA) test (P<0.001). Pretreatment with both doses of aqueous extract of Boswellia Serrata enhanced performances of the rats in MWM (P<0.05 to P<0.01) and PA test (P<0.01 to P<0.001). LPS also increased hippocampus IL-6, MDA levels (P<0.001).

Aqueous extract of Boswellia Serrata can be used as an effective drug in memory impairment caused by LPS-induced inflammation.