Abstract

AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF WATERY EXTRACTS OF BOSWELIA SERRATA AND SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM ON L-ARGININE INDUCED ACUTE PANCREATITIS IN RATS

Fatma Elzahraa H. Salem*, Maha S. Lokman and Rami B. Kassab

Abstract

The following study was conducted to evaluate the possible ameliorative effects of Boswellia serrata (frankincense) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts on L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats. Sixty adult male rats were divided into 6 groups (10 rats /group). Control group, Boswellia serrata (1000 mg/kg), Syzygium aromaticum (1000 mg/kg), L-arginine (500mg/100g), L-arginine + Boswellia serrata, and L-arginine + Syzygium aromaticum. Pancreatic weight, amylase, insulin, IL-6, MDA, NO, GSH, GPx, GR, SOD and catalase were estimated and histological analysis was examined for pancreas. Induction of AP by L-arginine resulted in significant elevation of pancreatic edema and serum amylase level (P˂0.05) as well as elevation of IL-6, GPx, MDA and NO, whereas, it caused significant reduction in insulin, GSH, GR, SOD and catalase (P˂0.05). The treatment with Boswellia serrata and Syzygium aromaticum significantly (P˂0.05) restored the levels of insulin, GSH, GPx, SOD and catalase and decreased amylase, lipid peroxide levels (MDA) and NO induced by L-arginine compared to the vehicle. Moreover, histopathological analysis further confirmed that administration of selected extracts relatively prevented pancreatic acinar cell damage compared to those animals received L-arginine alone. These findings pointed out the ameliorative role of Boswellia serrata and Syzygium aromaticum against acute pancreatitis induced by high doses of L-arginine.

Keywords: L-arginine, pancreatitis, Boswellia serrata, Syzygium aromaticum.