Effects of ethanol extract of the resin exudate of boswellia dalzielii hutch on pain in mice

This study aimed to determine the analgesic properties and the acute toxicity of Ethanol Extract of the Resin Exudate of Boswellia dalzielii (EERBD) in mice animal model. We used the writhing or acetic acid abdominal constriction, tail-immersion, and hot plate tests to assess the analgesic effect of EERBD at three doses (۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, and ۴۰۰ mg/kg). To study the acute toxicity of EERBD, ۲۴ female mice were divided into four groups (n=۶) and were orally treated with EERBD at the doses of ۰, ۲۰۰۰, ۴۰۰۰, and ۵۰۰۰ mg/kg, as per OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines No. ۴۲۰. In the acetic acid-induced writhing reflex model, the EERBD ministration decreased the mean total number of writhes at the two doses (۱۰۰ and ۴۰۰ mg/kg), which were found highly significant (P<۰.۰۰۱) compared to control group. In the tail immersion model, the EERBD administration at the dose of ۴۰۰ mg/kg significantly increased the pain reaction time (P<۰.۰۰۱ as compared to control) at ۳۰ min, but another tested sample had no significant latency. In the hot-plate model, the drug extract created significant (P<۰.۰۰۱) increase in the latency period compared to the control group at oral doses of ۱۰۰ and ۴۰۰ mg/kg when compared to initial time and control group (۴.۵ ± ۱.۲۹ s) with protective effect from ۴.۲۵ ± ۱.۵۰ s after ۳۰ min.  Administration of EERBD at the dose of ۲۰۰ mg/kg showed no significant analgesic activity based on writing, tail immersion, and hot-plate tests. The extract did not show toxicity signs or death at dose of less than ۵۰۰۰ mg/kg per oral. The results suggest that EERBD contain bioactive substances with analgesics effects; hence, it might be a better alternative to conventional drug therapy for pain management.