Efficacy of standardized novel Boswellia serrata extract in the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model - potential use in gut health management

Background: Objective of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of a novel standardized Boswellia serrata extract–bsRx (developed using natural excipients and designed to have specific ratio of its major actives, viz. AKBA and BBA) in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced IBD model in BALB/c mice.Methods: Animals (BALB/c mice) in control (CL) group were administered vehicle; DSS-induced colitis group (DSS group), 2.5 % DSS; and Boswellia serrata group (BS group) received DSS, for inducing colitis, together with a novel standardized extract of Boswellia serrata (41 mg/kg, 4.1 mg/ml solution in distilled water) for 10 days. Reference group (SS group) received DSS with sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/ml suspension in distilled water) for 10 days. Clinical assessment for disease activity index (DAI), histopathological examination and hematological assessments were performed.Results: Treatment with Boswellia serrata showed significant reduction in the DAI score on day 10 compared to the DSS group (2.49±0.93 versus 3.63±0.55, p≤0.05). Body weight (18.54±2.21 gm versus 17.05±3.53 gm) and colon length (6.8±0.9 cm versus 7.6±0.6 cm, p≤0.05) also improved in the BS group compared to DSS group, respectively. Histological scoring of colitis was lower in the BS group (10.1±1.37). There was no difference in leukotriene levels between groups (p>0.05).Conclusions: Treatment with novel Boswellia serrata extract improved colon length, DAI and histological scoring index in DSS-induced colitis in IBD mice models. Our results indicate the promising potential of novel Boswellia extract in IBD and gut health management.