Abstract

Background: Boswellia serrata Roxb. is used in folklore medicine for the treatment of inflammation, arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic properties of ethanol extract of gum resin of Boswellia serrata extract and it’s microcapsule formulation.

Methods: Microcapsules of Boswellia serrata extract were prepared by ionic gelation technique and evaluated. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Colorimeter (DSC) study was performed for compatibility study. M1, M2 and M3 formulations were tested for anti-ulcerative colitis activity by inducing acetic acid in mice. Anti-ulcerative colitis property was evaluated by weight of colon tissue, lesion score, myeloperoxidase level, malondialdehyde level and histopathology.

Results: The average particle sizes of microcapsules were 303.2±0.901, 330.13±1.235 and 368.80μm±6.048 for formulation M1, M2 and M3, respectively. Entrapment efficiency of microcapsules was 51.37, 60.45 and 76.60% for formulation M1, M2 and M3, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study revealed that the microcapsules were almost spherical, discrete and covered with sodium alginate coat material. Microcapsules formulations showed better reduction of ulceration in acetic acid induced mice. Histopathalogically, M3 formulation and standard drug prednisolone showed very small pathological score that was evident by less ulceration, hemorrhages, necrosis and leukocyte infiltration.

Conclusion: Boswellia serrata extract and microcapsule formulations were shown to decrease the ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid. The microcapsule formulation may be used to treat the ulcerative colitis.

Keywords: Boswellia serrata, microcapsulation, ulcerative colitis, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, histopathology.

Graphical Abstract