title: Proulcerogenic effect of water extract of Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The water extract of Boswellia sacra Flueck. (Burseraceae) is used in the treatment of gastric and hepatic disorders in the Arab countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effect of Boswellia sacra water extract on gastric secretion and experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers, pylorus ligation, aspirin-induced, ethanol-induced, and restraint plus cold stress-induced gastric ulcer models were employed. The effect on normal rats was also studied. The water extract of B. sacra was administered orally at doses of 2 and 5 ml/kg once daily ranging from single dose to 30 d treatment depending on the model. The extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis to determine the presence of various phytoconstituents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Boswellia sacra water extract (5 ml/kg, p.o (per os)) aggravated acetic acid-induced chronic ulcers, wherein an increase in ulcer index (p < 0.01) and ulcer score (p < 0.05) was observed. In pylorus-ligated rats, the extract increased gastric content volume (p < 0.01), free acidity (p < 0.01), total acidity (p < 0.01), ulcer index (p < 0.01), and pepsin activity (p < 0.05). There was no significant effect on the development of ethanol-induced and aspirin-induced ulcers while an increase in the development of stress-induced ulcers was observed (p < 0.01). The extract did not produce any ulcers when administered to normal rats. The dose of 2 ml/kg was less proulcerogenic compared with 5 ml/kg. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several phytoconstituents that included menthol, 3-cyclohexen-1-ol, and octanoic acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Boswellia sacra water extract has proulcerogenic activity due to its gastric hypersecretory effect.
authors: a College of Applied Medical Colleges, Shaqra University , Shaqra , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohammed
authors: M
authors: Asad
authors: a College of Applied Medical Colleges, Shaqra University , Shaqra , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Meshal
authors: M
authors: Alhomoud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029743:Boswellia / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D053149:Plant Gums; D014867:Water
keywords: Gastric cytoprotection; gastric secretion; ulcer index; volatile oils