Effect of Boswellia serrata extract on tissue inflammation and white blood cells responses of spinal cord injury in rat model

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Introduction: The severe inflammatory responses that occurs after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is with great strength related to the further tissue damage. As such, developmental strategies have been investigated, aimed at restricting inflammation and encouraging regeneration of injured neural tissue. One of those encouraging strategies is administration of traditional medicinal plants. The current study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Boswellia serrata extract on the neuronal tissue inflammation and white blood cells (WBCs) responses in rats with SCI.Methods: Forty adult female rats were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups as experimental and control groups. Under general inhalation anesthesia, in both groups, SCI was created, at T9-10 level of the column. On the third day after the operation, an oral supplement of B. serrata extract was administered to the experimental group at 100 mg/kg/d. The histology of the site of injury and changes in the WBCs were examined in both groups at different pre-surgical and post-surgical times.Results: The total population of WBCs in the current study was significantly less in the experimental group, compared to the control group at third and fourth weeks of the study which could be related to the anti-inflammatory effects of B. serrata extract. Histopathological evaluation of lesion sites confirmed the reduced inflammatory responses in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The decrease in the number of inflammatory cells after oral consumption of B. serrata extract and the histopathological results confirm the neuroprotective effects of this extract.