The therapeutic effect of the aqueous extract of Boswellia serrata on the learning deficit in kindled Rats

Abstract

Background: It has been reported that epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes memory impairment. This study examines the role of the aqueous extract of Boswellia on the learning disability of the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‑induced kindled rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 64 male rats were used. Kindling seizures were induced by three injections of 25 mg/kg of PTZ every 15 min. Control animals received normal saline instead. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Boswellia extract on the PTZ‑induced cognitive deficits, the aqueous extract (0, 0.1, 0.5 or 1 g/kg, i.p.) were administrated to all animals for three consecutive days. At 24 h later, passive avoidance learning of animals was examined using shuttle box apparatus, respectively. The time required for the animal stepping through the dark chamber was determined as step‑through latency (STL). Data were subjected to the t‑test and analysis of variance and followed by Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons.

Results: The STL of the kindled rats was significantly reduced compared with control ones (22/375 ± 4/19 for kindled and 295 ± 15/71 for control groups, respectively). Aqueous extract of Boswellia improved passive‑avoidance learning ability in both control and PTZ‑kindled animals (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results can be stated that the Boswellia extract is offset by harmful effects of seizures on cognitive function and consumption of Boswellia extract increases the learning ability in epileptic animals.

Keywords: Boswellia, passive‑avoidance learning, PTZ‑kindling, rat