ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIONS OF BOSWELLIC ACIDS

Boswellic acids (BA) demonstrated dose-related anti-inflammatory activ ity (AIA) in acute tests of carrageenan-, histamine- and dextran-induc ed edema in rats and mice. It elicited inhibitory action on vascular p ermeability in mice induced by acetic acid. Marked AIA was observed in chronic models of adjuvant-induced polyarthritis and formaldehyde art hritis in rats and bovine serum albumin-induced arthritis in rabbits. It produced significant protective effects in sodium urate gouty arthr itis in dogs. BA reduced exudate volume and inhibited leucocyte migrat ion in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. It did not affect the par turition period in pregnant rats or castor oil-induced diarrhea in rat s. It failed to exhibit any analgesic or ulcerogenic effects. BA elici ted antipyretic activity in rats and rabbits. LD(50) of BA was found t o be greater than 2 g/kg in rats and mice when administered orally or intraperitoneally.