Preclinical evaluation of Boswellia serrata for anxiolytic activity

Background: Boswellia serrata (BS)has been described in the ancient Ayurvedic texts Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. It possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and antioxidant properties. It is found that BShelps in surging of GABA levels in mice brain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible anxiolytic activity of BSin Swiss albino mice by light and dark arena (LDA) and elevated plus maze (EPM) models.Methods: In this study, BS(50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg; p.o) was evaluated for anxiolytic action and compared with standard drug (diazepam) and control (normal saline) in mice by LDA and EPM models. In LDA, number of entries and time spent in light and dark boxes were noted for individual mouse. Similarly, number of entries and time spent in open and closed arms were recorded for EPM model.Results: One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test was used to analyze the data. BSin a dose of 50 mg/kg has shown significant increase in time spent in light box (p<0.05) and decrease in time spent in dark box (p<0.05) when compared to control group in LDA model. Similarly, in EPM model 200 mg/kg of BS significantly increased time spent in open arm (p<0.001) and decrease in time spent in closed arm (p<0.001) when compared to control group.Conclusion: BS in dose of 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg has significant anxiolytic action in animal models

A retrospective study on the clinical picture of COVID-19 patients associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in India

Background: The clinical characterization of COVID varies from mild to severe. In the initial phases of the disease, symptoms like fever, cough, and dyspnea can occur. The severity and outcome of COVID vary with preexisting conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective of current study was to assess the clinical presentation and laboratory derangements of COVID-19 patients associated with T2DM.Methods: The present retrospective study was started after the approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee. Various clinical (Sp02, final diagnosis, co-morbidity, and outcome) and biochemical parameters (CBC, LFT, RFT, LDH, Trop I, CK-MB D-dimer, CRP, ferritin levels, RBS, HbA1c) of Covid-19 patients were collected from Central Laboratory and & Medical Record Department of our institution. Patient names were anonymized and data were analyzed. The results are expressed in percentages.Results: A total of 24 COVID-19 patients (with T2DM) details were collected from the medical record department and central laboratory. Out of 24 patients, 16 (66.6%) were male, and the remaining 08 (33.3%) were female. Out of 24, 05 patients had mild covid, 02 were moderate and the remaining 17 suffered from severe COVID. The mean values of oxygen saturation, LDH, D-dimer, Troponin-I, CRP, Ferritin, Procalcitonin, and CK-MB were 76%, 797.3 U/l, 1614.2 ng/ml, 6.93 ng/ml, 72.6 mg/dl, 521.2 µg/l, 2.33 µg/l and 40.59 ng/ml respectively. The average random blood sugar level and glycosylated hemoglobin were 308.8 mg/dl and HbA1c 10.22%. Mean values of 42.5 mg/dl and 1.54 mg/dl were recorded for blood urea and S. creatinine. Regarding liver function test, mean values of 0.87 mg/dl, 0.37 mg/dl, 0.49mg/dl, 344.8U/l, 115.6U/l,108U/l respectively noted for total bilirubin, direct, indirect, SGOT, SGPT and ALP. Regarding patient outcome, 09 (37.5%) patients recovered and 15 (62.5%) died due to COVID. The values of glycosylated Hb and random blood sugar among the 15 patients who died due to covid infection suggested uncontrolled diabetes Mellitus in 7 of them with associated hypertension and died due to septic shock. Conclusions: Though the laboratory mean values of the liver function test and renal function test shows moderate variations the mean values of CRP, LDH, Procalcitonin, and Ferritin which are the acute inflammatory markers are highly disrupted when compared to normal ranges. 

Neurochemical Modulating Effect of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr: A Preclinical Research

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background: Boswellia serrata has been known for many decades and mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic texts. Many previous studies have demonstrated its role in depression and anxiety in animal models.&#x0D; Objectives: The present study is carried out to evaluate the effect of Boswellia serrata on neurotransmitter levels of Swiss albino mice by spectrophotometer.&#x0D; Methods: Eighteen (n=18) Swiss albino male mice were procured for this study. All mice were divided into three groups of six mice in each. The first group of mice (control) received normal saline (10 mg/kg); the second group (standard) received imipramine (10 mg/kg), and the third group (test) received Boswellia serrata (100 mg/kg) orally for 21 days. On the 22nd day, all mice were sacrificed as per CPCSEA (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals) guidelines. The mice brains were dissected, and their brain tissue was collected and stored in a preservative. The mice brain tissue was centrifuged, and samples were used for the estimation of serotonin (5-HT), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), dopamine, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), and glutamate levels by spectrophotometry.&#x0D; Results: The levels of neurotransmitters are expressed in Mean±SE. Analysis of results was done by 1-way ANOVA and Tukey Kramer tests. The statistical tests revealed that imipramine- treated mice have significantly increased the levels of AChE, GABA, and glutamate when compared to control (P&lt;0.05). However, imipramine treated group showed statistically significant lower levels of 5-HT and dopamine levels when compared to the control (P&lt;0.05). Similarly, the test drug Boswellia serrata-treated group had significantly higher levels of 5-HT, AChE, GABA, and glutamate when compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05) and lower levels of dopamine when compared to the control (P&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The present study establishes the role of Boswellia serrata in various psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety in animal models by modulating multiple neurotransmitters in the brain.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; </jats:p