Effect of frankincense oil on the neurochemical changes induced in rat model of status epilepticus

Abstract

Background: The current objective is to evaluate the effect of frankincense oil on the convulsions and the associated neurochemical alterations produced in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rat model. Methods: Rats were divided randomly into: control, status epilepticus rat model and rat model of status epilepticus pretreated with frankincense oil daily for 5 days before pilocarpine treatment. On the fifth day, after pilocarpine injection, rats were observed to evaluate the severity of seizures for 2 h. The oxidative stress parameters malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and nitric oxide, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β and acetylcholinesterase were determined in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin were measured in the cortex and striatum. Results: The status epilepticus model exhibited repetitive seizures in the form of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions after 30 min. of pilocarpine injection. This was associated with a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione in the three regions. A significant increase was also observed in interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and acetylcholinesterase. In the cortex and striatum, a significant decrease was recorded in monoamine levels. Pretreatment of rat model of status epilepticus with frankincense oil decreased the severity of seizures that appeared in the form of tremors and facial automatisms and prevented the increase in malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and acetylcholinesterase and the decrease in reduced glutathione induced by pilocarpine in the studied brain regions. Frankincense oil failed to restore the decreased level of cortical serotonin and dopamine. In the striatum, frankincense oil improved the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine but failed to restore the decreased dopamine levels. Conclusion: It is clear from the present results that frankincense oil reduced the severity of seizures induced by pilocarpine. This could be mediated by its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Assessment of Lavender, Frankincense and Peppermint Oils Trans-dermal Nano Spray Formulation Effect on Wound Healing Activity in Rat Model

“…In this study, treatment with lavender, frankincense and peppermint oils Nano emulsions resulted in significant increase in the antioxidant activity, reflected by the significantly lower MDA and increase in GSH contents(P<0.05) as come with Souto et al [31] for lavender, Ahmed et al [32] for frankincense and Hosny et al [33] for peppermint. The combination 0.5 mix and mix Nano emulsions was superior to the individual ones at different time intervals which proves its anti-oxidant effect when combined together during burn healing, suggesting that they can help in preventing the production and scavenging of ROS.…”

In-Vitro and In-Vivo Antibacterial Effects of Frankincense Oil and Its Interaction with Some Antibiotics against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

“…Frankincense oil is used traditionally in the treatment of respiratory diseases through oral administration and is considered safe for oral consumption [ 16 ]. We selected the doses of frankincense oil based on earlier reports [ 18 ]. No behavioral difference or toxicity was observed between the different treated groups.…”

“…A set of six animals were used for each treatment. Animals were treated with two different doses of frankincense oil at 500 mg/kg/day and 1000 mg/kg/day orally [ 18 ], gentamicin (10 mg/kg, i.p) [ 49 ], imipenem (120 mg/kg, i.p) [ 50 ] alone or in combination, while one group of animals served as control each for MRSA and MDR- P. aeruginosa . All the animals were sacrificed after 4 days post-inoculation for assessments of bacterial growth/clearance [ 51 , 52 ].…”