Repeat oral dose safety study of standardized methanolic extract of Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin in rats.

The oleo gum resin of Boswellia sacra Fleuck. (Burseraceae) is widely consumed for treatment of several diseases and disorders. To determine the effect of repeated administration of this resin on liver and kidney functions, three different doses of standardized methanolic extract were administered orally to rats for 28 days. Apart from histological studies and determination of biomarkers of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, other parameters of sub-chronic toxicity such as behavioral change, food consumption and change in body weight were assessed. The extract contained about 36.91% of total boswellic acids; of which 11-keto beta boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto beta boswellic acid, boswellic acids (α and ß) and acetyl boswellic acid (α and ß) were found to be 5.81%, 1.91%, 21.92% and 7.27% respectively. Oral administration of the extract for 28 consecutive days did not show any sign of behavioral toxicity and did not affect food consumption or weight gain significantly. Determination of biomarkers of hepatic and nephrotoxicity revealed that extract was safe at the tested doses as it did not produce any significant change in the studied biomarkers except producing a dose dependent increase in serum total protein levels. The histological examination supported biochemical findings. To conclude, methanolic extract of Boswellia sacra doen not produce any significant toxicity to liver and kidney up to doses of 100 mg/kg body weight. The results contradict earlier reports that members of boswellia species produce organ toxicity in rats.

Characterization of Cladosporium Species by Internal Transcribed Spacer-PCR and Microsatellites-PCR.

BACKGROUND: This investigation compared genetic similarities and diversities within and among Cladosporium species populations using the two PCR-based markers; Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS)-PCR and microsatellite-PCR. METHODOLOGY: Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers have been used to analyze intraspecific and interspecific relationships in various fungi. In the present study, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-PCR and microsatellite-PCR were used to identify the genetic diversities in Cladosporium species. RESULTS: The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) was amplified using polymerase chain reaction combining primers ITS4 and ITS5. The PCR products were digested with three restriction enzymes and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Restriction patterns generated by CfoI and Msp I and RsaI were unique for most species assayed. The ITS-PCR fingerprinting methods led to a clear differentiation of the isolates at the species level. Fingerprinting profiles generated readily discriminated between each of the 6 species. Cluster analysis further supported this observation and clusters corresponding to each species were readily identified in the dendrograms. Seven microsatellite primers out of eight primers were unable to generate visible DNA fingerprints. CONCLUSION: Amplification experiments demonstrated that microsatellite primer, T3B and (GTG) 5 are technically simple tools for assaying genetic variability in Cladosporium spp.