Anti-aggregatory effect of boswellic acid in high-fat fed rats: involvement of redox and inflammatory cascades

INTRODUCTION: A high-fat diet is one of the main dietary factors promoting platelet aggregation. The present study was conducted to elucidate the involvement of boswellic acid (BA) on the platelet hyperaggregability in HFD-fed rats. As platelet hyperaggregability in HFD rats is closely linked to inflammation and enhanced free radical production, the present study was extended to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect of BA on HFD-promoted platelet aggregation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were assigned to normal, HFD-fed, aspirin-treated (30 mg/kg), and BA-treated (250 and 500 mg/kg) groups. RESULTS: Boswellic acid administration in a high dose was effective in attenuating the severity of hyperlipidemia and platelet aggregation, indicated by lower collagen/epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation, as evidenced by the significant increase (p < 0.05) in the circulating platelet count and reduction in the number of thrombi in the lungs. Moreover, it attenuated the oxidative stress and the intensity of inflammatory mediators associated with platelet hyperaggregability, as evidenced by the inhibitory effects on interlukin-1β, COX-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α, indicating that the antiplatelet activity of BA is likely a consequence of controlling oxidative stress and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that BA shows a promising anti-aggregatory effect by attenuating the enhanced hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammation associated with HFD.