Orofacial Pain Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Extracts of Boswellia Serrata in Rats

Recently, many researches regarding the natural products which alternate with chemical products have been done. Among them, boswellia is well known for effect on anti-oxidative effect and inflammation. The aim was the effect boswellia of formalininduced orofacial and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on experimental animals was investigated. Experiments were carried out using subcutaneous (SC) pain model and TMJ pain model that were induced by the injection of 5% formalin into the right vibrissa pad (SC, 50 μL) or TMJ (30 μL) of rats, respectively. In both models, formalin (5%), formalin after distilled water (vehicle), formalin after boswellia extract (p.o., concentrations of 15, 30 mg/kg) (n=6). The number of scratching on the injected region was scored during the 9 successive periods of 5 min intervals following injection of formalin. Oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) reduced formalin-induced SC orofacial pain behavioral responses. SC orofacial pain behavioral responses was significantly reduced at 20~35 min. In the experimental group injected into temporomandibular joints, the pain response was significantly reduced by 276.2 ± 8.20 and 78.3 ± 4.7 after oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) at 398.3 ± 24.8 times. As a result of the passage of time, the oral administration of boswellia showed a significant effect of reducing the temporomandibular joint pain 30 minutes after the injection of formalin. This study confirmed that oral administration of boswellia modulated the pain behavior in both models. In conclusion, boswellia extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for orofacial pain.