Effect of resin extract from Commiphora swynnertonii (Burseraceae) on biochemical parameters in in rats

Abstract

The biological activities of various Commiphora plants (Burseraceae) have progressively been studied over a decade. Recent studies have established the ethnomedicinal potency of various Commiphora species in Africa and Asia. In this study, the effect of Commiphora swynnertonii resin on biochemical parameters in rats was investigated. Sixty rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n= 12) (G1 – G5). Group 1 (G1)- the control, received oral distilled water daily throughout the experiment. Group 2 (G2) received oral resin at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight daily. Group 3 (G3) received oral resin at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight while group 4 (G4) and group 5 (G5) received oral resin at doses 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively daily throughout the experiment. Blood samples were taken after five days of treatment and assessed for plasma levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total bilirubin, liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results revealed that oral administration of Commiphora swynnertonii resin at the dose range of 100 to 200 significantly decreased serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-c while increasing HDL-c. The resin also significantly elevated protein and albumin levels but had no significant effect on bilirubin and all the liver enzymes in the rats. These findings are suggestive of antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potential of C. swynnertonii resin and indicate that the extract could possess efficacy against cardiovascular disease and may improve liver synthetic function