Boswellic acid (BA), a
triterpene, isolated from Boswellia serrata (Burseraceae) has been found to possess potent anti-inflammatory and anti-
cancer activity. The present study aimed at exploring the possible role of BA on
ascites and solid Ehrlich
tumor. Ascitic
tumor development was evaluated 14 d after
tumor implantation by quantification of the ascitic fluid volume whereas solid
tumor was evaluated after 30 d
tumor implantation by H&E and IHC. The i.p. administration of BA significantly inhibited ascitic and solid Ehrlich
tumor model. This inhibition was observed with reduced ascitic volume, solid
tumor volume and
body weight when compared to control mice. The treatments also increased the survival of
tumor-bearing mice.
VEGF and TNF- α levels were decreased, whereas the
IL-12 levels were increased with BA treatment at 25mg/kg. Further, results on decrease in the peritoneal angiogenesis and microvessel density showed the anti-angiogenic potential. Microscopic examination of
tumors revealed that in BA-treated groups the expression of Bax and
caspase 3 increased, suggesting
drug induced
tumor cell apoptosis through activating the pro-apoptotic bcl-2 family and
caspase-3. The present study sheds light on the potent antitumor property of the
boswellic acid and can be extended further to develop therapeutic protocols for treatment of
cancer.