β-
Boswellic acid (β-BA) and 11-keto-β-boswellic
acid (β-KBA) are crucial bioactive compounds, mostly isolated from
frankincense. These compounds are known for their potent anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, we have explored the complete anti-diabetic potential of β-BA and β-KBA with detailed parameters. This research revealed that treatment with β-BA and β-KBA at a dose of 1, 2, and 10 mg/kg
body weight for 21 days significantly improved
body weight loss, water consumption, and specifically the concentration of
blood glucose level (BGL) in diabetic animals, which indicated that the β-BA and β-KBA possess strong anti-diabetic activities. Serum total
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were also performed to evaluate the
antioxidant effects. The biochemical analysis revealed that these compounds improve an abnormal level of several biochemical parameters like serum
lipid values including total
cholesterol (TC),
triacylglycerol (TG),
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL-C) to a normal level and the
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL-C). To understand the mechanism of action of β-BA and β-KBA, their most probable biological targets were searched through the inverse docking approach. Our computational analysis reflects that among other probable targets, the
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4)
enzyme could be one of the possible binders of β-BA and β-KBA to produce their anti-diabetic activities. These in-silico results were validated by an in-vitro experiment. It indicates that the anti-diabetic effects of β-BA and β-KBA are produced by the inhibition of DDP-4. Thus, these anti-diabetic,
antioxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of β-BA and β-KBA suggest these compounds as potential
therapeutics for diabetic conditions.