Evaluation of Antihypoxic Activities of Heracleum Persicum and Boswellia Serrata (Kundur) in Mice: Comparison of Intraperitoneal and Gavage Administrations

Background and

Hypoxia can lead to body function impairment and is linked to the pathology of acute mountain sickness, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Hypoxia causes oxidative stress involving production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Heracleum persicum and Boswellia serrata (Kundur) are well-known medicinal plants with high level of antioxidant activities and therapeutic potential use against COVID-19. However, nothing is known about antihypoxic activity of these plants.

Protective effects of H. persicum fruit and Kundur resin against hypoxia-induced lethality in mice were evaluated by three experimental models of hypoxia including asphyctic, haemic, and circulatory using two administration methods, intraperitoneal (i.p.) and gavage.

H. persicum extract (i.p.) was dose dependent and showed very good activities in all antihypoxic models. In circulatory, asphyctic, and haemic models, extarcts at 3.90, 7.81, and 31.25 mg/kg showed the same activities of propranolol (30 mg/kg) which was used as positive control (P>0.05). In circulatory model, Kundur (by gavage) at 62.5 mg/kg showed the same activity as positive control (P>0.05). H. persicum extract in the form of i.p., and Kundur by gavage were more efficient than the other forms.

Extracts showed very good protective effects against hypoxia in all the models. Even in low doses, they were able to show the same activity as positive groups. It seems that these plants have a good potential for treating hypoxic conditions such as COVID-19.