The study of the anti-inflammatory effects of Baneh gum (Pistacia atlantica Desf. or mastic resin) in an in vivo mouse model of carrageenan-induced paw edema

Although several studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of Baneh gum extract (BGE), characterizing its anti-inflammatory effects remains an unmet need. The present study aimed to investigate the in vivo effects of the BGE on the inflammation induced by carrageenan in an in vivo mouse model.

Inflammation induced using carrageenan. The animal population included 50 BALB/c mice with an age range of 6-8 weeks and a weight of 25-30 grams. The animals were divided into 5 groups (n=10 in each group) including inflammation control group (no treatment), intraperitoneal injection group before inflammation (25µg/ml BGE injected intraperitoneally), oral administration group before inflammation (25µg/ml BGE orally administered), the group of intraperitoneal injection concurrently with the induction of inflammation (25µg/ml BGE injected intraperitoneally), the group of oral administration concurrently with inflammation (25µg/ml BGE orally administered). Seven hours after the induction of inflammation, animals euthanized and samples harvested to measure biomarkers including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant enzyme, oxidative stress indices, and liver enzymes.

Our findings showed that the BGE can significantly reduce the amount of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress compared to the control group. Moreover, BGE can augment the amount of antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Based on the results of this study, it is proposed that the BGE can be a beneficial natural product with anti-inflammatory properties requiring further clinical studies to evaluate its potential application in the treatment of diseases with underlying cause of inflammation.