Modulation of NRF-2 Pathway Contributes to the Therapeutic Effects of <i>Boswellia serrata</i> Gum Resin Extract in a Model of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis
Ramona D’Amico,
Roberta Fusco,
Marika Cordaro,
Livia Interdonato,
Rosalia Crupi,
Enrico Gugliandolo,
Davide Di Paola,
Alessio Filippo Peritore,
Rosalba Siracusa,
Daniela Impellizzeri,
Salvatore Cuzzocrea,
Rosanna Di Paola
Affiliations
Ramona D’Amico
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Roberta Fusco
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Marika Cordaro
Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Consolare Valeria, 98166 Messina, Italy
Livia Interdonato
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Rosalia Crupi
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Annunziata Campus, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Enrico Gugliandolo
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Annunziata Campus, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Davide Di Paola
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Alessio Filippo Peritore
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Rosalba Siracusa
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Daniela Impellizzeri
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Salvatore Cuzzocrea
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
Rosanna Di Paola
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Annunziata Campus, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Myocarditis is a clinically dangerous disease that can result in death. Oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and immune responses play important roles in the development of myocarditis. Presently, more research has been carried out on anti-inflammatory treatment using natural compounds. The aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of Boswellia gum resin extract in an experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) and the involvement of molecular pathways. Rats were immunized with porcine cardiac myosin to ascertain EAM. The EAM rats were treated orally with Boswellia extract or vehicle for 21 days. EAM caused macroscopic and microscopic alterations with necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis of the heart tissues, as well as clinical biochemical changes, cytokines release, altered immune response, and oxidative stress. Oral treatment with Boswellia markedly reduced myocardial damage, decreased inflammatory infiltrate, fibrosis, biochemical markers, such as lactate dehydrogenase and the creatine kinase, and heart weight/body weight ratio. In addition, low nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels together with the upregulation of antioxidant nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 NRF-2 pathway were observed in EAM rats treated with Boswellia. Thus, Boswellia could be considered as a new natural extract to combat heart pathologies, such as autoimmune myocarditis.
