Phytochemical and Anti-epileptic Studies of Ethanol Extract of Boswellia dalzielii (Frankincense Tree) Stem Bark

Aim: This research work aimed to establish scientific basis for the use of Boswellia dalzielli stem bark, in traditional medicine as anti-epileptic medication.

Methodology: The fresh stem bark of Boswellia dalzielii was extracted using absolute ethanol and screened for phytochemicals. Acute toxicity study was carried out using Lorke’s method and the antiepileptic activity was evaluated using maximal electroshock induced seizure test in day-old broiler chicks and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) using Wistar strain mice.

Results: Phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of B. dalzielii stem bark revealed that the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids and steroids/terpenoides. The intrapertoneal median lethal dose value (LD50) of BDE in mice was 2592.3 mg/kg, indicating the stem bark extract is relatively safe. The extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight protected 40% of animals against PTZ-induced convulsion and also protected 20% of chicks against Tonic Hindlimb Extension (THLE) phase of the Maximal Electroshock Test (MEST) significantly (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The antiepileptic investigation suggests that ethanol extract of B. dalzielii stem bark has antiepileptic activity.