Aim: Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is a potent anti-inflammatory compound limited by its low water solubility and bioavailability. To load AKBA on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to improve bioavailability and water solubility of the compound. Materials & methods: AKBA-AgNPs were chemically synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. AKBA and AKBA-Ag were studied for their sedative-hypnotic and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Results: Pretreatment with AKBA or AKBA-Ag caused significant dose-dependent sedative-hypnotic effects at 5 and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal. The effects of AKBA-loaded AgNPs caused pronounced changes in mice compared with those of AKBA, and the AKBA-AgNPs demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects that were superior to those of AKBA. Conclusion: The loading of AKBA on nanoparticles improved its pharmacokinetic effects, and capacity for drug delivery.
Keywords: Boswellia; AKBA; AKBA-Ag; FTIR; SEM; TEM; acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid; anti-inflammatory effects; heat effect; nanoparticles; optimization; sedative-hypnotic like effects.