Ameliorative effects of frankincense oil on rats treated with a minimum toxic dose of paracetamol

Abstract

Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug, but its long-term usage has been associated with potential toxicity. The goal of this study was to investigate how frankincense oil prevents paracetamol toxicity. The study included twenty male albino rats divided into four groups: (G1) control, (G2) paracetamol, (G3) frankincense oil, and (G4) paracetamol + frankincense oil. For three days, 1000 mg/kg paracetamol was given orally, while frankincense oil was given orally at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg concurrently with paracetamol. Hematological parameters, lipid profile, cardiac markers, pancreatic function, blood antioxidant capacity, myeloperoxidase activity, blood, spleen, pancreas, heart, and lung histopathology were evaluated. Paracetamol caused oxidative stress, hematotoxicity, dyslipidemia, myocardial damage, pancreatic dysfunction, spleen alterations, and lung tissue damage. However, coadministration of paracetamol and frankincense oil protected against these effects by boosting antioxidant capacity, improving hematological parameters, preserving pancreatic function, enhancing lipid profiles, preserving spleen morphology, and preventing lung damage, likely due to the antioxidant properties of frankincense oil.