Acetyl-­11-­keto-­beta-­boswellic acid modulates macrophage polarization and Schwann cell migration to accelerate spinal cord injury repair in rats

This study explores the potential of Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), a component of boswellia, to aid in spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in rats. AKBA appears to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, key factors that worsen SCI, by influencing how immune cells called macrophages behave. The study suggests AKBA promotes a shift in macrophages from a pro-inflammatory type (M1) to an anti-inflammatory type (M2) and encourages the migration of Schwann cells, which are crucial for nerve repair, to the injury site, ultimately accelerating spinal cord repair.

• 1
  AKBA enhances antioxidant enzyme activity and reduces oxidative damage in rats with SCI, partly through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
• 2
  AKBA promotes the conversion of macrophages from the M1 (pro-inflammatory) to the M2 (anti-inflammatory) phenotype, reducing inflammation and promoting Schwann cell migration.
• 3
  In vitro, AKBA reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in macrophages induced by LPS and increases anti-inflammatory expression, while reducing ROS release.