Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid modulates membrane dynamics in benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung carcinogenesis

Membrane fluidity is the most important physiochemical property of cell membranes and governs its functional attributes. The current investigations were undertaken to understand the potential role of acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), if any, on regulation of membrane dynamics under conditions of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced lung carcinogenesis in female rats. The animals were divided into five groups which included (I) Normal control, (II) Vehicle treated (olive oil), (III) BaP treated, (IV) AKBA treated and (V) BaP + AKBA treated. BaP was administered at a dose level of 50 mg/kg b.wt. in olive oil orally twice a week for 4 weeks. AKBA was given at a dose level of 50 mg/kg b.wt. in olive oil orally thrice a week for 24 weeks. In addition, AKBA was also administered at a similar dose to BaP-treated animals 4 weeks prior to BaP administration and continued for another 20 weeks. The lipid profile and membrane dynamics were analysed in lung tissue. Total lipids, phospholipids content, membrane fluidity, polarization and order of membrane were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) increased in BaP-exposed animals. However, significant decrease was observed in glycolipids, cholesterol, microviscosity and anisotropy levels compared with normal control animals. Appreciable improvements in above indices were recorded when AKBA was administered to BaP-treated animals. Moreover, the structural variations observed in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum were also normalized in BaP-treated rats with AKBA supplementation. This suggests that the AKBA has a potential role in improving membrane fluidity and associated lipid content in BaP-induced lung carcinogenesis.