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Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm of melanocytes. It typically originates in skin, but may metastasize to other body systems. It is a relatively common neoplasm in both humans and horses, with striking similarities across both species. Heritable genetic factors associated with melanoma have been identified in both human malignant melanoma (HMM) and equine malignant melanoma (EMM). This work investigates similarities and differences of EMM and HMM through comparative protein expression using immunohistochemical staining. Nestin, Pax-3/7, B-Raf, and SOX-10 are commonly expressed in HMM tissues. Expression of these proteins is not noted in normal human melanocytes, is associated with decreased melanocytic differentiation, and with increased proliferation leading to tumorigenesis. My findings demonstrate similar expression of these proteins in EMM. Aberrant protein expression patterns may signal underlying genetic mutations. Similar abnormal expression patterns suggest that EMM and HMM may share common genetic abnormalities. Treatment of malignant melanoma presents similar challenges in both horses and humans. In general, early stages of the disease can be successfully treated with surgical excision; however, advanced stages of EMM and HMM are often refractory. Therefore, development of novel therapies for advanced stages of melanoma is essential in both species, with the horse representing a useful model for this process. One novel therapy, frankincense oil (FO) is a resin distillate from trees of the genus Boswellia. Studies have demonstrated cytostatic and apoptotic-modulating properties of FO in various human cancer cell lines. No studies have evaluated FO as a therapy for skin neoplasms. In my work, the apoptotic properties of FO from Boswellia frereana were verified in a HMM cell line (SK-Mel-5). The cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy of FO were also studied by evaluating the effects of FO in cases of perianal EMM. FO was found to be consistently cytotoxic when injected directly into EMM tumors, but largely inconsequential when applied topically. FO was found to substantially decrease the size of injected masses. These findings suggest that FO could be useful for debulking large masses in late stage dermal EMM. The combined results of these studies support further investigation of EMM as a translational model for HMM. / Ph. D.

Introdução: A retocolite ulcerativa indeterminada é uma doença inflamatória que envolve exclusivamente o cólon e o reto, sendo caracterizada por infiltrado leucocitário e úlceras superficiais na mucosa intestinal. A produção e liberação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio parecem ser cruciais na determinação da fisiopatologia da doença, pois resultam em dano oxidativo. A partir dessas informações, a busca por opções terapêuticas com propriedades antioxidantes são importantes e têm sido testadas na colite experimental. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do extrato seco da planta Boswellia serrata em modelo experimental de colite induzida por ácido acético sobre os danos teciduais, a pressão anal esfincteriana, o estresse oxidativo, a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD) e glutationa peroxidase (GPx) e atividade da glutationa (GSH), a concentração dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico e expressão da enzima óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS) por imunohistoquímica. Material e métodos: Foram utilizados 25 ratos Wistar machos, com peso médio de 350g, divididos em 5 grupos: Controle (CO); Controle+Boswellia serrata (C+B); Colite (CL); Colite+Boswellia serrata (CL+B) e Boswellia serrata+Colite (B+CL). Os animais foram submetidos à administração intracolônica por enema com solução de ácido acético diluído a 4% e com volume de 4 mL. O tratamento com o extrato aquoso da planta via oral, na dose de 34,2 mg/Kg diluído em 4 mL de solução fisiológica, ocorreu uma vez ao dia durante 48 horas antes e após a indução da colite. Foi realizada a medida de pressão anal esfincteriana dos animais. As análises histológicas do intestino foram através da coloração de Hematoxilina-Eosina e realizada imunohistoquímca com anticorpo iNOS. O homogeneizado do intestino foi utilizado para avaliação da lipoperoxidação (LPO) através das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), avaliação dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico pela técnica de nitritos e nitratos totais, avaliação da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e GPx e avaliação da GSH. Resultados: Na análise da pressão anal esfincteriana os animais dos grupos CL+B e B+CL apresentaram um aumento significativo em relação ao grupo CL. Nos níveis de LPO e metabólitos do óxido nítrico foi observada uma diminuição significativa nos grupos CL+B e B+CL quando comparados ao grupo CL. A atividade da SOD mostrou um aumento no grupo CL e uma diminuição significativa nos grupos CL+B e B+CL equivalendo à média do grupo CO. A GPx e GSH apresentaram um aumento significativo nos grupos CL+B e B+CL em relação ao grupo CL. Conclusão: Sugerimos que a administração do extrato da planta Boswellia serrata possa ser uma possibilidade de terapia antioxidante na colite ulcerativa. / Introduction: Ulcerative rectocolitis is an inflammatory disease that involves only the colon and rectum, being characterized by leukocyte infiltrate and superficial ulcers in the intestinal mucosa. The production and release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species appears to be crucial in determining the pathophysiology of the disease, since both result in oxidative damage. Therefore, the search for treatment options with antioxidant properties is important currently and has been tested in experimental colitis. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dry extract of Boswellia serrata plant in an experimental model of colitis induced by acetic acid on tissue injury, anal sphincter pressure, oxidative stress, on the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH), concentration of nitric oxide metabolites and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme (iNOS) by immunohistochemistry. Methods: We used 25 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 350g, divided into 5 groups: control (CO), Control + Boswellia serrata (CO+B); Colitis (CL); Colitis + Boswellia serrata (CL+B) and Boswellia serrata + colitis (B+CL). The animals were submitted to intracolonic administration by enema with acetic acid solution diluted to 4% in a volume of 4 ml. The treatment with aqueous plant extract was performed orally at a dose of 34.2 mg/kg diluted in 4 ml of saline. The administration occurred once daily for 48 hours before and after the induction of colitis. We performed the measurement of anal sphincter pressure animals. Histological analyzes of bowel the after were made staining with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry, performed with iNOS antibody. The homogenized intestine was used for evaluation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), assessment of nitric oxide metabolites by the technique of total nitrites and nitrates and evaluation of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx and GSH. Results: The analysis of anal sphincter pressure of the animals in groups CL+B and B+CL showed a significant increase when compared to the CL group. LPO and nitric oxide metabolites levels demonstrated significant decrease in groups CL+B and B+CL when compared to CL. SOD activity showed an increase in CL group and a significant decrease in groups CL+B and B+CL, remainig to the average of the CO group. The GPx and GSH showed a significant increase in groups CL+B and B+CL group when compared to CL group. Conclusion: We suggest that the administration of Boswellia serrata plant extract may be a possibility of antioxidant therapy in ulcerative colitis.

Introdução: A retocolite ulcerativa indeterminada é uma doença inflamatória que envolve exclusivamente o cólon e o reto, sendo caracterizada por infiltrado leucocitário e úlceras superficiais na mucosa intestinal. A produção e liberação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio parecem ser cruciais na determinação da fisiopatologia da doença, pois resultam em dano oxidativo. A partir dessas informações, a busca por opções terapêuticas com propriedades antioxidantes são importantes e têm sido testadas na colite experimental. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do extrato seco da planta Boswellia serrata em modelo experimental de colite induzida por ácido acético sobre os danos teciduais, a pressão anal esfincteriana, o estresse oxidativo, a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD) e glutationa peroxidase (GPx) e atividade da glutationa (GSH), a concentração dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico e expressão da enzima óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS) por imunohistoquímica. Material e métodos: Foram utilizados 25 ratos Wistar machos, com peso médio de 350g, divididos em 5 grupos: Controle (CO); Controle+Boswellia serrata (C+B); Colite (CL); Colite+Boswellia serrata (CL+B) e Boswellia serrata+Colite (B+CL). Os animais foram submetidos à administração intracolônica por enema com solução de ácido acético diluído a 4% e com volume de 4 mL. O tratamento com o extrato aquoso da planta via oral, na dose de 34,2 mg/Kg diluído em 4 mL de solução fisiológica, ocorreu uma vez ao dia durante 48 horas antes e após a indução da colite. Foi realizada a medida de pressão anal esfincteriana dos animais. As análises histológicas do intestino foram através da coloração de Hematoxilina-Eosina e realizada imunohistoquímca com anticorpo iNOS. O homogeneizado do intestino foi utilizado para avaliação da lipoperoxidação (LPO) através das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), avaliação dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico pela técnica de nitritos e nitratos totais, avaliação da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e GPx e avaliação da GSH. Resultados: Na análise da pressão anal esfincteriana os animais dos grupos CL+B e B+CL apresentaram um aumento significativo em relação ao grupo CL. Nos níveis de LPO e metabólitos do óxido nítrico foi observada uma diminuição significativa nos grupos CL+B e B+CL quando comparados ao grupo CL. A atividade da SOD mostrou um aumento no grupo CL e uma diminuição significativa nos grupos CL+B e B+CL equivalendo à média do grupo CO. A GPx e GSH apresentaram um aumento significativo nos grupos CL+B e B+CL em relação ao grupo CL. Conclusão: Sugerimos que a administração do extrato da planta Boswellia serrata possa ser uma possibilidade de terapia antioxidante na colite ulcerativa. / Introduction: Ulcerative rectocolitis is an inflammatory disease that involves only the colon and rectum, being characterized by leukocyte infiltrate and superficial ulcers in the intestinal mucosa. The production and release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species appears to be crucial in determining the pathophysiology of the disease, since both result in oxidative damage. Therefore, the search for treatment options with antioxidant properties is important currently and has been tested in experimental colitis. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dry extract of Boswellia serrata plant in an experimental model of colitis induced by acetic acid on tissue injury, anal sphincter pressure, oxidative stress, on the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH), concentration of nitric oxide metabolites and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme (iNOS) by immunohistochemistry. Methods: We used 25 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 350g, divided into 5 groups: control (CO), Control + Boswellia serrata (CO+B); Colitis (CL); Colitis + Boswellia serrata (CL+B) and Boswellia serrata + colitis (B+CL). The animals were submitted to intracolonic administration by enema with acetic acid solution diluted to 4% in a volume of 4 ml. The treatment with aqueous plant extract was performed orally at a dose of 34.2 mg/kg diluted in 4 ml of saline. The administration occurred once daily for 48 hours before and after the induction of colitis. We performed the measurement of anal sphincter pressure animals. Histological analyzes of bowel the after were made staining with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry, performed with iNOS antibody. The homogenized intestine was used for evaluation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), assessment of nitric oxide metabolites by the technique of total nitrites and nitrates and evaluation of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx and GSH. Results: The analysis of anal sphincter pressure of the animals in groups CL+B and B+CL showed a significant increase when compared to the CL group. LPO and nitric oxide metabolites levels demonstrated significant decrease in groups CL+B and B+CL when compared to CL. SOD activity showed an increase in CL group and a significant decrease in groups CL+B and B+CL, remainig to the average of the CO group. The GPx and GSH showed a significant increase in groups CL+B and B+CL group when compared to CL group. Conclusion: We suggest that the administration of Boswellia serrata plant extract may be a possibility of antioxidant therapy in ulcerative colitis.

Introdução: A retocolite ulcerativa indeterminada é uma doença inflamatória que envolve exclusivamente o cólon e o reto, sendo caracterizada por infiltrado leucocitário e úlceras superficiais na mucosa intestinal. A produção e liberação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio parecem ser cruciais na determinação da fisiopatologia da doença, pois resultam em dano oxidativo. A partir dessas informações, a busca por opções terapêuticas com propriedades antioxidantes são importantes e têm sido testadas na colite experimental. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do extrato seco da planta Boswellia serrata em modelo experimental de colite induzida por ácido acético sobre os danos teciduais, a pressão anal esfincteriana, o estresse oxidativo, a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD) e glutationa peroxidase (GPx) e atividade da glutationa (GSH), a concentração dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico e expressão da enzima óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS) por imunohistoquímica. Material e métodos: Foram utilizados 25 ratos Wistar machos, com peso médio de 350g, divididos em 5 grupos: Controle (CO); Controle+Boswellia serrata (C+B); Colite (CL); Colite+Boswellia serrata (CL+B) e Boswellia serrata+Colite (B+CL). Os animais foram submetidos à administração intracolônica por enema com solução de ácido acético diluído a 4% e com volume de 4 mL. O tratamento com o extrato aquoso da planta via oral, na dose de 34,2 mg/Kg diluído em 4 mL de solução fisiológica, ocorreu uma vez ao dia durante 48 horas antes e após a indução da colite. Foi realizada a medida de pressão anal esfincteriana dos animais. As análises histológicas do intestino foram através da coloração de Hematoxilina-Eosina e realizada imunohistoquímca com anticorpo iNOS. O homogeneizado do intestino foi utilizado para avaliação da lipoperoxidação (LPO) através das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), avaliação dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico pela técnica de nitritos e nitratos totais, avaliação da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e GPx e avaliação da GSH. Resultados: Na análise da pressão anal esfincteriana os animais dos grupos CL+B e B+CL apresentaram um aumento significativo em relação ao grupo CL. Nos níveis de LPO e metabólitos do óxido nítrico foi observada uma diminuição significativa nos grupos CL+B e B+CL quando comparados ao grupo CL. A atividade da SOD mostrou um aumento no grupo CL e uma diminuição significativa nos grupos CL+B e B+CL equivalendo à média do grupo CO. A GPx e GSH apresentaram um aumento significativo nos grupos CL+B e B+CL em relação ao grupo CL. Conclusão: Sugerimos que a administração do extrato da planta Boswellia serrata possa ser uma possibilidade de terapia antioxidante na colite ulcerativa. / Introduction: Ulcerative rectocolitis is an inflammatory disease that involves only the colon and rectum, being characterized by leukocyte infiltrate and superficial ulcers in the intestinal mucosa. The production and release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species appears to be crucial in determining the pathophysiology of the disease, since both result in oxidative damage. Therefore, the search for treatment options with antioxidant properties is important currently and has been tested in experimental colitis. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dry extract of Boswellia serrata plant in an experimental model of colitis induced by acetic acid on tissue injury, anal sphincter pressure, oxidative stress, on the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH), concentration of nitric oxide metabolites and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme (iNOS) by immunohistochemistry. Methods: We used 25 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 350g, divided into 5 groups: control (CO), Control + Boswellia serrata (CO+B); Colitis (CL); Colitis + Boswellia serrata (CL+B) and Boswellia serrata + colitis (B+CL). The animals were submitted to intracolonic administration by enema with acetic acid solution diluted to 4% in a volume of 4 ml. The treatment with aqueous plant extract was performed orally at a dose of 34.2 mg/kg diluted in 4 ml of saline. The administration occurred once daily for 48 hours before and after the induction of colitis. We performed the measurement of anal sphincter pressure animals. Histological analyzes of bowel the after were made staining with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry, performed with iNOS antibody. The homogenized intestine was used for evaluation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), assessment of nitric oxide metabolites by the technique of total nitrites and nitrates and evaluation of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx and GSH. Results: The analysis of anal sphincter pressure of the animals in groups CL+B and B+CL showed a significant increase when compared to the CL group. LPO and nitric oxide metabolites levels demonstrated significant decrease in groups CL+B and B+CL when compared to CL. SOD activity showed an increase in CL group and a significant decrease in groups CL+B and B+CL, remainig to the average of the CO group. The GPx and GSH showed a significant increase in groups CL+B and B+CL group when compared to CL group. Conclusion: We suggest that the administration of Boswellia serrata plant extract may be a possibility of antioxidant therapy in ulcerative colitis.

Frankincense, a much revered non-timber forest product (NTFP) known as luban in Oman, is a gum-resin extracted from Boswellia sacra (meqerot). In Oman, B.sacra is endemic to ecological zones in and around Dhofar's southern mountain ranges of Jabal Samhan, Jabal Qamar and Jabal Qara. Hojar (Samhan Nejd), Nejd (Qara Nejd), Shazr (Qamar Nejd) and Sha'b are the four B.sacra ecological zones. A suffix (i) after the name (i.e. Hojari or Samhan Nejdi) is indicative of the luban produced in or associated with the respective zone. Traditional Omani B.sacra ownership, management, organization, and frankincense extraction are based on a land parcel system known as menzela. The 1970's oil boom attracted rural labor to urban and oil operation centers in Dhofar and other provinces, thus creating a labor shortage that had a profound transformative impact on frankincense production. This transformation caused frankincense extraction to evolve from an Omani-controlled system to a Somali-dominated hybrid system. Migrant Somali harvesters predominantly control the production and processing of frankincense in the field. Similarly, wholesalers occupy the next rung up the production ladder are the most powerful players in the frankincense industry.Dhofar has a long history of non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction. From April to mid-June 1999, luban production in the Hojari/Nejdi zone of the study area was estimated at 8,710 kg with a seasonal projection of 24,840kg-30,360kg. B.sacra, a single or multiple stem shrub restricted to wadis in arid environments in or around the Dhofar Mountains, can be found at elevations from 60m above sea level in Wadi Adonib on the coastal plains to 1,770m above sea level in Wadi Kharish (a branch of Wadi Qobyr) in jabal Samhan). Land-use and landcover changes in Dhofar are threatening the fragile stability of B.sacra habitats. Frankincense trees on easily accessible flat or gently sloping terrain are susceptible to stress and mortality from harvesting, grazing and mining, while trees on cliffs and steep slopes are less vulnerable to the effects of these land-use activities.

As science and technology has developed, the manner by which drugs can be delivered has grown. This research explores an alternative method for the delivery of therapeutic compounds to the body. The basis of the study involves the application of traditional medicines on textiles. Boswellia Serrata Extract (B.S.E.) is a common traditional medicine used for curing body pains. The most common form of B.S.E. based products are creams that are applied directly to the skin. Experiments show that these creams were not suitable as a basis for applying to textile materials because the creams contain highly volatile compounds, which on drying the treated textile, post application, cause almost total loss of the B.S.E. The approach used was the application on textiles of a 'commercial' topical medicine applied as a cream for, where B.S.E. is a major constituent. Cotton woven fabric was padded with this cream and tested for washing and rubbing fastness. The presence of highly volatile substances in the topical cream resulted in a negligible amount of the medicine on the dried treated fabric. Another approach was used for the application of B.S.E. onto the textile substrate. A commercially available B.S.E. powder was applied to woven fabric using a pad mangle. Tests were carried out to validate the

Ulm, Univ., Diss., 2003.

Diploma thesis is focused on establishment of forest nurseries and seedling production on Socotra Island where a natural regeneration of many endemic species is limited by overgrazing and has been moreover affected by cyclone that hit the island in 2015. Planting stock of Dracaena cinnabari, Boswellia elongata, Boswellia ameero, Boswellia dioscorides, Punica protopunica, Aloe perryi and mangrove Avicennia marina was planned to be propagated in nurseries located in three areas of interest – Firmihin, Homhil and Niyt. Therefore data about the species seed germination or growth rate were gathered and mentioned in the literature section. The species selection was always firstly preceded by dendrological survey of the area. Individual pilot areas were also described together with climatic data and moreover, soil samples were analysed as the substrate for the seedling production comes from local sources. Finally, the projects for forest nurseries establishment were created and according to them were individual nurseries established.

Yes / Resinous substances were highly prized in the ancient world for use in ritual contexts. Details gleaned from classical literature indicate that they played a significant role in Roman mortuary rites, in treatment of the body and as offerings at the tomb. Outside of Egypt, however, where research has shown that a range of plant exudates were applied as part of the mummification process, resins have rarely been identified in the burial record. This is despite considerable speculation regarding their use across the Roman Empire. Focusing on one region, we investigated organic residues from forty-nine late Roman inhumations from Britain. Using gas chromatographyemass spectrometry and the well-attested biomarker approach, terpenic compounds were characterized in fourteen of the burials analysed. These results provided direct chemical evidence for the presence of exudates from three different plant families: coniferous Pinaceae resins, Mediterranean Pistacia spp. resins (mastic/terebinth) and exotic Boswellia spp. gum-resins (frankincense/olibanum) from southern Arabia or beyond. The individuals accorded this rite had all been interred with a package of procedures more elaborate than the norm. These findings illuminate the multiplicity of roles played by resinous substances in Roman mortuary practices in acting to disguise the odour of decomposition, aiding temporary soft-tissue preservation and signifying the social status of the deceased. Nevertheless, it was their ritual function in facilitating the transition to the next world that necessitated transportation to the most remote outpost of the late Roman Empire, Britain. / R.C.B is supported by a PhD studentship from the Art and Humanities Research Council (43019R00209).