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Boswellia serrata Roxb
Natural Encyclopaedia

Boswellia

FAMILY: Burseraceae.

HABITAT: native to the subtropical regions of Africa and Saudi Arabia.

USED PART: resin, gums.

RECOMMENDED PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS: nebulised dry extract titrated in boswellic acids min. 4%, as shown in the scientific literature. A very recommendable extract is one containing 65% boswellic acids.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: is a plant rich in oleoresins, which are mixtures of resins and essential oils. The resinous fraction is mainly composed of triterpenes. There is also a certain amount of gum and gum resin. Gummoresin represents the medicinal part of the plant; it contains an essential oil (16%), the main constituents of which are α-tujene and p-cymene and pentacyclic triterpene acids (50%), called boswellic acids, which are considered the active ingredients of boswellia. Boswellic acids include β- boswellic acid, keto-β-boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-oxo- tirucallic acid. The resin also has polysaccharides.(1)

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory action. The anti-inflammatory effects of boswellia and boswellic acids have been linked to their ability to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis. In fact, boswellic acids are powerful and selective inhibitors of lipoxygenase, the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of leukotrienes.
Furthermore, this plant also seems to be able to inhibit human leucocyte elastase, a proteinase involved in chronic inflammatory processes. (1)

In vivo studies

Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of boswellia. Among them, an in vivo study investigated this action of Boswellia extract and one of its constituents, acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), on leucocyte-endothelial cell interactions in an experimental model of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). What has emerged is that Boswellia has an anti-inflammatory action in IBD in the experimental animal model (2).

In addition to its anti-inflammatory action, B.serrata also possesses an anti-ulcer action, which is especially present when non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used (3).

Clinical evidence

In a clinical study on a group of patients with moderately severe ulcerative rectocolitis, dry extract of boswellia titrated to 65% boswellic acids was administered by mouth for 6 weeks, and as a control a group of patients with the same disease but receiving 1g. per day of sulfalazine by mouth was taken. The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect was made on a series of tests performed both before and after the therapy.

At the end of the trial, the improvement in the examined parameters averaged 82% with boswellia and 75% with sulfalazine.(4)

Antioxidant action

In an in vivo study, the antioxidant action of B. serrata extract was evaluated in an experimental model of acute ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid (AA) administration. B. serrata extract was administered (34.2 mg/kg/day) for 2 days before and after induction of colitis with AA.

The results of the study showed that:

  • Lipid peroxidation was statistically significantly reduced in the treated group versus the positive control group (p<0.001).
  • Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity was reduced in the treated group versus the positive control group (p<0.001).
  • Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased significantly in the treated group versus the positive control group (p<0.05).
  • Glutathione (GSH) enzyme activity increased significantly compared to the positive control (p<0.05).

From the results obtained, the authors conclude that B. serrata extract contains active antioxidant substances that exert protective effects in experimentally induced acute colitis.(5)

Antibacterial action

In this in vitro study (16), the antimicrobial capabilities of boswellic acids (AKBA, KBA, BA) were analysed on 112 bacterial species. Species commonly found within the gastrointestinal tract were examined: E. fecalis, E. faecium, S. aureus. MICs obtained for these species showed that the most active boswellic acid in terms of antimicrobial action is 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA): E. faecalis -> mean MIC 6 ug/ml; E. faecium -> mean MIC 6 ug/ml; S. aureus -> mean MIC 2 ug/ml. (6)

Based on this evidence, combined with clinical results related to the anti-inflammatory activity of B. serrata extract, this plant species is now used as an adjuvant in chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease. (7)

  • Prevalent action: anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving.
  • Other actions: anti-allergic.
  • Main indications: improves the functionality of the digestive system and is also useful in acute infections of the first airways, febrile and painful states in general, arthro-rheumatic diseases, minor sports injuries, menstrual pain, mild to moderate headaches, especially of the musculotensive type.

SIDE EFFECTS: rare cases of allergic skin reactions.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: none known.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: not known.

TOXICOLOGICAL DATA: No adverse effects were observed in the rat on the foetus or on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, nor on the nervous system. The lethal dose in the rat by mouth is at least 100 times higher than recommended.
Boswellic acids administered by mouth at a dose of 500 mg per kg of weight per day for 6 consecutive days to fasted rats proved not to damage the stomach in any way. There are no data on its use during pregnancy and lactation. It can be used in paediatric settings from 4 years of age.

 

Bibliography:

  • F.Capasso, G. Grandolini, A,A, Izzo. Fitoterapia, Impiego razionale delle droghe vegetali. Spinger 2006 (p.521)
  • Madisch A, Miehlke S, Eichele O, Mrwa J, Bethke B, Kuhlisch E, Bästlein E, Wilhelms G, Morgner A, Wigginghaus B, Stolte M. Boswellia serrata extract for the treatment of collagenous colitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2007 Dec;22(12):1445-51 Epub 2007 Sep 2.
  • Singh S et al. The gastric ulcer protective effect of boswellic acids, a leukotriene inhibitor from Boswellia serrata, in rat. Phytomedicine. 2008 Jun;15(6-7):408-15
  • 4.Singh G.B. et al. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Agents Actions 18, 407-412, 1986.
  • Hartmann RM et al. Effect of Boswellia serrata on antioxidant status in an experimental model of colitis rats induced by acetic acid. Dig Dis Sci. 2012 Aug;57(8):2038-44
  • Alsaba F Raja et al. Antistaphylococcal and biofilm inhibitory activities of acetyl-11-keto-b-boswellic acid from Boswellia serrata. BMC Microbiology 2011, 11:54
  • Ammon HP. Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids. Phytomedicine. 2010 Sep;17(11):862-7.