Boswellia - NutraPedia
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Boswellia Overview
1) Conditions Studied
Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, has been studied for various conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Asthma
- Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Certain types of cancers
- Chronic pain
2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions
Research suggests that Boswellia may be effective in treating certain conditions. For example:
- In osteoarthritis, some studies have shown reduced pain and improved mobility.
- It may help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
- Some evidence suggests potential benefits in inflammatory bowel diseases.
However, more research is needed to conclusively determine its efficacy for these and other conditions.
3) Health Benefits
Boswellia is believed to have several health benefits, largely due to its anti-inflammatory properties. These may include:
- Reduction in joint pain and inflammation
- Improvement in respiratory function in people with asthma
- Support for digestive health
- Potential to slow down or prevent the spread of certain cancers
4) Downsides
While Boswellia is generally considered safe, it can have downsides, including:
- Possible side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea
- Potential interactions with other medications
- Not regulated as strictly as pharmaceutical drugs, so quality can vary
5) Genetic Variations and Boswellia
There is limited research on the relationship between genetic variations and the effects of Boswellia. Some genetic variations may influence how an individual metabolizes or responds to herbal supplements, including Boswellia. However, specific interactions with genetic variations are not well-documented and would require further scientific exploration.
Note: The information provided here is not medical advice. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Research Summary on Boswellia
Boswellia, commonly known as frankincense, has been the subject of various research studies focusing on its medicinal properties, particularly its potential applications in treating inflammation and cancer.
Antimicrobial Effects
Essential oils from different types of frankincense (Boswellia rivae, Boswellia neglecta, and Boswellia papyrifera) and myrrh (Commiphora guidotti and Commiphora myrrha) have shown antimicrobial effects against various microorganisms, notably Cryptococcus neoformans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Boswellia extracts have been demonstrated to reduce inflammation in cartilage tissue, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for osteoarthritis. Key components like 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) have been identified as potent inhibitors of pro-inflammatory enzymes.
Clinical Trials and Safety
Clinical trials have evaluated Boswellia extracts for various conditions. For instance, a trial involving brain tumor patients showed promising outcomes with Boswellia serrata gum resin extracts in reducing peritumoral edema. Additionally, safety evaluations of Boswellia extracts have indicated no significant adverse effects at certain dosages.
Psychoactive Effects
Incensole acetate, a component of Boswellia resin incense, produces psychoactive effects by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain, which may explain the traditional use of incense for spiritual enhancement.
Chemical Composition and Analysis
Studies have analyzed the chemical composition of Boswellia oils, identifying a variety of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with some research focusing on developing methods to measure boswellic acids in Boswellia serrata and human plasma using HPLC techniques.
Conclusion
Overall, research suggests that Boswellia has significant potential as a treatment for inflammation, microbial infections, and even certain types of cancer. However, further studies are necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to develop standardized treatments.
References:
- Development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in human plasma
- Chemical differentiation of Boswellia sacra and Boswellia carterii essential oils by gas chromatography and chiral gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
- The additive and synergistic antimicrobial effects of select frankincense and myrrh oils--a combination from the pharaonic pharmacopoeia
- Boswellia frereana (frankincense) suppresses cytokine-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in articular cartilage
- Safety Evaluation of Alcoholic Extract of Boswellia ovalifoliolata Stem-bark in Rats
- Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview
- Determination of major boswellic acids in plasma by high-pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
- Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain
- Phytochemical analysis of the essential oil from botanically certified oleogum resin of Boswellia sacra (Omani Luban)
- [Determination of five boswellic acids in Boswellia serrata]
- Analysis of 12 different pentacyclic triterpenic acids from frankincense in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection
- Incensole acetate reduces depressive-like behavior and modulates hippocampal BDNF and CRF expression of submissive animals
- Efficient preparation of incensole and incensole acetate, and quantification of these bioactive diterpenes in Boswellia papyrifera by a RP-DAD-HPLC method
- A triterpenediol from Boswellia serrata induces apoptosis through both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in human leukemia HL-60 cells
- Activation of p53/p21/PUMA alliance and disruption of PI-3/Akt in multimodal targeting of apoptotic signaling cascades in cervical cancer cells by a pentacyclic triterpenediol from Boswellia serrata
- Complete structural assignment of serratol, a cembrane-type diterpene from Boswellia serrata, and evaluation of its antiprotozoal activity
- [Determination of alpha-pinene and octyl acetate contents in Boswellia serrata]
- Immunomodulatory activity of biopolymeric fraction BOS 2000 from Boswellia serrata
- Regulation of vascular responses to inflammation: inducible matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression in human microvascular endothelial cells is sensitive to antiinflammatory Boswellia
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effect of Aflapin: a novel Boswellia serrata extract
- Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid potentiates apoptosis, inhibits invasion, and abolishes osteoclastogenesis by suppressing NF-kappa B and NF-kappa B-regulated gene expression
- Nuclear factor-kappaB: its role in health and disease
- NF-kappaB activation by tumour necrosis factor requires the Akt serine-threonine kinase
- Missing pieces in the NF-kappaB puzzle
- Involvement of microtubule integrity in memory impairment caused by colchicine
- Microtubule-stabilising drugs for therapy of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders with axonal transport impairments
- Microtubule-stabilising drugs may be therapeutic in AD
- Role of tau protein in both physiological and pathological conditions
- An in vitro study of the role of β-boswellic acid in the microtubule assembly dynamics
- The enhancement effect of beta-boswellic acid on hippocampal neurites outgrowth and branching (an in vitro study)
- Permeation of Boswellia extract in the Caco-2 model and possible interactions of its constituents KBA and AKBA with OATP1B3 and MRP2
- Permeability of lipophilic compounds in drug discovery using in-vitro human absorption model, Caco-2
- In vitro metabolism, permeation, and brain availability of six major boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata gum resins
- Enhanced absorption of boswellic acids by a lecithin delivery form (Phytosome(®)) of Boswellia extract
- Effect of phospholipid-based formulations of Boswellia serrata extract on the solubility, permeability, and absorption of the individual boswellic acid constituents present
- Complexation with phosphatidyl choline as a strategy for absorption enhancement of boswellic acid
- Determination of boswellic acids in brain and plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
- Identification of human cathepsin G as a functional target of boswellic acids from the anti-inflammatory remedy frankincense
- Effect of food intake on the bioavailability of boswellic acids from a herbal preparation in healthy volunteers
- Increased bioavailability of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid following single oral dose frankincense extract administration after a standardized meal in healthy male volunteers: modeling and simulation considerations for evaluating drug exposures
- On the interference of boswellic acids with 5-lipoxygenase: mechanistic studies in vitro and pharmacological relevance
- Metabolism of boswellic acids in vitro and in vivo
- Modulation of Pgp function by boswellic acids
- TRPV3 and TRPV4 mediate warmth-evoked currents in primary mouse keratinocytes
- TRPV3 is a calcium-permeable temperature-sensitive cation channel
- TRPV3 is a temperature-sensitive vanilloid receptor-like protein
- Anticholinesterase activity of endemic plant extracts from Soqotra
- Protective effects of incensole acetate on cerebral ischemic injury
- Response of radiochemotherapy-associated cerebral edema to a phytotherapeutic agent, H15
- Boswellic acids inhibit glioma growth: a new treatment option?
- Long-term efficacy of Boswellia serrata in four patients with chronic cluster headache
- Cluster headache
- Evaluation of systemic administration of Boswellia papyrifera extracts on spatial memory retention in male rats
- Human genome screen to identify the genetic basis of the anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia in microvascular endothelial cells
- Antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic effects of the NF-kappaB inhibitor acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in LPS-challenged ApoE-/- mice
- Comparative efficacy and tolerability of 5-Loxin and AflapinAgainst osteoarthritis of the knee: a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical study
- NF-kappaB and bone: the breaking point
- Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study
- Randomized double blind trial of an ayurvedic plant derived formulation for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
- A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical study evaluates the early efficacy of aflapin in subjects with osteoarthritis of knee
- A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
- Clinical evaluation of Boswellia serrata (Shallaki) resin in the management of Sandhivata (osteoarthritis)
- Evidence of effectiveness of herbal antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain
- Complementary therapies, herbs, and other OTC agents: Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)
- The 5-lipoxygenase/leukotriene pathway in obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease
- Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis
- Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA): structure requirements for binding and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity
- Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase
- Mechanism of 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid
- Mechanism of antiinflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids
- Identification and functional analysis of cyclooxygenase-1 as a molecular target of boswellic acids
- Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids
- Boswellic acids: biological actions and molecular targets
- Boswellic acids from frankincense inhibit lipopolysaccharide functionality through direct molecular interference
- Binding of polymyxin B to the lipid A portion of bacterial lipopolysaccharides
- Incensole acetate, a novel anti-inflammatory compound isolated from Boswellia resin, inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B activation
- Neutrophil serine proteases: specific regulators of inflammation
- Inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 as a molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory actions of boswellic acids from frankincense
- Membrane prostaglandin E synthase-1: a novel therapeutic target
- A novel C(28)-hydroxylated lupeolic acid suppresses the biosynthesis of eicosanoids through inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)
- Inhibition by boswellic acids of human leukocyte elastase
- Anticomplementary activity of boswellic acids--an inhibitor of C3-convertase of the classical complement pathway
- A new vaccine adjuvant (BOS 2000) a potent enhancer mixed Th1/Th2 immune responses in mice immunized with HBsAg
- Prevention of multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) diabetes in mice by an extract from gum resin of Boswellia serrata (BE)
- Inhibitory effect of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid on androgen receptor by interference of Sp1 binding activity in prostate cancer cells
- 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibiting constituents from Eriobotrya japonica revealed by bioactivity-guided isolation and computational approaches
- Effect of Boswellia serrata on intestinal motility in rodents: inhibition of diarrhoea without constipation
- Prevention of colonic fibrosis by Boswellia and Scutellaria extracts in rats with colitis induced by 2,4,5-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid
- Herbal medicine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis
- Effect of Boswellia serrata on antioxidant status in an experimental model of colitis rats induced by acetic acid
- Mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of boswellic acid derivatives in experimental colitis
- Serum inhibitors of leukocyte chemotaxis in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Interventions for treating collagenous colitis
- Boswellia serrata extract for the treatment of collagenous colitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial
- Effect of exclusion diet with nutraceutical therapy in juvenile Crohn's disease
- Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Boswellia serrata in maintaining remission of Crohn's disease: good safety profile but lack of efficacy
- Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA); targeting oral cavity pathogens
- In vitro anti-biofilm activity of Boswellia spp. oleogum resin essential oils
- Evaluation of the efficacy of ginger, Arabic gum, and Boswellia in acute and chronic renal failure
- Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study
- Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Natural anti-inflammatory products and leukotriene inhibitors as complementary therapy for bronchial asthma
- Isolation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) inhibitors from frankincense using a molecularly imprinted polymer
- Cellular adaptation to hypoxia: O2-sensing protein hydroxylases, hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, and O2-regulated gene expression
- Hypoxia inducible factor-1: a novel target for cancer therapy
- Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid inhibits prostate tumor growth by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated angiogenesis
- Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid induces apoptosis in HL-60 and CCRF-CEM cells and inhibits topoisomerase I
- Interaction between natural compounds and human topoisomerase I
- Boswellic acids and malignant glioma: induction of apoptosis but no modulation of drug sensitivity
- A lipoxygenase inhibitor in breast cancer brain metastases
- Boswellic acid induces epigenetic alterations by modulating DNA methylation in colorectal cancer cells
- Boswellic acid exerts antitumor effects in colorectal cancer cells by modulating expression of the let-7 and miR-200 microRNA family
- LY294002 enhances boswellic acid-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells
- Chemoprevention of intestinal adenomatous polyposis by acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in APC(Min/+) mice
- Inhibitory effect of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid on androgen receptor by interference of Sp1 binding activity in prostate cancer cells
- Mechanisms of constitutive NF-kappaB activation in human prostate cancer cells
- Characterization of 3alpha-acetyl-11-keto-alpha-boswellic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid inducing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
- Acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid induces apoptosis through a death receptor 5-mediated pathway in prostate cancer cells
- Bosellia serrata-induced apoptosis is related with ER stress and calcium release
- A cyano analogue of boswellic acid induces crosstalk between p53/PUMA/Bax and telomerase that stages the human papillomavirus type 18 positive HeLa cells to apoptotic death
- A comparative study of proapoptotic potential of cyano analogues of boswellic acid and 11-keto-boswellic acid
- Targeting signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription-3 for prevention and therapy of cancer: modern target but ancient solution
- Boswellic acid blocks signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 signaling, proliferation, and survival of multiple myeloma via the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1
- Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid suppresses invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through the downregulation of CXCR4 chemokine receptor expression
- Boswellia sacra essential oil induces tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells
- Studies of the in vitro anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of selected Yemeni medicinal plants from the island Soqotra
- Expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 and CXCR4 ligand receptor system in pancreatic cancer: a possible role for tumor progression
- Boswellic acid suppresses growth and metastasis of human pancreatic tumors in an orthotopic nude mouse model through modulation of multiple targets
- Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model
- Anti-inflammatory actions of pentacyclic triterpenes
- Effects of topical boswellic acid on photo and age-damaged skin: clinical, biophysical, and echographic evaluations in a double-blind, randomized, split-face study
- Topical Boswellic acids for treatment of photoaged skin
- Safety and toxicological evaluation of Aflapin: a novel Boswellia-derived anti-inflammatory product
- BHUx: a patented polyherbal formulation to prevent hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis
- Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of individual and combined extracts from Commiphora myrrha, and Boswellia carterii
- Boswellia serrata and Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts reduce DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice by TGF-beta1 downregulation
- Safety and Toxicological Evaluation of a Novel, Standardized 3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-beta-Boswellic Acid (AKBA)-Enriched Boswellia serrata Extract (5-Loxin(R))
- Mutagenicity evaluation with Ames test of hydro-alcoholic solution of terpenes
- In vivo genotoxicity evaluation of a plant based antiarthritic and anticancer therapeutic agent Boswelic acids in rodents
- Allergic contact dermatitis from Boswellia serrata extract in a naturopathic cream
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