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Abstract
The gum resin of Boswellia serrata, known in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as Salai guggal, contains boswellic acids, which have been shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study forty patients, 23 males and 17 females in the age range of 18 - 75 years having mean duration of illness, bronchial asthma, of 9.58 +/- 6.07 years were treated with a preparation of gum resin of 300 mg thrice daily for a period of 6 weeks. 70% of patients showed improvement of disease as evident by disappearance of physical symptoms and signs such as dyspnoea, rhonchi, number of attacks, increase in FEV subset1, FVC and PEFR as well as decrease in eosinophilic count and ESR. In the control group of 40 patients 16 males and 24 females in the age range of 14-58 years with mean of 32.95 +/- 12.68 were treated with lactose 300 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks. Only 27% of patients in the control group showed improvement. The data show a definite role of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in the treatment of bronchial asthma.
... It was believed that the decoctions contain active ingredients from Boswellia, which are useful in treating the above-mentioned diseases. Furthermore, the extract was used to treat bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness, dyspnea, cough, and cold [73,74]. ...
... This study demonstrates that a gum resin preparation from B. serrata might be effective in the treatment of chronic colitis, with minimal side effects [67,76]. The same research group evaluated the effects of B. serrata gum resin on the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma [74]. Their data demonstrated that 70% of patients treated with 300 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks showed improvement of disease, evident by the disappearance of physical symptoms and signs such as dyspnea, rhonchi, number of attacks, as well as a decrease in eosinophilic counts. ...
... Their data demonstrated that 70% of patients treated with 300 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks showed improvement of disease, evident by the disappearance of physical symptoms and signs such as dyspnea, rhonchi, number of attacks, as well as a decrease in eosinophilic counts. The control group (treated with placebo) only showed 27% of improvements in symptoms [74]. These data imply that gum resin from B. serrata could serve as a pharmacological agent in the treatment of bronchial asthma. ...
Boswellia trees, found throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, are the source of frankincense oil. Since antiquity, frankincense has been traded as a precious commodity, but it has also been used for the treatment of chronic disease, inflammation, oral health, and microbial infection. More recently, the bioactive components of Boswellia trees have been identified and characterized for their effects on cancer, microbial infection (especially infection by oral pathogens), and inflammation. Most studies have focused on cell lines, but more recent research has also investigated effects in animal models of disease. As natural products are considered to be safer than synthetic drugs, there is growing interest in further developing the use of substances such as frankincense oil for therapeutic treatment.
... [3][4][5]. Natural products continue to encourage to carry out research on their pharmacological activity as a major source of drugs for future development ( Table 1) [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Normally, "natural products" are a combination of various compounds and have been shown to inhibit inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, PGE2 and several cytokines via complex mechanisms [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. ...
... Natural products continue to encourage to carry out research on their pharmacological activity as a major source of drugs for future development ( Table 1) [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Normally, "natural products" are a combination of various compounds and have been shown to inhibit inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, PGE2 and several cytokines via complex mechanisms [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. ...
Modulation of Prostaglandin E2 with Natural Products for Better Management of Pain and Inflammation
... Botanical medicines have gained traction in the research and clinical communities as effective agents with better safety profiles. Boswellia resin extracts and its active compounds such as Boswellic acids (BAs) and other triterpenoids have shown significant anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in cerebrovascular diseases, brain edema, stroke, osteoarthritis and asthma (17)(18)(19)(20). Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory activities of BAs are mediated by the direct inhibition of both 5-LOX and IκB kinase (IKK), which leads to the inhibition of NF-κB pathway and reduction of inflammatory molecules (21)(22)(23). ...
... The remaining patients (n = 100) were randomized and allocated to Boswellia (n = 50) and placebo (n = 50) groups. Twenty (20) patients overall discontinued the trial of which 13 for non-related surgical procedures, and 7 for personal reasons. The trial interruptions were not due to adverse events or efficacy issues. ...
Background:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. TBI can result in neuropsychiatric and cognitive problems as well as neurodegenerative pathologies that can appear right after or develop and persist years after injury.
Method:
We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on patients who suffered from TBI three months to three years ago. The patients were randomized to placebo (n = 34) or K-Vie™ group (n = 46) for a treatment period of 3 months. The main primary outcomes include cognitive assessment in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Recognition Test (RAVLT), Wechsler adult intelligence Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and trail-making test part B (TMT-B). Assessments were performed at baseline and at the month 3 follow-up visit. Linear mixed models were carried out to evaluate cognitive changes from baseline across all cognitive assessment tests.
Result:
The current study showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in cognitive function of patients who were given K-Vie™ compared with placebo across the RAVLT, DSST and TMT-B performance assessments. A larger cohort would be beneficial to further confirm the clinical utility of K-Vie™ and assess its effects in acute phases of TBI.
... It is used in massages, baths, and treatment of "cough", "excessive discharge or buildup of mucus" in the nose or throat, asthma, and "bronchitis". [33] • It was seen that "alcoholic extract" of "Boswellia serrata" has a notable effect on "asthma". A double-blind placebo control clinical study was conducted and it was found to show a promising "anti-asthmatic effect". ...
... Furthermore, out of the total patients that were made to administer the ethanolic extract of Salaiguggal guggal orally the 68% of the patients showed recovery in physical symptoms and signs of "bronchitis". [33,34] Hypoglycemic Activity ...
“Boswellia serrata” is a herb used for ages in the Indian system of medicine and other systems of medicines across the world. It comes under the family “Burseraceae”. The Boswellia serrata is called by various local names in different regions, out of which “Kundur” “salai” “guggul” “Shallaki” are very prominently used. “Shallaki” is a widely used active ingredient in the “Unani” “Siddha” and “Ayurvedic” medicines oriented for the treatment of inflammation and pain. It is also used as a component to add fragrance to the products. Boswellia serrata plant contains oleo-gum resins and the ASU drug manufacturer mostly use this resin to prepare Boswellia-oriented drugs and this practice of using resin as the key component of drugs is very old and effective. In ancient ayurvedic texts, particular methods describe the extraction, purification, and usage of this oleo gum resin. Now in the modern era, when a lot of research has been done on this plant and its parts, this plant has come out to be even more important as it is found to be showing specific characteristics beneficial for treating illnesses such as dysentery, urinary tract disorders, hemorrhoids, ulcers, and dyspepsia. The present review provides an overview of some pharmacological activities and the importance of “Salaiguggal” or “ Boswellia serrata “. “Salai guggal” is rich in essential oils, and therefore, it becomes important for the perfume industries as its essential oils are soothing to smell and show therapeutic effects. The essential oils of Boswellia serrata are a mixture of different boswellic acids such as “mono-terpenes”, “di-tepenes” and “sesqui-terpenes”. Whereas the oleo gum resin of “ Boswellia serrata “ comprises monosaccharides such as pentose and hexose sugars. The oleo gum resin of this plant is highly recommended by almost every medical practitioner who deals in herbal medicines as it has shown a huge range of effective characteristics in asthma, cancer, microbial/fungal infections, inflammation, arthritis, diarrhea, and also as an analgesic. A proper systematic literature review was done using different databases that were available online like Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect.
... New pharmacological studies have shown that in addition to anti-inflammatory effects, these compounds regulate the immune system, inhibit leukotriene synthesis, have antioxidant properties and protect the liver [10,11]. They further lower blood sugar [12] and triglycerides [13] and have a positive effect on memory [10]. They are thus used to prevent [14] and treat Alzheimer's disease [15]. ...
... Opportunistically pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms have long posed a major threat to humanity because they cause a variety of diseases. Although many synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and immunosuppressants are well established for use in various types of disease, their long-term use is limited by related side effects or the development of microbial resistance to these drugs [12,38,39]. The need for safe, readily available and effective treatment of various types of diseases leads to the study of herbal medicines. ...
The use of antibiotics or antifungals to control infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms is currently insufficiently effective because of their emerging resistance. Thanks to the ability of microorganisms to form a biofilm and thus increase their resistance to administered drugs even more, modern medicine faces the task of finding novel substances to combat infections caused by them. In this regard, the effects of essential oils or plant extracts are often studied. Among the relatively neglected plants is Boswellia serrata, which has a high content of biologically active boswellic acids. In this study, we focused on one of the most common nosocomial infections, which are caused by Candida species. The most common representative is C. albicans, although the number of infections caused by non-albicans species has recently been increasing. We focused on the antifungal activity of Boswellia serrata extract Bioswellix against planktonic and adhering cells of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei. The antifungal activity against adhering cells was further explored by determining the metabolic activity of cells (MTT) and determining the total amount of biofilm using crystal violet. Boswellic acid-containing plant extract was shown to suppress the growth of a suspension population of all tested Candida species. Boswellia serrata extract Bioswellix was most effective in inhibiting C. albicans biofilm formation.
... This part is soluble in water and contains polysaccharide and polymeric parts, whereas the resin part is soluble in alcohol and terpenes. Abundant studies on the natal activity of B. serrata gum-resin extract have revealed its efficacy against inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis [18], inflammatory bowel disease [19], cancer [20], asthma [21] and ulcerative colitis [22]. Boswellic acid has shown its activity by inhibiting enzyme 5-LOX [23] HLE [24], cathepsin G [25] and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase [26]. ...
Background
The present study revealed the grafting of extracted oleo gum resin of Boswellia serrata with polyacrylamide by conventional method with a principle of radical polymerization by using potassium per sulfate/ascorbic acid as redox initiator. A series of copolymer were synthesized using varying concentration of acrylamide at varying temperature. The optimum ratio for grafting was selected (1:2.5), on the basis of percent grafting and grafting efficiency. The grafted gum was further used as a nanocarrier to encapsulate cefuroxime axetil for their sustained release. Then, the nanoparticles were further analyzed by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy, and DLS. The encapsulation efficiency (%), loading capacity (%) and drug content (%) was also calculated.
Result
The optimized nanoparticles have shown spherical morphology with dimension of 209.4 ± 20.46 nm along with entrapment efficiency (62.47 ± 4.23%), loading capacity (33.57 ± 3.01%) and drug content (89.35 ± 6.47%). The prepared nanoparticles had found to be more stable at 4 °C. The experiential results rationalize the effectiveness of cefuroxime axetil-loaded boswellic acid nanoparticles owing to higher cellular uptake, nonstop intercellular drug withholding and improved antiproliferative effect by initiating apoptosis.
Conclusion
The significant anti-arthritic effect of developed nanoparticles may be endorsed due to its dimension, encapsulation efficiency, and long-lasting drug release profile. Thus, the developed nanoparticles may assume to be a hopeful formulation for rheumatoid arthritis, which requires further investigation and may recommend a novel track to arthritis patients.
... Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are abnormal mucosal immune responses with changes in the composition of gut microflora [22]. Frankincense has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves ulcerative colitis symptoms [23][24][25]. It can also induce remission in patients with Crohn's disease [26,27]. ...
Background
Herbal medicine is commonly integrated with conventional medicine in Saudi Arabia, especially for the management of digestive disorders. However, the majority of Saudis use herbal remedies without prior consultation with a physician, which raises concerns about their appropriate and safe use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness among the Saudi population regarding the proper utilization and potential adverse effects of frequently used herbs for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from January to March 2021. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was distributed.
Results
A total of 543 participants from different age groups, educational levels, and cities across Saudi Arabia completed the study questionnaire. The most commonly used herbs at home by the participants were: myrrh, parsley, black seed, chamomile, mint, anise, clove, and green tea. 57.7% of the participants perceived herbs as safer than conventional medicines; 27.3% reported that using herbal remedies over conventional medicine was a family tradition, and 21.4% used herbs because they were cheaper than conventional medicines.
Conclusion
Herbal remedies, including myrrh, parsley, blackseed, chamomile, mint, and anise, are commonly employed for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Saudi Arabia. However, the knowledge level of participants regarding potential side effects and drug-herb interactions was found to be deficient. As such, there is a pressing need for educational campaigns and community awareness programs to elucidate the proper usage of herbal remedies and to caution against their potential adverse effects.
... The ability to increase aqueous solubility is thus a valuable aid to increase the efficacy for certain drugs [7] . Based on the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS), drug substances are classified into four categories according to their solubility and permeability properties, as shown in Figure1.1 [8,9] For the drugs exhibiting low solubility but reasonable membrane permeability, which are categorised as BCS class II, it is obvious that for Class II drugs the low ability to dissolve is a more important limitation to their overall rate and extent of absorption than their ability to permeate through the intestinal epithelia. Formulation plays a major role in determining the rate and extent of absorption of such drugs from the gastrointestinal tract. ...
... Treatment with B. serrata was demonstrated to be effective in bronchial asthma management (37)(38)(39), reducing the need for the standard therapeutic approaches of long-acting β 2 -ago-nist and corticosteroid inhalation (40). Indeed, the use of non-specific β 2 -agonists may result in cardiovascular and neurological side effects (41), and the use of corticosteroids in children has been associated with the suppression of growth (42); hence new and safer therapeutic approaches are demanded. ...
... Getah dari Boswellia telah lama digunakan dan dikonsumsi oleh masyarakat. Beberapa penelitian menemukan potensinya sebagai pengobatan radang sendi, asma, dan kanker (Xia et al., 2017;Gupta et al., 1998). Ekstrak Boswellia serrata telah diidentifikasi berperan sebagai agen antiinflamasi, antioksidan, dan antikanker. ...
Getah kemenyan dengan genus Boswellia telah lama digunakan secara tradisional pada beberapa penyakit. Kandungan Boswellia salah satunya adalah asam boswellic. Asam boswellic memiliki aktivitas neuroprotektif dan antiinflamasi. Beberapa jenis asam boswellic yang paling banyak diteliti mengenai efek farmakologi adalah asam 11-keto-β-boswelik (KBA), asam asetil-11-keto-β-boswellik (AKBA), dan β-boswelik (βBA). βBA diteliti memiliki efektivitas permeabel terhadap Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) dibandingkan jenis asam boswellic lainnya. Oleh karena itu, βBA memiliki potensi yang lebih besar dalam pengaruhnya pada otak terutama hippocampus. Review ini bertujuan untuk memberikan informasi lengkap dan membahas mengenai pengaruh boswellic acid pada performa hippocampus di otak terutama efek pada fungsi kognitif, efek farmakologis pada studi in vivo dan invitro, serta mekanisme molekuler sehingga diharapkan dapat menjadi pengetahuan sebagai acuan dalam melakukan penelitian lanjutan. Pemberian asam boswellic memberikan efek neuroprotektif dan antiinflamasi pada hippocampus sehingga dapat bekerja menghambat apoptosis sel di hippocampus, meningkatkan viabilitas sel saraf, dan meningkatkan kemampuan learning dan memori serta kognitif melalui anti-infalamasi. Beberapa mekanisme molekuler asam boswellic yang dapat mempengaruhi performa hippocampus adalah 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX), peningkatan Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), penekanan aktifitas acetylcholinesterase (AChE), dan pengaturan Ca (2+/-) dan protein kinase teraktivasi mitogen (MAPK). Akan tetapi, penelitian mengenai pengaruh boswellic acid pada performa hippocampus masih sangat terbatas dan perlu dilakukan penelitian lebih lanjut terutama pada manusia.
... In a double-blind placebo control clinical study alcohol extract was given in a 300 mg thrice daily dose for 6 weeks. 70% of asthmatic patients gained clinical improvement [44]. Similarly, gradual control of asthma, regarding the frequency of attacks, pulmonary function tests improvement, and lowering levels of leukotrienes were obtained by another study [45]. ...
Boswellia serrata is an ancient and valuable herb that was widely used throughout the centuries. Boswellia trees grow in India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East from which Frankincense or olibanum resin is taken. The beneficial effects of Boswellia and its active ingredients (Boswellic acids) were thoroughly investigated in many diseases. Where the non-redox and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory actions were reported. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mainly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Although the cause is still unclear, the immune system is claimed to have the upper hand in the pathogenesis of IBD. Several studies have demonstrated the ameliorating effect of Boswellic acids on the severity of IBD and the potential role of Boswellia in the induction or maintenance of remission. The aim of this chapter is to explore the the possible effect of Boswellia in IBD management as a complementary and alternative strategy.
... The tree grows in dry mountainous regions of India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. 1 Boswelliaserrataextract (BSE) is used in Indian ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. [2][3][4] Recently, Gotaet al reported the efficacy of solid lipid Boswelliaserrataparticles (SLBSP) in Osteoarthritis of knee. 5 Boswellic acids (BAs) have been identified as the major active components of the gum resin extract of Boswelliaserrata. ...
Boswellic acids (BAs) including 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) are the active principles of Boswelliaserrata extract (BSE) which is used in traditional Indian medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. BAs are characterized by low oral bioavailability. In order to circumvent this problem, solid lipid boswelliaserrata particles (SLBSP) were developed which is essentially a complexation of BAs with phospholipids such as phosphatidyl choline. The objective of this study was to compare the metabolic stability of SLBSP versus plain BSE using HHL-17, a Human telomere inactivated hepatocyte cell line. The two
formulations were incubated in HHL-17 for time points ranging from 30 minutes to 480 minutes. At the end of incubation period, cells were lysed and concentration of KBA and AKBA in the cell lysates was estimated using a validated LC-MS/MS technique. It was observed that KBA from plain BSE was cleared by the hepatocytes with a half-life of 5.8 hours, whereas, KBA from SLBSP exhibited lesser accumulation in hepatocytes and lowmetabolic clearance. No difference was observed in the rate of metabolism of AKBA from the two formulations. It can be concluded that phospholipid complexation confers metabolic stability to KBA by rendering it less permeable into human hepatocytes.
... 2%. These benefits were documented through the clinical study by Gupta et al in 1998 for respiratory disease, Hasson et al, in 2011 for antibacterial activities, Hosain et al, (2019) who extracted active ingredients with immune-stimulant activities, and in 1984 by Maupetit et al, who used frankincense in cosmetic preparations.[22][23][24][25]. ...
... Resins and gum resins are extracted from plant sources. Several other studies investigated the anti-inflammatory, anti-leukotriene, antiacetylcholinesterase, and anticancer activity of the resin and especially its major components, the boswellic acid derivatives(Ali et al. 2008;Wahab et al. 1987;Ammon et al. 1993;Ammon et al. 1991;Gupta et al. 1997;Gupta et al. 1998;Shao, et al. 1998). ...
Chapter 7: Role of Aroma Therapy in relieving pain
Chapter 8: Aromatherapy for relieving mental stress
... This reduced systemic inflammation correlated with cognitive and functional improvement in patients with AD following the 6-month treatment. Boswellia extracts have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidants effects in CNS diseases like in patients with stroke and brain tumors [36,37] as well as in other inflammationrelated diseases such as Crohn's disease [53], asthma [54], or osteoarthritis [55]. By contrast, other antiinflammatory cytokine like IL-8 increased after 1 month, suggesting that boswellia restores the inflammatory balance. ...
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains an incurable neurodegenerative disorder. Neuroinflammation has been now recognized as an important player in the pathogenesis of AD. We conducted a clinical trial to measure whether boswellic acids (K‐Vie™, an enriched Boswellia extract) can improve cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms while reducing inflammation in patients with AD. We conducted a placebo‐controlled clinical trial including a total of 85 patients with mild‐to‐moderate (based on MMSE) Alzheimer’s disease randomized to Boswellia (n = 43) and placebo (n = 42) groups. The treatment doses were 400 mg K‐Vie™ capsule, thrice a day (1200 mg/day), versus matching placebo. Of 85 patients, 43 were assigned to Boswellia and 42 to the placebo group. There were 8 dropouts. The median age of study participants was ∼71 (range, 63‐85) for the Boswellia and ∼70 (range, 61‐81) for the placebo group with 54.5% females and 45.5% males. After 6 months of treatment, there was a significant increase of the MMSE scores with a 1.7 (df = 39, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.1) unit in the Boswellia group compared to ‐1.4 (df = 36, 95% CI ‐2.0 to ‐0.9) unit decrease in the placebo group. There was also a significant decrease of the CDR‐SOB scores in the boswellia group with ‐0.8 (df = 39, 95% CI ‐1.1 to ‐0.6) unit difference, whereas the placebo group saw a 0.8 (df = 36, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.2) unit increase from baseline to 6 months. The analysis of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI‐Q) revealed a significant ‐3.4 (df = 27, 95% CI ‐6.1 to ‐0.8) unit decrease, whereas the placebo group did not show a significant change (p = 0.08) (df = 23, 95% CI ‐0.4 to 6.9). Patients receiving Boswellia showed a significant decrease as compared to placebo in plasma levels of several key pro‐inflammatory cytokines including IL‐6 (F(1,38) = 71.1, p<0.0001), TNF‐α (F(1,35) = 14.8, p = 0.0005), and IL‐1α (F(1,38) = 33.4, p<0.0001) as well as a significant increase in the plasma level of amyloid‐β42/amyloid‐β40 ratio (F(1,36) = 19.3, p<0.0001). No serious adverse events were observed during the trial. This study suggests that a reduction of systemic inflammatory biomarkers correlates with improvement in brain and cognitive function. Decreasing inflammation may represent a novel avenue to effectively treat AD.
... It is frequently prescribed in the Unani System of Medicine for skin conditions, corneal ulcers, osteoarthritis, dysentery, chronic inflammatory illnesses, wound healing, and diarrhea [36], used as an antiobesity [58] and anticonvulsant agent [59], and is beneficial in liver fibrosis [60] and several cancers [61][62][63][64][65]. Boswellia resin is used to prevent and treat colitis and ulcerative colitis. B. Serrata shows satisfactory antioxidant activity in the cerebrovascular system [66,67] and various inflammatory conditions [68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77] and exerts antipyretic, antiatherosclerotic, and analgesic activity [38,[78][79][80] in inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, and arthritis, including osteoarthritis, and pain [81][82][83][84][85]. It has also been used as an antiseptic in mouthwashes [86] and for treating chronic inflammatory diseases [87][88][89]. ...
Organic materials have been the subject of numerous recent cosmetics studies. Plant extracts and/or plant-derived resources in the Middle East have significant potential in many cosmetic fields because they exhibit useful properties that promote the repair of cellular functions and improve skin conditions. Multiple organic substances from these resources have long-lasting environmental effects, extensive storage capacities, and affect human physiological activity. Recent studies have revealed that Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) and Boswellia serrata (frankincense) extracts can prevent aging, acne, and spots while enhancing skin moisture and suppleness. Given that myrrh and frankincense exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that significantly improve human health, their utilization in various cosmetic products has received attention from global cosmetic corporations. This review details the bioactive compounds and cosmeceutical properties of myrrh and frankincense and their use in cosmetic formulations.
... Oral AKBA also inhibited human prostate tumor growth in xenograft mice through inhibition of angiogenesis induced by VEGFR2 signaling pathways [20]. Additionally, clinical trials have shown that B. serrata is effective in in ammatory conditions such as arthritis PMID: 32549135 [21], bronchial asthma [13,22], and gingivitis [23] with a strong safety pro le. ...
Background
Boswellic acids, the active components of frankincense, have been shown to suppress tumor proliferation and apoptosis in vitro with a strong clinical trial safety profile in patients with inflammatory diseases. We performed a Phase Ia window of opportunity trial of Boswellia serrata (B. serrata), the plant that produces frankincense, in patients with breast cancer to evaluate its biologic activity and safety.
Methods
This was a Phase Ia window of opportunity trial invasive breast cancer patients treated pre-operatively with B. Serrata (2400 mg/day PO) until the night before surgery. Paraffin-embedded sections from pretreatment diagnostic core biopsies were evaluated using a tunnel assay and immunohistochemistry staining with Ki-67 antibodies. A non-intervention control arm consisted of core and surgical tissue specimens from untreated patients was used to compare to patients treated with B. Serrata. The change in proliferation and apoptosis between diagnostic core specimens and specimens obtained at surgery was compared between the control and treatment groups using a two-tailed paired t-test.
Results
There was an increase in percent change in proliferation from core biopsy to surgical excision in the control group (n = 18) of 54.6 ± 21.4%. In the B. serrata-treated group there was a reduction in proliferation between core biopsy and excision (n = 18) of 13.8 ± 11.7%. The difference between core and surgical specimens was statistically significant between the control and B. serrata-treated groups (p = 0.008). There was no difference in change in apoptosis. There were no serious adverse events related to the drug.
Conclusion
Boswellia serrata inhibited breast cancer proliferation in vivo in a clinically well-tolerated Phase Ia window of opportunity trial.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier NCT03149081, date of registration May 11, 2017
... 38,39 Hepatoprotective Activity: 40 Antigastritis activity 41 Hypoglycemic Activity. 42 Anti-Asthmatic Activity: 43 Ba mbusa arundinacea 30 Anti-ischemic Heart Disease Activity: 99 Bronchodilatory Activity: 100 Nephro protective effect 101 ...
Majoon Halaila is polypharmaceutical preparation of Unani System of Medicine given particularly in old age to counter the effects of ageing such as greying of hair, decreased body strength, decreased memory power, weakness of heart etc. It is an electuary which is prepared especially for the people engaged in mental work. It is a compound of Halailajat with other ingredients prepared by the process of Ajin (mixing), in a semisolid form hence, renamed as Majoon Halaila. This compound formulation contains 10 ingredients that possess cardiac tonic, exhilarant, memory enhancer, brain tonic activities. It is being particularly used in age related dementia as well as to counter the effects of ageing in Unani system of Medicine.
... Acetyl-11-ketoβ-boswellic acid is the most effective in inhibiting the enzymewhich is responsible for inflammation, i.e 5lipoxygenase [41][42][43]. It has been reported that B. serrata gum resin has beneficial effects in patients with bronchial asthma [44]. ...
Allergies have known to be an abnormally vigorous immune response in which the immune system fights off an allergen or antigen initiating mast cells to release histamine into the blood. Substances which prevent mast cells from releasing histamine are considered as antiallergic agents. The drugs utilized for the treatment of allergy are mast cell stabilizers, steroids, anti-histamine, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and decongestants. Anti-histamine drugs have side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, constipation, difficulty urinating, blurred vision, etc. The use of medicinal plants for effective and safe management of diseases has recently received much attention. Various herbs are utilized for their antiallergic and anti-histaminic properties. Some of the herbs useful in the management of allergic diseases of the respiratory tract like Piper longum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Solanum xanthocarpum have been discussed. Ample scientific evidence is available for the anti-histaminic and antiallergic activity of Azadirachta indica, Aloe vera, Tinospora cordifolia, and a number of other such herbs which are safer to use as antiallergic agents have been reported. The review summarizes a wide variety of herbs and botanical ingredients with their common scientific names and distribution for their easy identification and usage as safe antiallergic agents, also discussing their molecular mechanisms involved in combating allergic reactions.
... The literature inquiry was extended to the mechanism of action, when known. All data were tabulated along with the following information: family, species (scientific and common name), inscription on the vase and inventory number, part of the plant historically used, historical sources, modern use obtained from the historical medicinal use, mechanism of action, and bibliographic references (for complete data, please see Table S1 [ [294][295][296][297]). ...
This work is based on the study of 150 majolica vases dated back to the mid XVII century that once preserved medicinal remedies prepared in the ancient Pharmacy annexed to the Ospedale Maggiore Ca’ Granda in Milan (Lombardy, Italy). The Hortus simplicium was created in 1641 as a source of plant-based ingredients for those remedies. The main objective of the present work is to lay the knowledge base for the restoration of the ancient Garden for educational and informative purposes. Therefore, the following complementary phases were carried out: (i) the analysis of the inscriptions on the jars, along with the survey on historical medical texts, allowing for the positive identification of the plant ingredients of the remedies and their ancient use as medicines; (ii) the bibliographic research in modern pharmacological literature in order to validate or refute the historical uses; (iii) the realization of the checklist of plants potentially present in cultivation at the ancient Garden, concurrently with the comparison with the results of a previous in situ archaeobotanical study concerning pollen grains. For the species selection, considerations were made also regarding drug amounts in the remedies and pedoclimatic conditions of the study area. Out of the 150 vases, 108 contained plant-based remedies, corresponding to 148 taxa. The remedies mainly treated gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. At least one of the medicinal uses was validated in scientific literature for 112 out of the 148 examined species. Finally, a checklist of 40 taxa, presumably hosted in the Hortus simplicium, was assembled.
... Oleo-gum-resin is tapped in the scores and made on the trunk of the tree which is then kept in a traditional type of bamboo basket. The extracts and essential oils of B. serrata oleo-gum-resin have been used as antiseptic agents and to cure cough and asthma (Gupta et al. 1998). Singh et al. (2007) reported the chemical composition of essential oil of commercial samples purchased from northern states of India (Punjab and Delhi). ...
... The key bioactive component of the plant extract is boswellic acid [40][41][42]. The plant extract and active component, boswellic acid, have proven efficacy in treating adults with asthma, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, as evident by randomized clinical trials, but their clinical effectiveness in pediatrics in these disorders is currently lacking [43][44][45]. A single study conducted by Janssen et al. (2000) evaluated the effectiveness of boswellic acid in the palliative therapy of children with brain tumors [15]. ...
The pivotal role of childhood nutrition has always roused a growing interest from the scientific community. Plant extracts and bioactive dietary components play a significant role in the maintenance of human health and wellness, with the potential to modulate risk factors and manage symptoms for a large number of common childhood disorders such as memory impairment, respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic derangements, and pathologies related to the oral cavity. This review is designed to highlight the health benefits of botanical extracts and bioactive dietary components in children as evidenced by clinical trials, considering their safety with regards to childhood sensibilities. The supplementation of children with the herbal extracts or bioactive components mentioned in this review leads to the conclusion that they are useful for treating various ailments, with no serious adverse events being reported. However, for the limited number of investigations specifically focused on the safety of such products in children, time is needed to expand the literature data covering the safety of childhood supplementation with botanical extract and bioactive food components.
... The anti-asthmatic activity of B. serrata was confirmed early, in a double-blind placebo controlled clinical study with 300 mg thrice daily dose for 6 weeks (Gupta et al. 1998). In other clinical studies by Houssen et al. (2010) and Al-Jawad et al. (2012) B. serrata extract was effective in the management of bronchial asthma owing to its natural antiinflammatory and leukotriene inhibitory actions. ...
The most severe cases of COVID-19, and the highest rates of death, are among the elderly. There is an urgent need to search for an agent to treat the disease and control its progression. Boswelliaserrata is traditionally used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. This review aims to highlight currently published research that has shown evidence of potential therapeutic effects of boswellic acids (BA) and B. serrata extract against COVID-19 and associated conditions. We reviewed the published information up to March 2021. Studies were collected through a search of online electronic databases (academic libraries such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Egyptian Knowledge Bank). Several recent studies reported that BAs and B. serrata extract are safe agents and have multiple beneficial activities in treating similar symptoms experienced by patients with COVID-19. Because of the low oral bioavailability and improvement of buccal/oral cavity hygiene, traditional use by chewing B. serrata gum may be more beneficial than oral use. It is the cheapest option for a lot of poorer people. The promising effect of B. serrata and BA can be attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, anti-platelet aggregation, antibacterial, antifungal, and broad antiviral activity. B. serrata and BA act by multiple mechanisms. The most common mechanism may be through direct interaction with IκB kinases and inhibiting nuclear factor-κB-regulated gene expression. However, the most recent mechanism proposed that BA not only inhibited the formation of classical 5-lipoxygenase products but also produced anti-inflammatory LOX-isoform-selective modulators. In conclusion a small to moderate dose B. serrata extract may be useful in the enhancing adaptive immune response in mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. However, large doses of BA may be beneficial in suppressing uncontrolled activation of the innate immune response. More clinical results are required to determine with certainty whether there is sufficient evidence of the benefits against COVID-19.
... Pharmacological applications have recently justified the use of frankincense for its anti-tumour and anti-carcinogenic (Huang et al. 2000), anti-inflammatory (Shao et al. 1998, Safayhi et al. 2000, Krieglstein et al. 2001, anti-proliferative (Glaser et al. 1999, Hoernlein et al. 1999, anti-chronic colitis (Gupta et al. 2001) and anti-bronchial asthma (Gupta et al. 1998) effects, as well as for anti-human leukaemia HL-60 cells and the DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in HL-60 cells (Shao et al. 1998). Controlled, double-blind studies have shown that Boswellia extracts are very helpful for ulcerative colitis (Singh and Atal 1986). ...
... Unfortunately only one study was carried out on the effect of Boswellia serrata extract in the treatment of asthma bronchiale, which however provided promising results [52]. Moreover Kirste et al. [22] confirmed previous observations made by Streffer at al. [53] as well as Boeker and Winking [54] regarding positive effects of concomitant administration of frankincense extract on cerebral edema associated with radiochemotherapy in patients with malignant glioma. ...
Medicinal plants represent a big reservoir for discovering new drugs against all kinds of diseases including inflammation. In spite the large number of promising anti-inflammatory plant extracts and isolated components, research on medicinal plants proves to be very difficult. Based on that background this review aims to provide a summarized insight into the hitherto known pharmacologically active concentrations, bioavailability, and clinical efficacy of boswellic acids, curcumin, quercetin and resveratrol. These examples have in common that the achieved plasma concentrations were found to be often far below the determined IC50 values in vitro. On the other hand demonstrated therapeutic effects suggest a necessity of rethinking our pharmacokinetic understanding. In this light this review discusses the value of plasma levels as pharmacokinetic surrogates in comparison to the more informative value of tissue concentrations. Furthermore the need for new methodological approaches is addressed like the application of combinatorial approaches for identifying and pharmacokinetic investigations of active multi-components. Also the physiological relevance of exemplary in vitro assays and absorption studies in cell-line based models is discussed. All these topics should be ideally considered to avoid inaccurate predictions for the efficacy of herbal components in vivo and to unlock the “black box” of herbal mixtures.
... Resins and gum resins are extracted from plant sources. Several other studies investigated the anti-inflammatory, anti-leukotriene, antiacetylcholinesterase, and anticancer activity of the resin and especially its major components, the boswellic acid derivatives(Ali et al. 2008;Wahab et al. 1987;Ammon et al. 1993;Ammon et al. 1991;Gupta et al. 1997;Gupta et al. 1998;Shao, et al. 1998). ...
Background
Oxidative stress is an important contributor to Alzheimer's disease. Olibanum has therapeutic effects on various diseases. The effect of Olibanum on memory deficit induced by scopolamine (Sco) was challenged.
Methods
Four groups were considered as (1) control (2) Sco, (3-4) Sco - Olib 100 and 200 mg/kg. Treatment by Olib or vehicle was done for two weeks. The third week was accompanied by the Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) with Sco injection. On the last day, the brain and hippocampus were used for evaluation of the malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and a total thiol group.
Results
Sco increased the traveled time and distance to reach the hidden platform during five days of learning (p<0.01 - p<0.001) whereas it decreased the traveled time and distance (p<0.05- p<0.01) in the target area during the probe test of MWM. Sco also decreased delay time in the PA test (P<0.05 - P<0.001). Sco also decreased CAT, SOD, and thiol, whereas it, increased MDA in both the cortex and hippocampus (p<0.01 - p<0.001). Olib attenuated the impaired performance of the rats induced by Sco in MWM and PA tests. Olib reversed the increasing effects of Sco on MDA in both cortex and hippocampus and also reversed the attenuating effects of Sco on CAT, SOD, and thiol.
Conclusion
Olib had an inhibitory effect on memory deficit induced by Sco probably through its anti-oxidant property.
Objective: It is known that the functional receptor of the COVID-19 virus, which affects millions
of people, is converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). The virus causes disease by binding to ACE2 receptors in
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vascular endothelium and alveolar epithelium. In this study, we aimed to investigate possible late-term
renal effects in patients with mild COVID-19 disease with ultrasonography (USG).
Materials and Methods: Our study was carried out on USG images of 183 COVID-19 patients
(103 females, 80 males) with positive PCR tests and 183 control groups (84 females, 99 males). ),
parenchymal echo structure and thickness were evaluated.
Results: Right kidney AP value of COVID-19 patients was 52.83±6.9 mm, left kidney AP value was
53.11±6.5, which was significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). When the cortex
thicknesses were compared, the right renal cortex (15.37±5.5 mm) of the COVID-19 patient group
increased significantly, while the left renal cortex (15.37±1.6 mm) decreased significantly. Echoes and
lengths of both kidney parenchyma in the patient and healthy groups were not statistically significant
(p>0.05).
Conclusion: Many studies on kidney involvement in patients with severe COVID-19 disease and
receiving intensive care treatment have been included. However, as far as we know, there is not enough
information in the literature about kidney involvement in patients with a mild course of COVID-19
and their long-term follow-up. Thus, we think that our study will be important in preventing kidney
problems in the future in patients with mild COVID-19 disease and will contribute to the literature.
Background:
Recent therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have had limited success. Considering the association of neuroinflammation with AD symptoms as demonstrated in multiple studies, assessment of the clinical efficacy of molecules that reduce systemic or brain inflammation is warranted.
Objective:
This clinical trial assessed whether boswellic acids can improve cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms while reducing inflammation in AD patients.
Methods:
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, study was conducted on 85 AD patients randomized to boswellic acids (K-Vie™ as the main ingredient in Memowell™) or placebo for 6 months. Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were compared to baseline and between groups and constituted the co-primary clinical efficacy endpoints. Secondary outcomes included neuropsychiatric assessment (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire, NPI-Q) and assessment of AD and inflammation biomarkers.
Results:
Patients on K-Vie™ showed a 3.1- and 1.6-unit improvement in MMSE and CDR-SOB scores, respectively, when compared to patients on placebo. NPI-Q analysis revealed significant improvement in the K-Vie™ but not in the placebo group. Only mild gastrointestinal side effects were reported in a few patients. Patients on K-Vie™ showed improvement in plasma AD biomarkers and reduction of key inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF.
Conclusion:
Our results support the positive cognitive effects of boswellic acids by reducing the systemic inflammation.
While β-boswellic acid is very readily available by extraction from frankincense resin, the accessibility of α-boswellic from the resin involved great effort and tedious purification procedures. Alternatively, a partial synthesis from readily available oleanolic acid was developed, the key steps of which are a reduction of the carboxyl group C-28 furnishing a methyl group, followed by palladium-assisted oxidation of the methyl group C-24, and configurational inversion at C-3.
Acc. to history, β-agonists, the cognate ligand of the 2 adrenoreceptors, have been used as bronchodilators for around 5,000 years, and they are still the first-line treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) today. The human 2-adrenergic receptor (2AR) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family and is a popular therapeutic target due to its major involvement in bronchodilation. The human β2-adrenoceptor is a 7-transmembrane receptor that is encoded by a gene on chromosome 5 and is found throughout the respiratory system. Intracellular signalling is significantly influenced by cyclic adenosine monophosphate and protein kinase after β2-adrenoceptor activation. Beta-2 adrenergic receptors are cell-surface receptors clinically taken advantage of in the management of bronchospasm as in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Agonist or antagonistic medications are used to target these receptors. While there are no selective beta-2 antagonists, agonists used to stimulate receptors are either selective to the beta-2 subtype or nonselective, stimulating all beta subtypes, including beta-2. Long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) should be used only when asthma symptoms persist in individuals who are already taking frequent inhaled corticosteroids, according to major asthma management guidelines (ICSs). b2-Adrenoceptor agonists cause fast bronchodilation and are used to treat asthma symptoms all over the world. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by debilitating symptoms and gradual airflow limitation. Long-acting bronchodilators are the backbone of therapy for individuals with moderate-to-severe COPD; if symptoms worsen, recommendations advocate mixing bronchodilators from several classes to optimise efficacy.
COVID-19 is a running story with an unexpected end. Despite the large effort to provide effective treatment and prophylaxis, many people are still getting infected. This may be explained by the continuous virus mutations, and hence, the attenuation of the vaccine’s efficacy. Therefore, long-life boosting of the body’s immunity is a hopeful way against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Medicinal plants and other complementary and alternative remedies were used effectively in treating numerous mankind’s health problems. Recently, a lot of studies have confirmed the effect of natural products, cupping therapy, and acupuncture against SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this chapter is to remind ourselves of the natural pharmacy that God gave us, by shedding the light on the importance of some herbs and traditional remedies in the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Boswellia trees, found throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, are the source of frankincense oil. Since antiquity, frankincense has been traded as a precious commodity, but it has also been used for the treatment of chronic disease, inflammation, oral health, and microbial infection.
Human group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 (GIIA) is a key enzyme in infammatory reactions,
worsening the condition of several chronic infammatory diseases. The natural inhibitors of GIIA
potentially block the production of infammatory mediators. In the present study, elemolic acid,
a triterpenoid from Boswellia serrata inhibited the GIIA enzyme in a concentration-dependent
manner with IC50 value of 5.70 ± 0.02 µM. The mode of GIIA inhibition was studied by increasing
the concentration of the substrate from 30 to 120 nM, and calcium from 2.5 to 15 mM, the level of
inhibition was not changed. The inhibitor-enzyme interaction was examined by fuorimetry and
Circular Dichroism (CD) studies; elemolic acid altered intrinsic fuorescence intensity and shifted far
UV- CD spectra of GIIA enzyme, suggesting the direct interaction with GIIA. Elemolic acid neutralized
the GIIA mediated indirect hemolytic activity from 94.5 to 9.8% and reduced GIIA induced mouse paw
edema from 171.75 to 113.68%. Elemolic acid also reduced the hemorrhagic efect of GIIA along with
Vipera russelii neurotoxic non-enzymatic peptide -VNTx-II (VR-HC-I). Thus, the elemolic acid has been
proven as a potent inhibitor of GIIA enzyme and modulated the GIIA induced infammatory response
by in situ and in vivo methods.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common disabling chronic progressive autoimmune diseases affecting the adult world population. Boswellia serrata has been a known anti-inflammatory agent since ancient times. Therefore, research on Boswellia extract based on Acetyl Keto Boswellic Acid (AKBA) content evaluating its efficacy and safety is necessary.
The study aimed to find a suitable Boswellia extract rich in AKBA to evaluate its bioavailability, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic effect. In addition, the synergistic action of AKBA extract with methotrexate (MTX) was also assessed on an animal model.
Materials and methods
Oral bioavailability of AKBA and the anti-inflammatory activity of 10% AKBA (5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg b.w) was assessed and compared with 2% AKBA (40 mg/kg) and diclofenac (10 mg/kg). The effect of 10% AKBA at 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg was evaluated in the FCA induced arthritis animal model alone and combined with methotrexate (MTX) at 2 mg/kg b.w. Subplantar injection of FCA produced edema within a few hours with progressive arthritis by the 9th day after injection. All the treatments were initiated from the 10th day until the 45th day. Oral administration of 10% AKBA was done daily and MTX by intraperitoneal route once a week from day 10 to day 45. Paw volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, oxidative markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA), total proteins and liver histopathology were examined.
Results
10% AKBA provided 8.48-fold, 24.22-fold, 47.36-fold, and 110.53-fold higher AUC (0-α) of AKBA at 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively compared to 2% AKBA at 40 mg/kg. Percentage paw edema inhibition of 10% AKBA at 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg were significantly higher than 2% regular AKBA (40 mg/kg) and diclofenac (10 mg/kg). 10% AKBA at a dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg significantly reduced ESR compared with FCA treated group. A combination of methotrexate with 10% AKBA showed the highest reduction in ESR. 10% AKBA at both dose levels significantly reduced hepatic marker enzymes and total bilirubin levels. Treatment with 10% AKBA showed a significant increase in total proteins, antioxidant enzymes and a decrease in malondialdehyde levels. Similarly, 10% AKBA protected the hepatocytes compared with the FCA and FCA + MTX treated group. 10% AKBA was capable of significantly minimizing FCA and FCA + MTX induced changes.
Conclusion
Anti-inflammatory activity of AKBA due to inhibition of lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes supports the use of AKBA in inflammatory disorders. Combination therapy of 10% AKBA with MTX is effective in inhibiting arthritis and circumventing hepatotoxicity produced by MTX in arthritic animals.
Lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and pneumonia are causing many global health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic has directed the scientific community’s attention toward performing more research to explore novel therapeutic drugs for pulmonary diseases. Herein, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry tentatively identified 44 compounds in frankincense ethanol extract (FEE). We investigated the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of FEE against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, isolated from patients with respiratory infections. In addition, its in vitro immunomodulatory activity was explored by the detection of the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In addition, its anticancer activity against the A549 lung cancer cell line and human skin fibroblast (HSF) normal cell line was studied. Moreover, the in vivo lung protective potential of FEE was explored histologically and immunohistochemically in mice using a benzo(a)pyrene induced lung damage model. FEE exhibited antibacterial and antibiofilm activities besides the significant inhibition of gene expression of TNFα, IL-6, and NF-κB. FEE also exerted a cytotoxic effect against A549 cell line. Histological and immunohistochemical investigations with morphometric analysis of the mean area percentage and color intensity of positive TNF-α, COX-2, and NF-κB and Bcl-2 reactions revealed the lung protective activity of FEE. This study outlined the promising therapeutic activity of oleoresin obtained from B. dalzielii in the treatment of different pulmonary diseases.
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata/sacra/carterii) resin has been used in the Middle East for more than 6000 years, mostly in religious rites. The main mode of action of frankincense is through blocking various inflammatory pathways. It may be beneficial for gingivitis, asthma, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, collagenous colitis, Crohn’s disease, urinary tract infection, stress urinary incontinence, breast density, mastalgia, menorrhagia, osteoarthritis, memory impairment, psoriasis, eczema, photoaging, rheumatoid arthritis, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and radiation-induced brain edema. This chapter examines some of the scientific research conducted on frankincense, both alone and in combination formulas, for treating numerous health conditions. It summarizes results from several human studies of frankincense’s use in treating oral and dental, pulmonary, cardiometabolic, bowel, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal disorders, among others. Finally, the chapter presents a list of frankincense’s Active Constituents, different Commonly Used Preparations and Dosage, and a Section on “Safety and Precaution” that examines side effects, toxicity, and disease and drug interactions.
Inflammatory responses are the consequences of infection, injury, and tissue dysfunctions. In general, these responses associate with the inception of several diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, allergy, asthma, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. To enhance such responses a number of synthetic drugs are widely used, including steroidal/non-steroidal components, antibodies, and cytokine inhibitors. However, prolonged use of these components may generate some side effects, including the malfunction of digestive tract, liver intoxication, kidney damage, and cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, alternative application of natural compounds, such as herbal components, against inflammatory responses might be safer and more effective. Frankincense is a gum resin with potential therapeutic effects on various diseases with signs of inflammation. Therefore, frankincense can decrease the indications of numerous illnesses with the least side effects. The identification of critical active constituents in frankincense may be useful for the development of new components with desired biological effects. In this review, the potential therapeutic effects of frankincense will be described based on its anti-inflammatory effects.
Biological activity of Boswellia extract (BE) has been attributed to its main active ingredients; i.e. Boswellic acids (BAs). BE/BAs possess a promising therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders; including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The multifactorial nature of AD pathophysiology necessitates the development of the disease-modifying agents (DMA). Recent multi-targeting approaches for the DMAs development have brought more attention to the plant-derived compounds regarding their better human compatibility because of their biologic origin. This review addresses the current knowledge on the anti-AD activity of BE/BAs based on the available in silico, in vitro, in vivo studies and clinical trials. The contribution of BE/BAs in inflammatory pathways, Tau and β-amyloid proteins, microtubule functions, oxidative stress, cholinesterase and diabetes/insulin pathways involved in AD have been discussed. BAs efficacy in different AD-related pathways has been confirmed in vitro and in vivo. They can be considered as valuable scaffold/lead compounds for multi-targeted DMAs in anti-AD drug discovery and development.
Aerva lanata L. is a medicinal plant related to the Amaranthaceae family. It is mainly seen growing along roadside and most commonly identified by its small flowers with woollen texture. This plant is usually used to manage asthma (Kumar et al. 2009).
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