How It Works
Bottom Line: Although boswellia has anti-inflammatory effects in lab experiments, lab results are often not transferable to humans. There is no proof that it can treat inflammatory conditions such as asthma or arthritis, and more research needs to be done before it is used for colitis. Boswellia, a tree gum resin often used in
Ayurvedic medicine, has been analyzed in the laboratory and found to contain boswellic acid, which scientists think accounts for this herb's biological activities. In lab animals, boswellic acid inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme that is important in the process of inflammation, and it therefore reduces swelling induced by chemicals and from arthritis. It has also been able to slow the replication of isolated cancer cells in the laboratory. However, unlike other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and celecoxib (i.e., Celebrex®), boswellic acid does not appear to reduce pain or fevers, nor does it cause stomach ulcers in lab animals. This indicates that boswellic acid acts in a pathway different from that of existing NSAIDs. Boswellia's anti-inflammatory effects were supported in one clinical trial of patients with colitis.
Purported Uses
To treat arthritis
Studies in laboratory animals suggest that boswellia can reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. A randomized controlled trial shows boswellia serrata extract is better than a placebo in treatment of osteoarthritis.
To treat asthma
Studies in laboratory animals suggest that boswellia can reduce inflammation, but there is no proof from clinical trials that it can reduce inflammation of asthma attacks in humans.
To treat colitis
Studies in laboratory animals suggest that boswellia can reduce inflammation, and one clinical trial in supports this use in humans, but further research is needed.
To reduce inflammation
Studies in laboratory animals suggest that boswellia can reduce inflammation, but there is no proof from clinical trials that this herb can reduce inflammation in humans.
To relieve menstrual cramps
No scientific evidence supports this use.
Research Evidence
Colitis:
In a clinical trial involving patients with chronic colitis, thirty men or women were given: 1) 300 mg of boswellia gum resin three times daily for six weeks or 2) one gram of sulfasalazine (a drug used for inflammatory bowel conditions) three times daily for six weeks. After treatment, 90% of the patients treated with boswellia showed an improvement as compared to 60% of the patients treated with sulfasalazine. This indicates that boswellia gum resin may be an effective treatment for chronic colitis, but larger clinical trials should be conducted to make sure long-term use of boswellia is safe and effective.
Warnings
- This product is regulated by the F.D.A. as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Side Effects
None known
Scientific Name
Boswellia Serrata
Common Name
Indian Frankincense
Clinical Summary
Derived from the resin of the plant. Boswellia or Indian frankincense is an ayurvedic herb that is used traditionally to treat arthritis, ulcerative colitis, coughs, sores, snakebite, and asthma. The major components are boswellic acid and alpha-boswellic acid. Animal studies show that boswellic acid is a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor that has antiinflammatory and antiarthritic effects. Other studies suggest it also has cytotoxic activities. Boswellic acid seems to be free of the adverse effects commonly found in steroids and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. However, its long-term effects on humans are unknown. Although similar in many functions, boswellia should not be confused with frankincense, guggul or myrrh.
Purported uses
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Colitis
- Inflammation
- Menstrual cramps
Constituents
Boswellic acid, alpha-boswellic acid.
Mechanism of Action
Boswellic acid, the major constituent of boswellia, is thought to contribute to most of the herb's pharmacological activities. In vitro studies and animal models show that boswellic acid inhibits 5-lipoxygenase selectively
(1) (4) and has antiinflammatory
(2), antiarthritic and antiproliferative effects
(5). Boswellia reduces chemically induced edema and inflammation in rodents. Unlike other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, however, boswellic acid fails to show analgesic or antipyretic effects
(2). In addition, it does not cause gastric ulcers in animals. This suggests that the action of boswellic acid is through other mechanisms than the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. A clinical study shows that gum resin of boswellia is as effective as sulfasalazine in treating chronic colitis
(3) (11). Another trial indicates boswellia serrata extract is effective in treating osteoarthritis of knee
(10). Research on the cytotoxic effects of boswellic acid indicates that it induces p21 expression through a p53-independent pathway and causes apoptosis in glioma
(7) (8) and leukemia cell lines
(9). One study suggests that acetyl-boswellic acids can inhibit topoisomerases by competing with DNA for binding sites
(6).
Pharmacokinetics
Two to three hours after an oral dose of 1.2 gm dry extract boswellia gum resin, plasma concentrations were measured at 10 to 32 micromolar of 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and 18 to 20 micromolar of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid.
(11)
Literature Summary and Critique
Gupta I, et al. Effects of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in patients with chronic colitis. Planta Med 2001;67:391-5.Thirty patients with chronic colitis were included in this study. Twenty patients received 300 mg of gum resin of boswellia three times daily for 6 weeks. Ten patients received one gram of sulfasalazine three times daily for 6 weeks. 90% of the patients treated with boswellia showed an improvement as compared to 60% of the patients treated with sulfasalazine. The author concluded that the gum resin of boswellia could be used to treat chronic colitis with minimal side effects, but larger studies are needed to establish its efficacy and long-term safety.
References
- Dhamen U, et al. Boswellic acid, a potent antiinflammatory drug, inhibits rejection to the same extent as high dose steroids. Transplant Proc 2001;33:539-41.
- Singh GB, et al. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Agents Actions 1986;18:407-12.
- Gupta I, et al. Effects of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in patients with chronic colitis. Planta Med 2001;67:391-5.
- Safayhi H, et al. Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992;261:1143-6.
- Safayhi H, et al. Concentration-dependent potentiating and inhibitory effects of Boswellia extracts on 5-lipoxygenase product formation in stimulated PMNL. Planta Med 2000;66:110-3.
- Syrovets T, et al. Acetyl-boswellic acids are novel catalytic inhibitors of human topoisomerases I and II alpha. Mol Pharmacol 2000;58:71-81.
- Winking M, et al. Boswellic acids inhibit glioma growth: a new treatment option? J Neurooncol 2000;46:97-103.
- Glaser T, et al. Boswellic acids and malignant glioma: induction of apoptosis but no modulation of drug sensitivity. Br J Cancer 1999;80:756-65.
- Jing Y, et al. Boswellic acid acetate induces differentiation and apoptosis in leukemia cell lines. Leuk Res 1999;23:43-50.
- Kimmatkar N, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7.
- Gupta I, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997 Jan;2(1):37-43.
