Boswellia serrata

Boswellia serrata
in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Boswellia
Species: B. serrata
Binomial name
Boswellia serrata
Triana & Planch.

Boswellia serrata is a plant that produces Indian frankincense, Salai, referred to in Sanskrit as shallaki and in Latin as Olibanum Indicum.[1] the plant is native to much of India and the Punjab region that extends into Pakistan.[2]

Medical usage

In Ayurvedic medicine Indian frankincense has been used for hundreds of years for the attempted treatment of arthritis.[3]

in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Extracts of Boswellia serrata have been clinically studied for osteoarthritis and joint function, particularly for osteoarthritis of the knee, with the research showing a slight improvement of both pain and function compared to a placebo.[4] Positive effects of Boswellia in some chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been reported.[5] A Boswellia extract marketed under the name Wokvel has undergone human efficacy, comparative, pharmacokinetic studies.[6][7][8] Some see Boswellia serrata as a promising alternative to NSAIDs, warranting further investigation in pharmacological studies and clinical trials.[9]

Topical application

Boswellia serrata has been recently developed for topical use in a patent-pending formula in Sano Relief Gel. Boswellia serrata is used in the manufacture of the supposed anti-wrinkle agent "Boswelox",[10] which has been criticised as being ineffective.[11]

Active constituents

Boswellic acid and other pentacyclic triterpene acids are present. Beta-boswellic acid is the major constituent.

Mechanism of action

Animal studies performed in India show ingestion of a defatted alcoholic extract of Boswellia decreased polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration and migration, decreased primary antibody synthesis and almost totally inhibited the classical complement pathway.[12][13]

Properties

Shallaki has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce the pain and inflammation of joints. [14]

External links

References

  1. ↑ European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (2009). E/S/C/O/P Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Second Edition, Supplement 2009. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. p. 184. ISBN 9781901964080.
  2. ↑ "USDA GRIN Taxonomy". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "JOINT RELIEF". www.herbcompanion.com. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
  4. ↑ Cameron, M; Chrubasik, S (May 22, 2014). "Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis". Cochrane Summaries. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  5. ↑ Ammon HP."Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids. [Review]" Phytomedicine. 17(11):862-7, 2010 Sep.
  6. ↑ Open, randomized, controlled clinical trial of Boswellia serrata extract as compared to valdecoxib in osteoarthritis of knee. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 2007; 39(1) 27-29
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Pharmacokinetic study of 11-Keto beta-Boswellic acid. Phytomedicine. 2004 Feb;11(2-3):255-60.
  9. ↑ Abdel-Tawab M, Werz O, Schubert-Zsilavecz M.,"Boswellia serrata: an overall assessment of in vitro, preclinical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data." Clin Pharmacokinet. 2011 Jun 1;50(6):349-69
  10. ↑ Wrinkle breakthrough claim from L'Oreal
  11. ↑ L'Oreal slammed over cream claims
  12. ↑ Sharma ML, Khajuria A, 1. Kaul A, et al. Effects of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata on cellular and humoral immune responses and leukocyte migration. Agents Actions 1988;24:161-164.
  13. ↑ Sharma ML, Bani S, Singh GB. Anti-arthriticactivity of boswellic acids in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-induced arthritis. Int J Immunopharmacol 1989;11:647-652.
  14. ↑ (Planta Med. 1971 Apr; 19(4): 333-41 for analgesic and psychopharmacological effects of gum resin of Boswalia Serrata by Memon MK)
  15. ↑ Abdel-Tawab M, Werz O, Schubert-Zsilavecz M."Boswellia serrata: an overall assessment of in vitro, preclinical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data." Clin Pharmacokinet. 2011 Jun 1;50(6):349-69