Boswellia
Boswellia [Salai guggal, Boswellia serrata] has been used in Indian or Ayurvedic medicine for
thousand years. Its gummy exudate, containing boswellic acids, has been believed to benefit
various conditions including diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary disease, ringworm, osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis. [1] Some studies do show benefits of boswellic acids on inflammation
including arthritis and colitis. [2-6].
A typical extract contains 37.5-65% ob boswellic acids.
Biswellia may benefit inflammatory conditions.
Researchers demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanolic extracts of the gum resin
exudate of Boswellia serrata in rat peritoneal neutrophils. [8] And also, other researchers found
mixed acetylboswellic acids, pentacyclic triterpenes extracted from the gum resin of Boswellia
serrata significantly inhibited the ionophore-stimulated release of the leukotrienes B4 and C4
from intact human polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes. [14]
In other experiments, researchers isolated isomers of boswellic acids (BAs), 11-keto-beta-
boswellic acid and acetyl derivatives from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. They found that
boswellic acids and derivatives decreased the formation of leukotriene B4 in rat peritoneal
neutrophils. [9] This experiment together with other experiments showed that boswellic acids
are specific, non-reducing-type inhibitors of the leukotriene synthesis either interacting directly
with the 5-lipoxygenase or blocking its translocation. [9,11]
A study of sheep erythrocytes showed the anti-complementary activity of boswellic acid. It
inhibits the in vitro immunohaemolysis of antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes by pooled
guinea-pig serum via inhibition of C3-convertase of the classical complement pathway.
Boswellic acid also exhibited weak inhibitory effects on individual components of the
complement system. [10]
Arthritis
Indian researchers evaluated a formula containing Boswellia serrata, Withania somnifera,
Curcuma longa and zinc complex in a study of patients with osteoarthritis. They found that
treatment with this formula produced a significant drop in severity of pain and disability score.
However, they also observed side effects during the treatments. [7]
Asthma
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, number of attacks as well as decrease in eosinophilic
count and ESR. [15]
Ulcerative Colitis
In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis grade II and III the effect of Boswellia serrata gum
resin preparation (350 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks) on stool properties, histolopathology and
scan microscopy of rectal biopsies, blood parameters including Hb, serum iron, calcium,
phosphorus, proteins, total leukocytes and eosinophils was studied. Patients receiving
sulfasalazine (1 g thrice daily) served as controls. All parameters tested improved after
treatment with Boswellia serrata gum resin, the results being similar compared to controls:
82% out of treated patients went into remission; in case of sulfasalazine remission rate was
75%. [12]
Liver Protection
With very limited studies, Indian researchers proposed that hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of
Boswellia serrata might benefit liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or
thioacetamide. [17]
Boswellia may have benefits of cutting cancer risks
Researchers found four major triterpene acids from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata
inhibited the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in human leukemia HL-60 cells in a dose
dependent manner. Among them, 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid significantly inhibited
the cellular growth of HL-60 cells. [13]
On the other hand, boswellic acid acetate, a compound isolated from the herb Boswellia
carterii Birdw, can also induce differentiation and apoptosis of leukemia cells. In one study,
boswellic acid acetate failed to induce erythroid leukemia DS-19 and K562 cells
differentiation. However, only 20 microg/ml of boswellic acid acetate decreased viable cell
number of myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells by 60% within 24 h. Morphologic and DNA
fragmentation analysis proved that boswellic acid acetate induced cell apoptosis. [16]
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects of Boswellia are mild.
Reference 1. Safayhi H, Sailer ER, Amnon HPT. 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by acetyl-11-keto-b-
boswellic acid. Phytomed 1996;3:71–2. 2. Safayhi H, Mack T, Saieraj J, et al. Boswellic
acids: Novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992;261:
1143–6. 3. Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia
serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Agents Actions 1986;18:407–12. 4.
Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with
ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997;2:37–43. 5. Etzel R. Special extract of Boswellia
serrata (H15) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomed 1996;3:91–4. [6] Reddy GK,
et al, Studies on the metabolism of glycosaminoglycans under the influence of new herbal anti-
inflammatory agents. Biochem Pharmacol. 1989 Oct 15;38(20):3527-34. [7] Kulkarni RR, et al,
Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled,
cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 May-Jun;33(1-2):91-5. [8] Ammon HP, et al,
Inhibition of leukotriene B4 formation in rat peritoneal neutrophils by an ethanolic extract of the
gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata. Planta Med. 1991 Jun;57(3):203-7. [9] Safayhi H, et al,
Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther.
1992 Jun;261(3):1143-6. [10] Kapil A, Moza N. Anticomplementary activity of boswellic acids--
an inhibitor of C3-convertase of the classical complement pathway. Int J Immunopharmacol.
1992 Oct;14(7):1139-43. [11] Ammon HP, et al, Mechanism of antiinflammatory actions of
curcumine and boswellic acids. J Ethnopharmacol. 1993 Mar;38(2-3):113-9. [12] 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. [13] Shao Y, et al, Inhibitory activity of boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata
against human leukemia HL-60 cells in culture. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):328-31. [14]
Wildfeuer A, et al, Effects of boswellic acids extracted from a herbal medicine on the
biosynthesis of leukotrienes and the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Arzneimittelforschung. 1998 Jun;48(6):668-74. [15] Gupta I, et al, Effects of Boswellia serrata
gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-
week clinical study. Eur J Med Res. 1998 Nov 17;3(11):511-4. [16] Jing Y, et al, Boswellic acid
acetate induces differentiation and apoptosis in leukemia cell lines. Leuk Res. 1999 Jan;23(1):
43-50. [17] Y J, et al Effect of hexane extract of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin on chemically
induced liver damage. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2006 Apr;19(2):129-33.
Boswellia [Salai guggal, Boswellia serrata] has been used in Indian or Ayurvedic medicine for
thousand years. Its gummy exudate, containing boswellic acids, has been believed to benefit
various conditions including diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary disease, ringworm, osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis. [1] Some studies do show benefits of boswellic acids on inflammation
including arthritis and colitis. [2-6].
A typical extract contains 37.5-65% ob boswellic acids.
Biswellia may benefit inflammatory conditions.
Researchers demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanolic extracts of the gum resin
exudate of Boswellia serrata in rat peritoneal neutrophils. [8] And also, other researchers found
mixed acetylboswellic acids, pentacyclic triterpenes extracted from the gum resin of Boswellia
serrata significantly inhibited the ionophore-stimulated release of the leukotrienes B4 and C4
from intact human polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes. [14]
In other experiments, researchers isolated isomers of boswellic acids (BAs), 11-keto-beta-
boswellic acid and acetyl derivatives from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. They found that
boswellic acids and derivatives decreased the formation of leukotriene B4 in rat peritoneal
neutrophils. [9] This experiment together with other experiments showed that boswellic acids
are specific, non-reducing-type inhibitors of the leukotriene synthesis either interacting directly
with the 5-lipoxygenase or blocking its translocation. [9,11]
A study of sheep erythrocytes showed the anti-complementary activity of boswellic acid. It
inhibits the in vitro immunohaemolysis of antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes by pooled
guinea-pig serum via inhibition of C3-convertase of the classical complement pathway.
Boswellic acid also exhibited weak inhibitory effects on individual components of the
complement system. [10]
Arthritis
Indian researchers evaluated a formula containing Boswellia serrata, Withania somnifera,
Curcuma longa and zinc complex in a study of patients with osteoarthritis. They found that
treatment with this formula produced a significant drop in severity of pain and disability score.
However, they also observed side effects during the treatments. [7]
Asthma
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, number of attacks as well as decrease in eosinophilic
count and ESR. [15]
Ulcerative Colitis
In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis grade II and III the effect of Boswellia serrata gum
resin preparation (350 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks) on stool properties, histolopathology and
scan microscopy of rectal biopsies, blood parameters including Hb, serum iron, calcium,
phosphorus, proteins, total leukocytes and eosinophils was studied. Patients receiving
sulfasalazine (1 g thrice daily) served as controls. All parameters tested improved after
treatment with Boswellia serrata gum resin, the results being similar compared to controls:
82% out of treated patients went into remission; in case of sulfasalazine remission rate was
75%. [12]
Liver Protection
With very limited studies, Indian researchers proposed that hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of
Boswellia serrata might benefit liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or
thioacetamide. [17]
Boswellia may have benefits of cutting cancer risks
Researchers found four major triterpene acids from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata
inhibited the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in human leukemia HL-60 cells in a dose
dependent manner. Among them, 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid significantly inhibited
the cellular growth of HL-60 cells. [13]
On the other hand, boswellic acid acetate, a compound isolated from the herb Boswellia
carterii Birdw, can also induce differentiation and apoptosis of leukemia cells. In one study,
boswellic acid acetate failed to induce erythroid leukemia DS-19 and K562 cells
differentiation. However, only 20 microg/ml of boswellic acid acetate decreased viable cell
number of myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells by 60% within 24 h. Morphologic and DNA
fragmentation analysis proved that boswellic acid acetate induced cell apoptosis. [16]
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects of Boswellia are mild.
Reference 1. Safayhi H, Sailer ER, Amnon HPT. 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by acetyl-11-keto-b-
boswellic acid. Phytomed 1996;3:71–2. 2. Safayhi H, Mack T, Saieraj J, et al. Boswellic
acids: Novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992;261:
1143–6. 3. Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia
serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Agents Actions 1986;18:407–12. 4.
Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with
ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997;2:37–43. 5. Etzel R. Special extract of Boswellia
serrata (H15) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomed 1996;3:91–4. [6] Reddy GK,
et al, Studies on the metabolism of glycosaminoglycans under the influence of new herbal anti-
inflammatory agents. Biochem Pharmacol. 1989 Oct 15;38(20):3527-34. [7] Kulkarni RR, et al,
Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled,
cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 May-Jun;33(1-2):91-5. [8] Ammon HP, et al,
Inhibition of leukotriene B4 formation in rat peritoneal neutrophils by an ethanolic extract of the
gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata. Planta Med. 1991 Jun;57(3):203-7. [9] Safayhi H, et al,
Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther.
1992 Jun;261(3):1143-6. [10] Kapil A, Moza N. Anticomplementary activity of boswellic acids--
an inhibitor of C3-convertase of the classical complement pathway. Int J Immunopharmacol.
1992 Oct;14(7):1139-43. [11] Ammon HP, et al, Mechanism of antiinflammatory actions of
curcumine and boswellic acids. J Ethnopharmacol. 1993 Mar;38(2-3):113-9. [12] 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. [13] Shao Y, et al, Inhibitory activity of boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata
against human leukemia HL-60 cells in culture. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):328-31. [14]
Wildfeuer A, et al, Effects of boswellic acids extracted from a herbal medicine on the
biosynthesis of leukotrienes and the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Arzneimittelforschung. 1998 Jun;48(6):668-74. [15] Gupta I, et al, Effects of Boswellia serrata
gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-
week clinical study. Eur J Med Res. 1998 Nov 17;3(11):511-4. [16] Jing Y, et al, Boswellic acid
acetate induces differentiation and apoptosis in leukemia cell lines. Leuk Res. 1999 Jan;23(1):
43-50. [17] Y J, et al Effect of hexane extract of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin on chemically
induced liver damage. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2006 Apr;19(2):129-33.
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Health Benefits and Side Effects of Boswella