Research
Boswellic Acid (Boswellia)
24 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of Frankincense: Implications for Anticancer Therapy.
Systematic review of frankincense, including its species, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities. Frankincense exhibits antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidation, memory enhancement, and immunological regulation properties.
Molecular Targets Underlying the Neuroprotective Effects of Boswellic Acid: A Systematic Review.
Systematic review of 17 studies examining the neuroprotective effects of boswellic acid on neurodegenerative diseases. Boswellic acid shows anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and neuromodulatory effects, decreasing Tau phosphorylation and amyloid-β generation in Alzheimer's Disease, protecting dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's Disease, and improving functions in ALS.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities.
Systematic review of the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense and its chemical ingredients. Frankincense shows potential in inhibiting leukotriene synthesis, cyclooxygenase, and oxidative stress, and modulating immune cells. Clinical trials indicate efficacy against osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, and brain tumor-related edema, though not reducing glioma size. Mild adverse side effects reported.
Investigating the Additive Effects of LoxaconFood Supplement Capsules in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled, Crossover, Follow-Up, Three-Arm Study.
This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover study involved 88 patients with knee osteoarthritis. It compared the effects of Loxacon food supplement capsules, containing boswellic acid and harpagosides, with physical therapy and placebo. The study found that the combination of Loxacon and physical therapy significantly improved functionality and quality of life in patients, with the Loxacon group showing greater clinical improvement.
The effects of massage with frankincense and myrrh oil in chronic low back pain: A three-arm randomised controlled trial.
RCT investigating the effects of aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myrrh essential oils on chronic low back pain. The aromatherapy group showed statistically significant improvements in pain and disability scores compared to the control and placebo groups.
The effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil before the cardiac electrophysiological procedure on back pain intensity and comfort: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.
RCT investigating the effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil on back pain severity and comfort in patients undergoing cardiac electrophysiological study. The study found no significant difference in post-procedure pain but reported increased overall, physical, and psychospiritual comfort.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of topical oily solution containing frankincense extract in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
RCT evaluating the effectiveness of a topical oily solution containing frankincense extract in treating knee osteoarthritis. The study found significant improvements in pain severity and function in the frankincense group compared to placebo.
Efficacy of frankincense-based herbal product in urinary incontinence: A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled clinical trial.
This randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of a frankincense-based herbal product (FHP) in 120 postmenopausal women with mixed urinary incontinence. The FHP group showed significant reductions in urinary incontinence frequency and leakage compared to placebo, with effects persisting two weeks after treatment completion.
Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect of Frankincense Essential Oil in Patients With Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy.
RCT evaluating the effect of frankincense essential oil applied to the feet on chemotherapy-related fatigue in 70 cancer patients. No statistically significant changes in fatigue were found over time or between groups.
Effectiveness of complementary therapies for the management of symptom clusters in palliative care in pediatric oncology: a systematic review.
Systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of complementary therapies in managing symptom clusters in pediatric oncology palliative care. Five quasi-experiments were included, with two studies using therapeutic massage, one using Reiki, one using boswellic acid, and one using Cannabis sativa. Therapeutic massage and Reiki showed statistically significant results for managing the pain-anxiety-worry-dyspnea cluster.
Frankincense: systematic review.
Systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of Boswellia serrata extracts for various medical conditions including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, osteoarthritis, and collagenous colitis. Results indicated clinical effectiveness with no serious safety issues, though evidence is not compelling.
The anti-proliferative effects of a frankincense extract in a window of opportunity phase ia clinical trial for patients with breast cancer.
Phase Ia window of opportunity trial of Boswellia serrata in patients with breast cancer. The study found that B. serrata reduced tumor proliferation compared to a control group, with no serious adverse events reported.
Pharmacokinetics of a Natural Self-emulsifying Reversible Hybrid-Hydrogel (N'SERH) Formulation of Full-Spectrum Boswellia serrata Oleo-Gum Resin Extract: Randomised Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.
This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of full-spectrum Boswellia serrata extract (BFQ-20) compared to an unformulated extract (U-BE) in 16 healthy volunteers. The BFQ-20 formulation significantly enhanced the bioavailability of boswellic acids and improved anti-inflammatory efficacy, as evidenced by a 70.5% inhibition of paw edema in rats.
Lipid Mediator Profiles Predict Response to Therapy with an Oral Frankincense Extract in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
Clinical phase IIa trial of 28 RR-MS patients taking a standardised frankincense extract (SFE) daily for eight months. The study found that SFE significantly reduces 5-LO-derived lipid mediators in RR-MS patients, with treatment response related to baseline levels of 12-, 15-LO, and cyclooxygenase products.
The effect of frankincense (Boswellia serrata, oleoresin) and ginger (Zingiber officinale, rhizoma) on heavy menstrual bleeding: A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.
RCT evaluating the effect of frankincense and ginger on heavy menstrual bleeding in 102 women. Both substances reduced the duration of menstrual bleeding and improved quality of life compared to placebo.
A pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel Boswellia serrata extract in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of Boswellin, a Boswellia serrata extract, in 48 patients with knee osteoarthritis over 120 days. BSE significantly improved physical function by reducing pain and stiffness, improved knee joint gap, reduced osteophytes, and lowered serum levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein. No serious adverse events were reported.
Effect of 4 weeks of frankincense consumption on explicit motor memory and serum BDNF in elderly men.
RCT investigating the effect of 4 weeks of frankincense consumption on explicit motor memory and serum BDNF in elderly men. Frankincense significantly improved acquisition and retention of motor memory, but no difference was observed in serum BDNF levels between groups.
A standardised frankincense extract reduces disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (the SABA phase IIa trial).
Phase IIa open-label trial investigating oral administration of standardised frankincense extract (SFE) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. SFE significantly reduced the median number of monthly contrast-enhancing lesions and showed less brain atrophy. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated.
A single-dose, randomized, cross-over, two-way, open-label study for comparing the absorption of boswellic acids and its lecithin formulation.
This study compared the absorption of boswellic acids from a standardized Boswellia serrata extract and its lecithin formulation in 12 healthy volunteers using a randomized cross-over design. The lecithin formulation showed significantly higher and quicker absorption of boswellic acids, except for KBA, suggesting improved bioavailability.
Effects of topical boswellic acid on photo and age-damaged skin: clinical, biophysical, and echographic evaluations in a double-blind, randomized, split-face study.
Double-blind, randomized, split-face study assessing the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a cream containing 0.5% boswellic acids on photoaged facial skin in 15 female volunteers. Significant improvements in tactile roughness, fine lines, elasticity, and dermal tissue reshaping were observed on the treated side, with no adverse effects.
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
The study investigates the anti-tumor activity of frankincense essential oil prepared from Boswellia sacra gum resins. It evaluates the effects on human pancreatic cancer cells in culture and in a xenograft mouse model, finding that certain fractions of the oil suppress cell viability and induce apoptosis, potentially due to high molecular weight compounds.
Antistaphylococcal and biofilm inhibitory activities of acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid from Boswellia serrata
The study investigates the antimicrobial activities of acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) against 112 pathogenic bacterial isolates. AKBA showed potent antibacterial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacteria, and inhibited biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The mechanism likely involves disruption of microbial membrane structure.
Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease.
An open multi-centre veterinary clinical trial in Switzerland evaluated the effects of a Boswellia serrata resin extract on 29 dogs with chronic joint and spinal disease. After 6 weeks, 71% of 24 eligible dogs showed significant improvement in symptoms such as lameness and pain. Some dogs experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects.
An Update on Pharmacological Potential of Boswellic Acids against Chronic Diseases
This narrative review discusses the pharmacological potential of boswellic acid, a natural compound isolated from Boswellia species, against various chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, asthma, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. It explores the molecular mechanisms of action and addresses challenges related to its pharmacokinetics and bioavailability.