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Latin Name : Boswellia (Boswellia Serrata)

English name : Boswellia

Ayurvedic name : Salai Guggal

Description : It is moderate to large branching trees found in India, strips of bark peeled away yielding gummy oleoresin, contains Oil, Terpenoids and Gum. Boswellic acid is isolated from Gumresin of Boswellia Serrata and identifies as active principle.

Parts used and where grown

Boswellia is a moderate to large branching tree found in the dry hilly areas of India. When the tree trunk is tapped, a gummy oleoresin is exuded. A purified extract of this resin is used in modern herbal preparations.

In what conditions might Boswellia be supportive?

a. Bursitis

b. Osteoarthritis

c. Rheumatoid arthritis

d. Ulcerative colitis

Historical or traditional use : In the ancient Ayurvedic medical texts of India, the gummy exudate from Boswellia is grouped with other gum resins and referred to collectively as guggals. Historically, the guggals were recommended for a variety of conditions including Arthritis, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Pulmonary disease, and Ringworm.

Boswellia in the Products

Boswellia in Joint Health

Active constituents

The gum oleoresin consists of essential oils, gum, and terpenoids. The terpenoid portion contains the Boswellia acids that have been shown to be the active constituents in Boswellia. Today, extracts are typically standardized to contain 37.5-65% Boswellia acids.

Studies have shown that the Boswellia acids have an anti-inflammatory action-much like the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used by many for inflammatory conditions. Boswellia inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators in the body, such as leukotrienes.2 As opposed to NSAIDs, long-term use of Boswellia does not lead to irritation or ulceration of the stomach.

How much should I take?

The standardized extract of the gum Oleoresin of Boswellia is recommended. For rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, many people take 150 mg three times per day. As an example, if an extract contains 37.5% Boswellic acids, 400 mg of the extract should be taken three times per day. Treatment with Boswellia generally lasts eight to 12 weeks.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Boswellia is generally safe when used as directed. Rare side effects can include diarrhea, skin rash, and nausea. Any inflammatory joint condition should be closely monitored by a nutritionally oriented physician.

Mechanism of action : Boswellic acid inhibits the Leukotriene sysnthesis via 5-lipoxygenase but don't effect 12 Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenase activities. Additionally boswellic acid did not impair the Peroxidation of Arachidonic acid by iron and Escorbate. Data suggests boswellic acids are specific non redox inhibitor of Leukopriene Sysnthesis either interacting directly or blocking its translocation.

Boswellia observed to inhibit Human Leuckocyte Elastase (HLE) which may be involved in pathogenesis of emphysema. HLE also stimulates mucus secretions. Thus play role in chronic bronchitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome. It is known that N.S.A.I.D. can cause disruption of Glycosaminoglycan synthesis, which can accelerate the Articular damage in arthritic condition. Boswellia significantly reduce the degradation of Glycosaminoglycans.

Toxicity: Toxicity studies of Boswellia in rats and primates showed no pathological changes in Heamotological parameters at doses of up to 1000 mg/Kg. The LD50 was established more than 2 gm/kg.

REFERENCES

1. Dennis, T. J. et. al.: Bull. Med. Ethnobot. Res., 1: 353,(1980).
2. Fowler, j.: Ind. Inst. Sci., SA: 221, (1925).
3. Sharma: Ind. Drugs, 17: 225, (1980).
4. Bhuchar, V. M.: Ind. J. Tech., 20(l): 38, (1982).
5. Bhargava, G. G.: Ind. For., 104: 174, (1978).
6. Roberts, j.: Soc. Chem. Ind. (Lond.), 42: 486, (1923).
7. Parthy, R. S.: ind. J. Chem. See. B., 16B: 171, (1978).
8. Mukerji, S. et. al.: Ind. J. Pharm., 32: 48, (1970).
9. Simpson, J. C. E. and N. E. J. Willioms J. Chem. Soc. 686 (1938).
10. Simpson, J. C. E. and A. R. K. George J. Chem. Soc. 793 (1941).
11. Gupta, V. N. et al. Ind. Drugs. 24: 221 (1987) and references cited therein.
12. Garg, S. C.: Ind. J. Pharm., 36: 46, (1974). 13. Atal, C.K.:Symp.Int., Workshop on Pharma-cological and Biochemical, Approaches on Medicinal Plants, School of Biol. Sciences, Madurai, India, Abstract. 14. Singh, G. B. et. al.: lnd. J. Pharmacol., 16: 115, (1984).
15. Mishra, V. et. al.: Bull. Bot. Soc. Univ. Saugar., 27: 59, (1980).
16. Menon, M. K. and A. Kar: Planta Med., 19: 337, (1971).
17. Gogate,V. M.: Dravyagunavignyana, Continental Prakashan, Pune, (1982).

Caution: According to Ayurveda, herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the help of other.

"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."