guidetohealth.com

Boswellia serrata
Boswellia serrata is a medium sized branching tree that grows in the dry, mountainous regions of India. The purified compound obtained from the trees' gummy resin is used in India for the treatment of chronic inflammatory arthritis.

Traditional uses:
The people of India use the gummy resin from boswellia (guggals) for arthritis, diarrhea, dysentery, lung disease, and parasitical worms.

Modern Perspective:
During the last decade, extensive studies have been undertaken to better understand the action of boswellia serrata. Results from these studies show that boswellic acids are very effective in rheumatic conditions and are safe for human use. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin are the mainstay in treating this condition, but many have serious adverse side effects.
India's council for Scientific and Industrial Research undertook a series of studies to discover herbal based anti-inflammatory products having beneficial effects on rheumatic diseases without any adverse side-effects. They concluded that boswellic acids, as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, are more beneficial, less toxic, and more potent than the standard drug of choice, Ketoprofen.

Do scientists know how it works?
Modern research has shown that a group of triterpenoids, called boswellic acids, are responsible for these effects.

Recent Findings:
A comparative study was conducted against known anti-inflammatory agents such as Ketoprofen and Phenylbutazone-examples of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The trial, involving a mixed group of 175 rheumatoid arthritis patients, ages five through seventy five, resulted in 97% reporting moderate to excellent improvement. The treatment (450-750 mg of boswellic acids per day) was effective in reducing pain, swollen joints, and morning stiffness; grip strength and physical performance also improved. None of these patients complained of any undesirable side effects. The abatement of symptoms was seen after 3-4 weeks of treatment initiation.

Types of Products:
Boswellia is available in capsules or tablets, and also in a soothing pain relieving cream containing capsaicin. Typically, products containing boswellic acids range from 150-250 mg per capsule or tablet.

References:

• Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggul ex-Bosewellia serrata, a new non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent. Agents and Actions 1986;18(3/4), 407-11.
• Safyhi H. Sailer ER, Amnon HPT. 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by acetyl-11-keto-b-boswellic acid. Phytomed 1996;3:71-2.
• Singh GB, et al. Symposium "Recent advances in mediators of inflammation and antiinflammatory agents. Abstract, Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu, India p. 38.
• Singh GB, et al. Boswellic acids. Drugs of the Future, 1993;19(4):307-9 - Sabinsa)
• Gupta VN, et al. Pharmacology of the gum resin of B. serrata. Ind Drugs 1987;24(5):221-3.
• Safayi H, et al. Boswellic acids: Novel, specific, non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharm and Exp Therap 1992;261(3):1143.
• Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggul ex-Bosewellia serrata, a new non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent. Agents and Actions 1986;18(3/4), 407-11.
• Sharma ML, et al. Effect of Saai Guggal, ex-boswellia serrata on cellular and humoral immune response and leucocyte migration. Agents and Actions 1988;24, 161-64.
• Sharma ML, et al. Anti-arthritic activity of boswellic acids in bovine serum albumin-induced arthritis. Int J Immunopharmacol. 1989;11(6):647-52.
• Kapil A, Moza N. Anti-complementary activity of boswellic acids-an inhibitor of C-3 convertase of the classical complement pathway. Int J Immunopharmacol. 1992;14(7): 1139-43.
• Singh GB, et al. Symposium "Recent advances in mediators of inflammation and antiinflammatory agents. Abstract, Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu, India p. 49.
• Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggul ex-Bosewellia serrata, a new non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent. Agents and Actions 1986;18(3/4), 407-11.
• Annual Report, Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu, India (1987-88) p. 1-2.
• Duwiejua M, et al. Antiinflammatory activity of resins from some species of the plant family Burseraceae. Planta Med 1993 Feb;59(1):12-16.
• Reddy GK, et al. Urinary excretion of connective tissue metabolites under the influence of a new non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent in adjuvant induced arthritis. Agents and Actions 1987;22, 99-105.
• Gupta VN, et al. Pharmacology of the gum resin of B. serrata. Ind Drugs 1987;24(5):221-3.
• Pachnanda VK, et al. Ind J Pharm 1981;(13):63.
• Annual Report, Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu, India p. 1-2.
• Singh GB, et al. New phytotherapeutic agent for treatment of arthritis and alled disorders with novel mode of action. IV Ann Int Congress on Phytotherapy, Sept. 1992, Munich Germany, Abstract SL 74.

Browse Our Wide Selection of Boswellia Products