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Library Ingredients Cosmeceutical Ingredients

Cosmeceutical Critique: BoswelliaDr. Leslie Baumann

Volume 37, Issue 11, Page 17 (November 2006)

The Boswellia serrata tree is native to central and western India, where it is known as salai guggal.It is a member of the Burseraceae family, which comprises roughly 30 tree and bush species foundin India, the Middle East, and East Africa. Boswellia is one of several plants whose components areknown to alleviate swelling (Phytomedicine 2003;10:37; Phytother. Res. 2004;18:34357).

The B. serrata exudate or gum (known in India as guggulu) forms the aromatic resin frankincense,which has been traditionally used as incense. This exudate has been known for thousands of yearsto possess therapeutic properties. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammatory andarthritic conditions (Phytomedicine 2003;10:37; Wien Med. Wochenschr. 2002;152:3738;Biofactors 2000;13:22530).

The gum resin extract of B. serrata has recently gained attention in Western medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, and analgesic properties. Anticarcinogenic, antitumorigenic, andantihyperlipidemic activities also have been reported (Phytomedicine 2003;10:37; Carcinogenesis2002;23:208793; Biofactors 2000;13:22530).

The use of compounds isolated from the gum resin to treat inflammatory conditions comports withevidence that leukotrienes, which are associated with various chronic inflammatory conditions, areinhibited by the primary constituents of B. serrata, boswellic acids (Wien Med. Wochenschr.2002;152:3738; Eur. J. Med. Res. 1998;3:5114). One such condition is irritable bowel disease,which the gum resin of B. serrata has been found to positively affect (Int. J. Colorectal Dis.2001;16:8895).

Boswellic acids have been shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis in neutrophilic granulocytes byhindering 5-lipoxygenase as a result of binding to the enzyme. In addition, boswellic acids havebeen noted for inhibiting elastase in leukocytes, and for having wide-ranging effects on humanleukemia and glioma cell lines, particularly inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and impairingtopoisomerases (Wien Med. Wochenschr. 2002;152:3738; Anticancer Res. 2002;22:285362).Moreover, boswellic acids have exhibited antiproliferative properties against various types ofmalignant cells.

Antineoplastic Action

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In a study evaluating the ethanolic extract of B. serrata gum resin containing a defined amount ofboswellic acids for its cytotoxic, cytostatic, and apoptotic effects on human malignancies, theextract dose-dependently induced antiproliferative effects on all five leukemia and two brain tumorcell lines tested. The total extract was more than twice as potent as the boswellia constituent 3-O-acetyl-11-keto--boswellic acid (AKBA) in three hematologic cell lines (Anticancer Res.2002;22:285362). AKBA is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene that exerts antiproliferativeeffects against various types of tumors.

Anticancer activity also is exhibited by other B. serrata components. -Boswellic acid, keto--boswellic acid (KBA), and AKBAparticularly the last twohave demonstrated antiproliferativeand apoptotic effects on human colon cancer HT-29 cells (Carcinogenesis 2002;23:208793). KBAand AKBA also exert antiproliferative and anticancer effects on liver cancer Hep G2 cells (Int. J.Mol. Med. 2002;10:5015).

In a two-stage mouse study, boswellin, a methanol extract of B. serrata containing triterpenoids, -boswellic acid, and related derivatives, was topically applied to the backs of mice treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to initiate and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) topromote tumors. The extract was found to inhibit skin inflammation, epidermal proliferation, thenumber of epidermal cell layers, and tumor promotion induced by DMBA and TPA. Theinvestigators also found that DNA synthesis in human leukemia HL-60 cell culture was dose-dependently suppressed by -boswellic acid, KBA, or AKBA (Biofactors 2000;13:22530).

Anti-Inflammatory Action

If there is a consensus on the primary health effects of B. serrata, it is that the herb inhibits theproliferation of tissue in and around inflamed areas and hinders connective tissue deterioration.Such effects can have far-reaching implications for treatment indications. Promising results havebeen reported from clinical trials using boswellic acids to treat bronchial asthma, Crohn's disease,chronic and ulcerative colitis, peritumoral brain edema, and rheumatoid arthritis (Wien Med.Wochenschr. 2002;152:3738), as well as anaphylaxis. In a study evaluating antianaphylaxisactivity in rats, a B. serrata formulation containing 60% AKBA as well as KBA was found to dose-dependently inhibit passive paw anaphylaxis and confer mast cell stabilizing activity (Indian J. Exp.Biol. 2003;41:14602).

B. serrata extract was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studyof 30 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Fifteen patients received boswellia and 15 receivedplacebo for 8 weeks, followed by washout and then the opposite intervention for 8 weeks.

Although no changes were noted in x-rays, all patients reported reduced pain, increased flexion,and increased walking distance in association with B. serrata treatment; the differences betweendrug treatment and placebo were statistically significant. Aside from minor gastrointestinalreactions, the B. serrata extract was well tolerated. The investigators concluded that the extract is asuitable treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee and has potential for application to other kinds ofarthritis (Phytomedicine 2003;10:37).

A recent study conducted with Sprague-Dawley rats revealed that oral administration of boswelliaextract or AKBA dosedependently conferred significant improvements in an inflammatory boweldisease model. Specifically, ileitis was induced by indomethacin administration. The resultantleukocyte-endothelial cell adhesive interactions and severe tissue injury were significantlydiminished by boswellia extract or AKBA treatment (Int. J. Colorectal Dis. 2001;16:8895).

In a 6-week study of the effects of B. serrata on 30 patients (17 men and 13 women) aged 1848years with chronic colitis, 20 patients were given a B. serrata preparation and 10 patients treatedwith sulfasalazine served as controls. In all, 18 of the B. serrata patients (90%) exhibitedimprovement in several symptoms, while 6 control patients (60%) improved. The investigatorsconcluded that B. serrata has potential as a safe and effective treatment of chronic colitis (PlantaMed. 2001;67:3915), which supports previous findings for ulcerative colitis (Eur. J. Med. Res.1997;2:3743).

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A randomized, double-blind, parallel group study compared the efficacy and safety of mesalazinewith those of the B. serrata extract H15 for treating Crohn's disease, an indication for which H15has been approved in Germany. H15 was found to be as efficacious as the established drug. Itresulted in significantly larger reductions in the Crohn's Disease Activity Index, suggesting that theextract has a superior benefit-risk profile (Z. Gastroenterol. 2001;39:117).

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-week study of the effects of the gum resin of B. serrata onasthma in 23 men and 17 women aged 1875 years, 70% of patients showed improvement asevidenced by disappearance of dyspnea, rhonchi, and other symptoms, and a reduction in numberof attacks; in comparison, only 27% of controls showed improvement. The investigators concludedthat B. serrata gum resin is a viable treatment for bronchial asthma (Eur. J. Med. Res. 1998;3:5114).

Others note, though, that although boswellia has been found to be a safe and effective treatment,alone or in combination, for asthma, no longitudinal data exist to support or contraindicate thisapproach (Prim. Care 2002;29:23161).

Finally, B. serrata is a key component of BHUx, a polyherbal formulation that has been shown to bea potent antioxidant and a suppressant of important inflammatory mediators in the arachidonic acidcascade (Inflammopharmacology 2004;12:13152).

Conclusions

There is evidence demonstrating B. serrata's anti-inflammatory efficacy and promising researchindicating its potential for treating various indications, including cancer.

Interestingly, boswellia is found in many skin creams, especially the expensive ones (e.g., EsteLauder Body Performance Toning Bust Serum, 1.7 oz/$45, and Este Lauder Re-Nutriv UltimateLifting Crme, 1.7 oz/$250). However, no studies looking at efficacy in the skin have beenpublished.

We have no idea if boswellia is stable in a skin product and if it can penetrate the skin to have aneffect. I encourage the companies that have incorporated it into their products to perform a well-designed trial to look at efficacy before consumers throw more dollars away on the hope that thisingredient is effective in the skin.

PII: S0037-6337(06)71653-9

doi:10.1016/S0037-6337(06)71653-9

2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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