Introduction
Boswellia Serrata is an Indian herb with a rich tradition in
the ancient health system of Ayurveda.People all over the world
rely on Boswellia to help them lead healthy, active lives. Boswellia
isprimarily used to nourish the joints, promoting healthy function
foreasy,worry-free activity.Its oleo-gum-resin is fragrant,
transparent and brownish yellow in color and has powerful anti-inflammatory
properties that that have been proved though clinical research.
It is also found to be anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, analgesic
and sedative. Boswellia Serratta is mainly used for prevention
of rheumatic disorders, improving appetite and helping in general
weakness.Parts used: Bark, gum.
Origin
Boswellia is found though out Western and Central India. Boswellia
Serratta is a tree found in the dry forests in some parts of
India.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
In Boswellia serrata gum resin is boswellic
acid which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. The gum resin
is used as an ointment for sores and has anti-inflammatory,antiatherosclero
tic and antiarthritic activities. The nonphenolic fraction of
the gum resin had marked sedative and nalgesic action. The fraction
potentiated secobarbitone induced hypnosis. The gum is a well
known household fumigant and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent
when applied externally.Internally,besides being antiarthritic,
it has expectorant effects. It also reduces body weight.
Pharmacology
Animal studies performed in India showed ingestion
of a defatted alcoholic extract of Boswellia decreased polymorphonuclear
leukocyte infiltration and migration, decreased primary antibody
synthesis and caused almost total inhibition of the classical
complement pathway. In an in vitro study of the effects of ß-Boswellic
acid on the complement system,the extract demonstrated a marked
inhibitory effect on both the classical and alternate complement
systems.
In vitro testing revealed Boswellia in a dose-dependent
manner, blocks the synthesis of pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase
products, including 5- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and
leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which cause bronchoconstriction, chemotaxis,
and increased vascular permeability. A recent in vivo study examined
Boswellia extract and ketoprofen for their effects on glycosaminoglycan
metabolism. Boswellia significantly reduced the degradation of
glycosaminoglycans compared to controls, whereas ketoprofen caused
a reduction in total tissue glycosaminoglycan content.
Remedies
For
It is used in rheumatic disorders. It is also
used to improve appetite, osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis,
diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary disease, and ringworm and in general
weakness. It has an antidiarrhoeal action. The ability to inhibit
5-Lipoxygenase makes Boswellia a powerful anti-inflammatory. Boswellia
is also used to treat Ulcerative Colitis. In Ayurveda, Boswellia
has been used as a treatment for rheumatism, nervous system disorders,
and as a topical anti-inflammatory.
Dosage
For rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis,
150 mg of boswellic acids are taken three times per day. As an
example, if an extract contains 37.5% boswellic acids, 400 mg
of the extract would be taken three times daily. In the one clinical
trial to date, people with ulcerative colitis used 550 mg of boswellia
extract three times per day.
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References:
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| 1. |
.Menon,
A.K. and Kar, A., Analgesic and psychopharmacological effects
of the gum resin of |
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Boswellia
serrata, Planta Med., 1970-71,19,33. |
| 2. |
Singh,
G.B., Singh, B. and Atal, C.K., Assessment of total boswellic
acids for anti-inflammatory |
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activity,
Indian J. Pharmacol., 1981,13,63,67. |
| 3. |
Thakur,
R.S., Puri, H.S., and Husain, A., Major medicinal plants
of India, CIMAP,Lucknow, 1989, 123. |
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