Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity

Frank, Mark Barton; Yang, Qingqing; Osban, Jeanette; Azzarello, Joseph; Saban, Marcia R.; Saban, Ricardo; Ashley, Richard; Welter, Jan C; Fung, Kar‐Ming; Lin, Hsueh Kung

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-9-6

Cited by 99 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In other studies, it was demonstrated that some transcription factors were up-regulated by Frankincense extract. This resin also activated caspase dependent apoptotic pathway, Akt and Erk1/2, and suppressed the expression of CyclinD1 in some cancer cell lines (7,25). An important feature of necrosis was shown to elicit a proinflammatory response that might recruit immune cells to the tumor site, thereby increasing the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different extracts from these gum-resins might possess anti-cancer properties (7). Most of the previous studies focused on essential oil or hydroalcoholic extract of this resin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the previous studies focused on essential oil or hydroalcoholic extract of this resin. Boswellic acids and alcohol soluble components of Frankincense were previously reported to exhibit cytostatic and apoptotic effects in multiple human cancer cell lines, including fibrosarcoma, meningioma, melanoma, leukemia and colon cancer (7). In some other studies, boswellic acid was shown to inhibit several signaling molecules such as 5-lipoxygenase, leukocyte elas-Since water solubility plays an important role in drug bioavailability, and Frankincense has low side effects on normal human tissues and also owing to its cytotoxic effects on some cancer cell lines, this study was designed to investigate the effect of the anticancer activity of aqueous fraction of Frankincense oleo-gum-resin on human OSCC cell line.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Its final product is composed of 30% -60% resin, 5% -10% essential and aromatic oil (mostly monoterpenes), and 30% -55% polysaccharides. There are various types of Frankincense trees, producing different types of resins in terms of their biochemical properties mainly because of different soil and climatic conditions in which they grow (7,8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of Frankincense on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line

Jaafari‐Ashkavandi¹,

Hamedi²,

Assar³

et al. 2017

Int J Cancer Manag

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Background: Cytotoxic effects of Frankincense resin have been shown on some cancer cell lines. Due to its low side effects, this study was designed to evaluate the anticancer properties of water soluble elements of Frankincense oleo-gum-resin on human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Methods:Oleo-gum-resin was macerated in ethanol. After filtration, the water soluble fraction of dried residue was extracted. KB cells were treated with 0, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 µg/mL concentrations of obtained Frankincense aqueous fractions and with Doxorubicin as positive control. Frankincense induced cell cytotoxicity; apoptosis and proliferation were investigated using WST assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI, and Ki-67 staining, respectively. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test by SPSS 17 software.Results: IC50 of 137.21 µg/mL was obtained from Frankincense aqueous fraction after 48 hours. The percentage of apoptotic cells was elevated in a time-and dose-dependent manner. There was no statistical difference in the Ki-67 expression of KB cells, using different concentration of Frankincense aqueous fraction after 24 and 48 hours (P = 0.083). Doxorubicin inhibited cells growth essentially through apoptosis. Conclusions:Frankincense aqueous fractions seem to suppress KB cell growth through the induction of apoptosis and necrosis rather than the inhibition of proliferation and hence might be a potential anticancer agent. Structural analysis and purification of potent components are suggested for determining more definitive results.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different extracts from these gum-resins might possess anti-cancer properties (7). Most of the previous studies focused on essential oil or hydroalcoholic extract of this resin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Effects of Frankincense on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line

Jaafari‐Ashkavandi¹,

Hamedi²,

Assar³

et al. 2017

Int J Cancer Manag

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“…Boswellia serrata is a kind of deciduous tree native to arid parts of India and China, containing Boswellic acids that chemically resemble steroids 7 . In addition, the boswellic acids and their analogs such as 11-keto-b-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-b-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid also exhibit strong anti-cancer activities against brain tumors and leukemia cells 8 . The pentacyclic triterpenic acid named Boswellic acid present in the gum resin is responsible for its anti-inflammatory property 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and Characterization of Integrated Boswellic Acid and Phycocyanin Nanoparticle for Medical Applications

Ranganathan¹,

Ravikumar²,

Devi³

et al. 2017

Int. Res. J. Pharm.

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The integrated Boswellic acid and Phycocyanin nanoparticle has important medical applications and major advantage than using individually. This study investigates various properties of integrated nanoparticle in comparison with individual particles. The Boswellic acid was extracted from Boswellia serrata and Phycocyanin from Oscilllatoria cortiana. The compounds were purified using precipitation, dialysis and chromatography methods. The characterizations of the purified compounds were done using SDS-PAGE, HPLC and FTIR. The purified compounds were then integrated and characterized using SEM, Zeta potential measurements, EDAX and cytotoxicity studies. The Boswellic acid extracted from Boswellia serrata had a total organic content of 55%. The Oscillatoria cortiana gave high yield of 63% of Phycocyanin. The integrated Boswellic acid and C-PC coated selenium nanoparticle had a size of 210 nm determined using SEM and the stability was high with -50.0mV by Zeta potential measurements compared to individual compounds. The elemental composition using EDAX studies showed selenium 3.07% by weight and carbon 65.70% by weight along with oxygen, nitrogen and negligible quantities of sodium and chlorine. The best IC50 was observed for integrated Boswellic acid and C-PC coated selenium nanoparticle at 16.87μg/ml. The herbal extracts find several medical applications and act as potential alternatives for various drugs. The integration of poly herbal drug finds more advantage and efficacy when compared to that of the individual compound.

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