The journey of boswellic acids from synthesis to pharmacological activities

Abstract

There has been a lot of interest in using naturally occurring substances to treat a wide variety of chronic disorders in recent years. From the gum resin of Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carteri, the pentacyclic triterpene molecules known as boswellic acid (BA) are extracted. We aimed to provide a detailed overview of the origins, chemistry, synthetic derivatives, pharmacokinetic, and biological activity of numerous Boswellia species and their derivatives. The literature searched for reports of B. serrata and isolated BAs having anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-asthmatic, and clastogenic activities. Our results revealed that the cytotoxic and anticancer effects of B. serrata refer to its triterpenoid component, including BAs. Three-O-acetyl-11-keto—BA was the most promising cytotoxic molecule among tested substances. Activation of caspases, upregulation of Bax expression, downregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), and stimulation of poly (ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage are the primary mechanisms responsible for cytotoxic and antitumor effects. Evidence suggests that BAs have shown promise in combating a wide range of debilitating disease conditions, including cancer, hepatic, inflammatory, and neurological disorders. Graphical abstract

An Evaluation of the Impact of 60Co Irradiation on Volatile Organic Compounds of Olibanum Using Gas Chromatography Ion Mobility Spectrometry

“…Irradiation sterilization is a cold sterilization method that uses highly penetrating gamma rays produced by 60 Co, the main mechanism of which is destroying the DNA and RNA in microbial cells. This causes the damaged DNA and RNA to degrade, which causes the organisms to lose their ability to synthesize proteins and maintain their genetic functions, thereby exerting a bactericidal effect on microorganisms [10].…”

In vitro evaluation of antileishmanial activity of Boswellia serrata essential oil nanoliposome

“…B. serrata essential oil's anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial properties have been demonstrated in clinical trials and explored for its potential application in managing various health conditions (Khalifa et al., 2023; Rashan et al., 2019). Clinical research on B. serrata highlights its diverse therapeutic benefits, particularly its anti‐inflammatory properties attributed to bioactive compounds like boswellic acids in its resin (Ragab et al., 2023; Solanki et al., 2024). Studies emphasise its potential efficacy in managing conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, positioning B. serrata as a promising natural remedy for chronic joint ailments (Tripathy et al., 2022).…”