Boswellic Acids in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

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Oleogum resins from Boswellia species are used in traditional medicine in India and African countries for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Animal experiments showed anti-inflammatory activity of the extract. The mechanism of this action is due to some boswellic acids. It is different from that of NSAID and is related to components of the immune system. The most evident action is the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. However, other factors such as cytokines (interleukins and TNF-α) and the complement system are also candidates. Moreover, leukocyte elastase and oxygen radicals are targets. Clinical studies, so far with pilot character, suggest efficacy in some autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and bronchial asthma. Side effects are not severe when compared to modern drugs used for the treatment of these diseases. Abbreviations AKBA:Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid BA:Boswellic acid BE:Extract from oleogum resin of Boswellia serrata BS: Boswellia serrata BSA:Bovine serum albumin [Ca 2+ ]:Cytosolic calcium concentration CHE:Cholinesterase Con A:Concanavalin A COX1:Cyclooxygenase 1 COX2:Cyclooxygenase 2 cPLA:Phospholipase A CRP:C-reactive protein EC 50 :Effective concentration 50 ESR:Erythrocyte sedimentation rate FEV 1 :Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (liters) FLAP:5-Lipoxygenase activating protein fMLP: n -Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanin FVC:Forced vital capacity (liters) HAB:Homöopathisches Arzneibuch (German homeopathic pharmacopoeia) 5-HETE:5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid 12-HETE:12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid 12-HHT:12-Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid HLE:Human leucocyte elastase IC 50 :Inhibitory concentration 50 5-LO:5-Lipoxygenase IKK:IκBα kinase IL-1:Interleukin-1 IL-2:Interleukin-2 KBA:11-Keto-β-boswellic acid LPS:Lipopolysaccharide LTB 4 :Leukotriene B 4 LTC 4 :Leukotriene C 4 LTD 4 :Leukotriene D 4 LTE 4 :Leukotriene E 4 MAPK:Mitogen activated protein kinase MCH:Mean corpuscular haemoglobin MCHC:Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration MCV:Mean corpuscular volume MEK:Mitogen activated protein kinase kinase NSAID:Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug P38:p38 kinase P42:p42 kinase PEFR:Peak expiratory flowrate PGF 1α:Prostaglandin F 1α PHA:Phytohaemagglutinin PI3-K:Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PMNs:Polymorphonuclear neutrophils RAS:21 kDA-GTP-binding protein TA:Tirucallic acid TH1:T-Helper cells 1 TH2:T-Helper cells 2 TNFα:Tumor necrosis factor α