Boswellic Acid: A Multifunctional Phytochemical With Promising Therapeutic Potential

Boswellic acids, a class of pentacyclic triterpenes extracted from the gum resin of Boswellia species, have been recognized as bioactive compounds of significant pharmacological importance. People often call Boswellia serrata "Salai guggal." The resin part of Salai guggal is full of Boswellic acids, while the essential oil part is made up of a combination of mono-, di-, and sesquiterpenes. The gum part is mostly made up of pentose and hexose sugars. Traditional Chinese and Indian medicine practitioners use this oleo-gum resin a lot because it has a lot of useful biological properties. For example, it can reduce inflammation, arthritis, rheumatism, diarrhea, high cholesterol, asthma, cancer, and microbes, and it can also relieve pain. Boswellic acids have also been shown to be strong against viruses, cancer, and inflammation. It has been utilized as a natural remedy since prehistoric times to treat both acute and chronic conditions, including inflammatory illnesses. The goal of this study is to give an overview of boswellic acids' chemical structure, pharmacological profile, therapeutic potential, and formulation strategies. It will focus on current improvements in drug delivery systems that are meant to make them more effective and available.