Abstract
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
[Ca2+]:Cytosolic calcium concentration
CHE:Cholinesterase
Con A:Concanavalin A
COX1:Cyclooxygenase 1
COX2:Cyclooxygenase 2
cPLA:Phospholipase A
CRP:C-reactive protein
EC50:Effective concentration 50
ESR:Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
FEV1: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
IC50: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
LTB4:Leukotriene B4
LTC4:Leukotriene C4
LTD4:Leukotriene D4
LTE4:Leukotriene E4
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
Key words
Boswellic acids - anti-inflammatory actions - immune system - leukotrienes - chronic bowel diseases - arthritis - bronchial asthma