Boswellia
side effects and medical uses for arthritis
Boswellic acids benefit a number of conditions including asthma and
osteoarthritis
Boswellia is an Ayurvedic herb that contains anti-inflammatory triterpenoids called boswellic acids. Boswellic acid and its derivatives have anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Dried extracts of the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree have been used since antiquity in India to treat inflammatory conditions. This herb is often added to formulas for joint health. For more boswellia information.
Boswellia Extract , 65% Boswellic
Acids,
Nature's Way
Boswellia Extract is standardized to 65% boswellic
acids, with the researched clinical dose used to support joint health and
mobility. Boswellia Extract is concentrated from the specially processed resins
and gums of the Boswellia serratta tree. The benefits of boswellia are due to
the presence of four triterpene acids, especially B-eta boswellic acid. This
Boswellia Extract is carefully standardized to contain at least 65% boswellic
acids.
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Boswellia Supplement Facts:
Boswellia serratta dried extract - 307 mg
Yielding 65% extract, yielding: 200 mg Boswellic Acids
Suggested Use: One tablet boswellia extract one or two times daily with a meal. There is not enough research with boswellia yet to determine the full benefits this plant offers and to know with more certainty the best boswellic acid dosage to take for long term use.
For more info on Joint Power Rx. For more info on Glucosamine Sulfate and another helpful nutrient Chondroitin-Sulfate.
Boswellia side effects and safety
No major boswellia side effects are
reported in the medical literature. However, in rodent studies Very high doses
of boswellia and boswellic acid have caused some harm to the liver whereas low
dosage of boswellia were protective to the liver. No boswellia side effects of
liver damage has been reported in humans as of April 2007.
Effect of hexane extract of Boswellia serrata
oleo-gum resin on chemically induced liver damage.
Pak J Pharm Sci. 2006 Apr;19(2):129-33. Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy,
5, Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560 034, India.
The hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia serrata was evaluated for its
effect on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or
thioacetamide. Boswellia serrata was given in two different doses (87.5 mg/kg
p.o. and 175 mg/kg p.o.). Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent was used as
standard. The lower dose of Boswellia serrata (87.5 mg/kg p.o.) significantly
reduced the elevated levels of serum marker enzymes and prevented the increase
in liver weight in all three models of liver injury, while the higher dose
showed mild hepatoprotective activity. The hepatoprotective effect of lower dose
of Boswellia serrata was supported by changes in histopathology. It was
concluded that hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia serrata plant in
lower doses possess hepatoprotective activity.
Mechanism of Action of boswellia extract
Boswellia may inhibit proinflammatory 5-lipoxygenase products and blockage of
leukotriene synthesis.
Boswellic acid
Boswellia plant species are used in traditional medicine in India and African
countries for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Animal experiments show
anti-inflammatory activity of the boswellia extract. The mechanism of this
action is due to boswellic acids. Boswellic acids are different from that of
NSAID. Boswellic acids, the main active ingredients of Boswellia serrata, are
anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme of
leukotriene biosynthesis. The most evident action of boswellic acid is the
inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. However, other factors such as cytokines
(interleukins and TNF-alpha) and the complement system are also candidates.
Moreover, leukocyte elastase and oxygen radicals are targets.
Potential Benefits of Boswellia
Asthma -- In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the use of 300 mg of boswellia 3 times daily led to improvement in signs and symptoms of asthma,
including a reduction in asthma attacks.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease -
In one study of 30 patients aged 18-48
with chronic colitis, 20 were given boswellia extract 300 mg 3 times a week for
6 weeks, and the other 10 were given sulfasalazine, 1 g three times a day. Of
the 20 treated with boswellia, 14 went into remission, as did 4 of the 10
treated with the drug. Patients were studied at the Department of Medicine, Medical College
Jammu, J&K, India suffered from chronic colitis characterized by vague lower abdominal
pain, bleeding per rectum with diarrhoea and palpable tender descending and sigmoid colon.
The inflammatory process in colitis is associated with increased formation of leukotrienes
causing chemotaxis, chemokinesis, synthesis of superoxide radicals and release of
lysosomal enzymes by phagocytes. The key enzyme for leukotriene biosynthesis is
5-lipoxygenase. Boswellic acids were found to be non-redox, non-competitive specific
inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. (see research update
below)
Osteoarthritis -- boswellia is helpful (see research update below).
An Ayurvedic herbal combination of ashwagandha,
boswellia , and curcumin was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo
controlled, cross-over study in patients with
osteoarthritis. Treatment with
this formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain.
Boswellia Dosage
No guidelines have been established as to the ideal dosage of boswellia. One option
is to take boswellia 300 to 500 mg 2 or 3 times a day of an extract standardized to
contain 30 to 40% boswellic acids. The full effect may take several weeks.
Boswellia Research Update
Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in
treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo
controlled trial.
Kimmatkar N. Phytomedicine. 2003
Jan;10(1):3-7.
MS Orthopedics, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Nagpur, India.
Boswellia
extract availability by herbal suppliers
Boswellia extract is sold in a number of concentrations and extract potencies
including 65 percent boswellic acids.
Boswellia questions
Q. I came across a product called Boswellia Complex. The website says that the
ingredients in Boswellia Complex have pain relieving, anti-inflammatory
properties. Is this true?
A. Boswellia Complex is a combination of herbs. Each capsule
contains: Bromelain (2400 gdu/gram) 100 mg, Boswellia serrata extract (65%
organic acids) (Alpha and beta Boswellic acids min. 30% by HPLC) 200 mg, Curcuma
longa (tumeric) extract (total cucuminoids 80-80% by HPLC) 200 mg and Quercetin
100 mg. Although we have not seen specific research with this Boswellia Complex
product, the ingredients in this product appear to be beneficial.
Q. I'm looking for boswellia side effects or
contraindications for boswellia. Is it safe for anyone? Does boswellia serrata
thin your blood?
A. No major boswellia side
effects are reported in the medical literature. We don't know if boswellia
serrata has any influence on clotting.
Q. What is the difference between Boswellia,
Bowellin and Boswellic acids? Also I see recommended dosage of one, two and
three tablets per day. Would like to try it but don't know how to start.
A. Boswellia is the name of the herb, and the herb contains many
different active chemicals. Some of their names are boswellin and boswellic
acid. It is always a good idea the first time taking a new supplement to use the
lowest dosage.
Q. I take boswelia and mangosteen everyday
for my back pain. I have in the last couple of months become very tired and
can't seem to wake up during the day. is there something else i can take to
bring me back to the person i used to be.
A. Sometimes taking too much of certain supplements for too long
can cause fatigue or other unexpected side effects. Fatigue can also be caused
by a number of other factors that need to be evaluated by a health care
provider.
Q. Can one combine
aphrodisiac tongkat ali herb with boswellia or will there be side effects?