Skin Care Research: Boswellia Serrata for DIY Skin Care

Boswelia

"The Boswellia serrata tree is native to central and western India, where it is known as salai guggal. It is a member of the Burseraceae family, which comprises roughly 30 tree and bush species found in India, the Middle East, and East Africa. Boswellia is one of several plants whose components are known to alleviate swelling (Phytomedicine 2003;10:3–7; Phytother. Res. 2004;18:343–57).

The B. serrata exudate or gum (known in India as “guggulu”) forms the aromatic resin frankincense, which has been traditionally used as incense. This exudate has been known for thousands of years to possess therapeutic properties. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammatory and arthritic conditions (Phytomedicine 2003;10:3–7; Wien Med. Wochenschr. 2002;152:373–8; Biofactors 2000;13:225–30).

The gum resin extract of B. serrata has recently gained attention in Western medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, and analgesic properties. Anticarcinogenic, antitumorigenic, and antihyperlipidemic activities also have been reported (Phytomedicine 2003;10:3–7; Carcinogenesis 2002;23:2087–93; Biofactors 2000;13:225–30).

The use of compounds isolated from the gum resin to treat inflammatory conditions comports with evidence that leukotrienes, which are associated with various chronic inflammatory conditions, are inhibited by the primary constituents of B. serrata, boswellic acids (Wien Med. Wochenschr. 2002;152:373–8; Eur. J. Med. Res. 1998;3:511–4). One such condition is irritable bowel disease, which the gum resin of B. serrata has been found to positively affect (Int. J. Colorectal Dis. 2001;16:88–95).

Boswellic acids have been shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis in neutrophilic granulocytes by hindering 5-lipoxygenase as a result of binding to the enzyme. In addition, boswellic acids have been noted for inhibiting elastase in leukocytes, and for having wide-ranging effects on human leukemia and glioma cell lines, particularly inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and impairing topoisomerases (Wien Med. Wochenschr. 2002;152:373–8; Anticancer Res. 2002;22:2853–62). Moreover, boswellic acids have exhibited antiproliferative properties against various types of malignant cells." BAUMANN LS., Boswellia, Skin & Allergy News- 2006 11 (Vol. 37, Issue 11)

Inhibitory effects of beta-boswellic acids on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, arachidonic acid metabolism, and tumor promotion in mouse skin

Mou-Tuan Huang, Yue Liu, Vladimir Badmaev and Chi-Tang Ho, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, Sabinsa Inc., Piscataway, NJ, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

" Boswellia serrata extracts have been used for centuries as an herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammation and related diseases in India and China.

Topical application of TPA (0.8 nmol) onto ears of CD-1 mice once a day for 4-5 days induced persistent inflammation that was corrected with elevated protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as formation of PGE2 and LTB4 levels in the mouse ears.

Topical application of BE and pure beta-boswellic acid at 30 min before each TPA application once a day for 4 days inhibited TPA-induced persistent inflammation and expression IL-1beta and IL-6 protein levels as well as inhibited formation of LTB4 levels, but not PGE2 levels in mouse ears.

Topical application of 1.2 and 3.6 mg of BE before TPA (5 nmol) to skin of DMBA-initiated mice twice a week for 16 weeks inhibited the average number of skin tumors per mouse by 87 and 99%, respectively, and the percent of the mice with skin tumors was decreased by 59 or 92%, respectively.

The results indicating that BE and beta-boswellic acids had strong anti-inflammatory and cancer preventive activities." Read more

Anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic activities of triterpenoid, beta-boswellic acid.

Huang MT, Badmaev V, Ding Y, Liu Y, Xie JG, Ho CT., Laboratory for Cancer Research, College of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020, USA.

"Boswellin (BE), a methanol extract of the gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata, contains naturally occurring triterpenoids, beta-boswellic acid and its structural related derivatives, has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and arthritic diseases.

Topical application of BE to the backs of mice markedly inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced increases in skin inflammation, epidermal proliferation, the number of epidermal cell layers, and tumor promotion in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mice. " Read more

Mechanism of antiinflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids.

Ammon HP, Safayhi H, Mack T, Sabieraj J., Department of Pharmacology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tubingen, FRG.

"...Boswellic acids were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata and identified as the active principles. Boswellic acids inhibited the leukotriene synthesis via 5-lipoxygenase, but did not affect the 12-lipoxygenase and the cyclooxygenase activities. Additionally, boswellic acids did not impair the peroxidation of arachidonic acid by iron and ascorbate. The data suggest that boswellic acids are specific, non-redox inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis either interacting directly with 5-lipoxygenase or blocking its translocation.." Read more

Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase.

Safayhi H, Mack T, Sabieraj J, Anazodo MI, Subramanian LR, Ammon HP.

"Isomers (alpha- and beta-) of boswellic acids (BAs), 11-keto-beta-BA and their acetyl derivatives were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. BA and derivatives concentration dependently decreased the formation of leukotriene B4 from endogenous arachidonic acid in rat peritoneal neutrophils. Among the BAs, acetyl-11-keto-beta-BA induced the most pronounced inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) product formation with an IC50 of 1.5 microM. In contrast to the redox type 5-LO inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid, BA in concentrations up to 400 microM did not impair the cyclooxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase in isolated human platelets and the peroxidation of arachidonic acid by Fe-ascorbate. The data strongly suggest that BAs are specific, nonreducing-type inhibitors of the 5-LO product formation either interacting directly with the 5-LO or blocking its translocation."

Inhibition by boswellic acids of human leukocyte elastase.

Safayhi H, Rall B, Sailer ER, Ammon HP., Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tuebingen, Germany.

"Frankincense extracts and boswellic acids, biologically active pentacyclic triterpenes of frankincense, block leukotriene biosynthesis and exert potent anti-inflammatory effects. Screening for additional effects of boswellic acids on further proinflammatory pathways, we observed that acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, an established direct, nonredox and noncompetitive 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, decreased the activity of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) in vitro with an IC50 value of about 15 microM. Among the pentacyclic triterpenes tested in concentrations up to 20 microM, we also observed substantial inhibtion by beta-boswellic acid, amyrin and ursolic acid, but not by 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid. The data show that the dual inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and HLE is unique to boswellic acids: other pentacyclic triterpenes with HLE inhibitory activities (e.g., ursolic acid and amyrin) do not inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, and leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors from different chemical classes (e.g., NDGA, MK-886 and ZM-230,487) do not impair HLE activity. Because leukotriene formation and HLE release are increased simultaneously by neutrophil stimulation in a variety of inflammation- and hypersensitivity-based human diseases, the reported blockade of two proinflammatory enzymes by boswellic acids might be the rationale for the putative antiphlogistic activity of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and derivatives." Read more

Inflammation Control Options from Nature

"The gum resin of the ancient herb frankincense has been used in India for the treatment of a variety of health conditions, including ulcers, dyspepsia, pain, and inflammation. Boswellia serrata has been found to block the synthesis ofleukotrienes, which can trigger inflammation. "(Read PDF)

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Advanced Skin Care Research on Boswellia Serrata: Studies have shown that Boswellia Serrata (Boswelic Acid) is an effective anti-inflammatory ingredient for skin care.

Boswellia serrata research

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