Boswellia Frereana Research Articles

Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of Frankincense: Implications for Anticancer Therapy.

The discovery of novel antitumor agents derived from natural plants is a principal objective of anticancer drug research. Frankincense, a widely recognized natural antitumor medicine, has undergone a systematic review encompassing its species, chemical constituents, and diverse pharmacological activities and mechanisms. The different species of frankincense include Boswellia serrata, Somali frankincense, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia arabica. Various frankincense extracts and compounds exhibit antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties and antioxidation, memory enhancement, and immunological regulation capabilities. They also have comprehensive effects on regulating flora. Frankincense and its principal chemical constituents have demonstrated promising chemoprophylactic and therapeutic abilities against tumors. This review provides a systematic summary of the mechanism of action underlying the antitumor effects of frankincense and its major constituents, thus laying the foundations for developing effective tumor-combating targets.

Boswellia Essential Oil: Natural Antioxidant as an Effective Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Agent.

The research aimed to determine the chemical composition, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as the antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and two fungal Candida ATCC strains of a commercial Boswellia essential oil (BEO) containing Boswellia carteri, Boswellia sacra, Boswellia papryfera, and Boswellia frereana. Additionally, molecular docking was carried out to show the molecular dynamics of the compounds identified from the essential oil against three bacterial protein targets and one fungal protein target. The major components identified by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) were represented by α-pinene, followed by limonene. Evaluation of antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) method showed high inhibition comparable to the synthetic antioxidant used as a control. Oxidative stability evaluation showed that BEO has the potential to inhibit primary and secondary oxidation products with almost the same efficacy as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The use of BEO at a concentration of 500 ppm provided the best protection against secondary oxidation during 30 days of storage at room temperature, which was also evident in the peroxide value. Regarding the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the membrane lysis assay and the protein denaturation test revealed that even if the value of protection was lower than the value registered in the case of dexamethasone, the recommendation of using BEO as a protective agent stands, considering the lower side effects. Gram-positive bacteria proved more sensitive, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa presented different sensitivity, with higher MICs (minimal inhibitory concentration). Haemophilus influenzae demonstrated a MIC at 2% but with consecutive inhibitory values in a negative correlation with the increase in concentration, in contrast to E. coli, which demonstrated low inhibitory rates at high concentrations of BEO. The computational tools employed revealed interesting binding energies with compounds having low abundance. The interaction of these compounds and the proteins (tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, DNA gyrase, peptide deformylase, 1,3-β-glucan synthase) predicts hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues, which are reported in the active sites of the proteins. Even so, compounds with low abundance in BEO could render the desired bioactive properties to the overall function of the oil sustained by physical factors such as storage and temperature. Interestingly, the findings from this study demonstrated the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Boswellia essential oil against food-related pathogens, thus making the oil a good candidate for usage in food, feed or food-safety-related products.

Persian Traditional Medicine in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: a Case Report

Background and objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Herbal medicines such as Persicaria bistorta, Pistacia lentiscus, Punica granatum, and Myrtus communis manifesting a variety of pharmacological properties and effects, have been widely implicated in the treatment of UC. We report a case of UC in a 42-year-old male patient. Methods: The patient presented frequent passage of bloody stool, severe cramping, and abdominal pain. This was accompanied by fatigue, excessive mucus, and pus in the stool. He had a 12 years prehistoric diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and received conventional therapy, which yielded no improvement in the symptoms. His regimen was then switched to the Persian traditional treatment employing the “Sahj” formula (including Persicaria bistorta, Pistacia lentiscus, Boswellia frereana, Punica granatum, and Myrtus communis) for 4 months. Results: After 18 days of traditional therapy with “Sahj” tablet, there was a significant improvement in his UC symptoms as evidenced in the increased frequency of his bowel movements (twice daily), absence of bloating, cramping, or abdominal pain and a normal bloodless stool. A colonoscopy report and digital rectal examination 4 months post-treatment, revealed a normal perianal area, cecum, and terminal ileum. Conclusion: The results suggest that the Persian traditional “Sahj” medicine possesses pharmacological properties that render it effective in the treatment of UC and mucosal diseases. However, further clinical trials are needed to evaluate and confirm the efficacy and safety of “Sahj” therapy.

Evaluation of mucoadhesive property and the effect of Boswellia carteri gum on intranasal vaccination against small ruminant morbillivirus infection (PPR)

ABSTRACTA study was conducted to evaluate mucoadhesive property and immunomodulatory effect of phytogenic gums from Boswellia frereana, Boswellia carteri andCommiphora myrrha on intranasal Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccination in goats and sheep in an ex-vivo and in-vivo situations. Plant gums were purified, dried and compressed into 500gm tablets. Modified shear stress measurement technique was used on freshly excised trachea and intestine tissues of goat to measure peak adhesion time. Forty eight animals (24 goats and 24 sheep) were divided into eight groups (of 3 goats and 3 sheep) and immunized intranasally with gum-vaccine combinations in two ratios (1:1, 1:2). Antibody against PPR virus was measured on day 14, 28, 42 and 56 post vaccination using H-based PPR bELISA. The peak adhesion time of the different gums was transient. PPR virus antibodies were detected in all immunized goats and sheep but not in unvaccinated control. The best percentage inhibition was recorded for Boswellia carteri-vaccine combination group at a ratio of 1:1. Administration of Boswellia carteri-PPR vaccine combination through intranasal or subcutaneous route, elicited similar antibody titre, implying that the intranasal route may be used as a non-invasive alternative delivery in PPR vaccination of small ruminants.

Boswellia frereana suppresses HGF-mediated breast cancer cell invasion and migration through inhibition of c-Met signalling

BackgroundHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a pivotal role in breast cancer cell motility, invasion and angiogenesis. These pro-metastatic events are triggered through HGF coupling and activation of the c-Met receptor. Reports have demonstrated that HGF/c-Met signalling plays an important part in breast cancer progression and that their expression is linked to poor patient outcome. In the present study, we investigated the anti-metastatic potential of an extract from traditional Somalian frankincense, Boswellia frereana, on human breast cancer cells. In addition, we also examined the effect of this Boswellia frereana extract (BFE) upon HGF-mediated stimulation of the c-Met receptor.MethodsTwo triple negative human breast cancer cell lines, BT549 and MDA-MB-231, were utilised in the study to examine the effect of BFE on tumour cell proliferation, migration, matrix-adhesion, angiogenesis and invasion. Cell migration was investigated using a Cell IQ time-lapsed motion analysis system; while tumour cell–matrix adhesion, angiogenesis and invasion were assessed through Matrigel-based in vitro assays. Breast cancer cell growth and spheroid formation was examined through proliferation assay and 3D non-scaffold cell culture techniques. Western Blotting was employed to determine the phosphorylation status of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase following BFE treatment and subsequent HGF stimulation.ResultsFollowing HGF treatment, the breast cancer cells displayed a significant increase in migration, matrix adhesion, vessel/tubule formation, invasion and c-Met activation. HGF did not appear to have any bearing on the proliferation rate or spheroid formation of these breast cancer cells. The addition of the BFE extract quenched the HGF-enhanced migratory, angiogenic and invasive potential of these cells. Further study revealed that BFE inhibited c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation within these breast cancer cells.ConclusionsOur findings reveal that BFE was able to significantly suppress the influence of HGF in breast cancer cell motility and invasion in vitro, through the ability of BFE to reduce HGF/c-Met signalling events. Therefore, these results indicate that BFE could play a novel role in the treatment of breast cancer.

In vitro antibacterial activity of three medicinal plants- Boswellia (Luban) species

Objective To study in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of hot water and methanolic extracts of the three medicinal plants- Boswellia (Luban) species. Methods Three selected plants were collected from different localities of Soqotra (Republic of Yemen), Dohfar (Sultanate of Oman) and Republic of Somalia. The plants were dried and extracted with two different solvents (methanol and hot water) to yield six crude extracts. The obtained extracts were tested for their antibacterial activity against eleven different bacterial strains and two fungi using the standard well-diffusion and micro-dilution methods. The following microorganisms were used: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), muti-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (0157 EHEC), Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilus (ATCC 6059, reference strain), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsella pneumonia, MRSA, Corynebacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and two fungus: Candida maltosa and Candida albicans . Results The different extracts possessed different inhibitory activity against different types of bacterial species. The patterns of inhibition varied with the plant extract, the solvent used for extraction and the organisms tested. The antimicrobial activity exhibited by the methanolic extracts of Boswellia sacra from the Suqotra and Dhofar regions was greater than that of Boswellia frereana collected from Somalia. The methanolic extract of the oleo-gum-resin showed higher efficacy to inhibit all the tested bacterial strains than the methanolic extract of frankincense-resin . The Boswellia frereana collected from Somalia showed lower activity compared with the two other Boswellia species. The plant extracts showed bacteriostatic activity at lower concentrations and bactericidal activity at higher concentrations. Neither water nor methanolic extracts showed any activity against the fungi Candida maltosa and Candida albicans . Conclusions It can be concluded that the methanolic extracts of Boswellia (Luban) possess the highest antibacterial activity. Neither water nor methanolic extracts show any activity against Candida maltosa and Candida albicans.

Analysis of frankincense from various Boswellia species with inhibitory activity on human drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry after automated on-line extraction

In our search for herbal remedies with inhibitory activity on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, we identified extracts of the gum-resin of Boswellia carteri, Boswellia frereana, Boswellia sacra and Boswellia serrata as equally potent, non-selective inhibitors of the major drug metabolising CYP enzymes 1A2/2C8/2C9/2C19/2D6 and 3A4. LC/LC/ESI-MS fingerprint analyses of the boswellic acids 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, α-boswellic acid, β-boswellic acid and their 3- O-acylated derivatives were used for the authentication of the commercially obtained frankincense samples. Although the boswellic acids could be identified as moderate to potent inhibitors of the applied CYP enzymes, they are not the major CYP inhibitory principle of frankincense.

A chemical investigation by headspace SPME and GC–MS of volatile and semi-volatile terpenes in various olibanum samples

Six different olibanum samples with certified botanical origin were analyzed by headspace SPME–GC/MS in order to define their mono-, sesqui- and diterpenic composition, as pertinent criteria of identification. Boswellia carteri and Boswellia sacra olibanum have quite similar chemical composition, with isoincensole acetate as the main diterpenic biomarker. Although Boswellia serrata olibanum also exhibits this biomarker, the presence of methylchavicol, methyleugenol and an unidentified oxygenated sesquiterpene distinguishes B. serrata olibanum from the two other species. The characteristic chemical compounds of Boswellia papyrifera are the diterpenic biomarkers incensole and its oxide and acetate derivatives, n-octanol and n-octyl acetate. Boswellia frereana olibanum is devoid of diterpenes of the incensole family but contains a high amount of many dimers of α-phellandrene. The chemical composition of olibanum, which is demonstrated to be different for each Boswellia species allowed the determination of the taxonomic origin of frankincense samples purchased on various markets in East Africa, in the Near East and in Yemen. Moreover, terpenic fingerprints allowed the botanical origin of olibanum used in traditional incense mixtures to be identified. Furthermore, this study gave us the opportunity to assign a botanical origin to an archaeological frankincense sample.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Triterpenoids in Commercial Frankincense

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed: it is a simple and specific method for the determination of fifteen pentacyclic triterpenic compounds (a-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-a-boswellic acid, b-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-b-boswellic acid, a-amyrin, b-amyrin, lupeol, 3-epi-a-amyrin, 3-epi-b-amyrin, 3-epi-lupeol, a-amyrenone, b-amyrenone, lupenone, lupeolic acid and 3-O-acetyl-lupeolic acid) found in the most commonly traded frankincense, usually called ‘‘Eritrean-type’’ olibanum. In addition, the chromatographic comparison between fresh commercial resins and botanically certified ones was described in order to determine the geographical and/or the botanical origins of commercial frankincense. According to previous botanical studies, it appears difficult to make an unequivocal distinction between Boswellia carteri and B. sacra. On the other hand, Boswellia frereana (considered as a source of high-grade frankincense) shows a characteristic chromatogram and could be unambiguously distinguished from the other producing species of commercial frankincense. In a chemical point of view, Boswellia carteri and B. sacra were more especially characterized by the presence of lupeolic acid, boswellic acids and their respective O-acetyl derivatives, whereas 3-epi-lupeol was the major compound in B. frereana methanolic extracts.

Comparison of Volatile Compounds from Olibanum from Various Countries

The composition of olibanum oil produced by simultaneous distillation and extraction from material produced in Oman, Turkey and Israel was examined by GC and GC/MS. The main constituent of the Omani oil was α-pinene (56.6%), whereas the Turkish and Israeli oils were rich in octyl acetate (68.5% and 28.5%) and octanol (11.1% and 10.1%), respectively. From these results it was concluded that the taxonomic origin of Omani oil was Boswellia frereana Birdwood, while those of Turkish and Israeli origin were B. carteri Birdwood. The antimicrobial activity of Omani olibanum was examined