BOSWELLIC ACIDS AS HERBAL THERAPEUTICS: MECHANISMS, CLINICAL POTENTIAL AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Authors

  • KRITIKA BADOLA Department of Pharmaceutics, Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1804-4097
  • YOGITA TYAGI Department of Pharmaceutics, Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9317-3474

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2026v19i3.57737

Keywords:

Boswellic acid, Boswellia serrata, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid.

Abstract

Boswellic acids (BAs), the bioactive components extracted from Boswellia serrata resins, have garnered considerable interest for their broad range of pharmaceutical applications. However, there have been gaps in clinical studies and its therapeutic effect. This review examines BA’s pharmacological processes and therapeutic effects with particular emphasis on mechanistic targets. A comprehensive analysis of preclinical and clinical studies published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted, focusing on key signaling pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and disease progression. The findings indicate that BAs exert their effects primarily through modulation of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related pathways, notably 5-lipoxygenase, nuclear factor kappa B, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Among various derivatives, Acetyl-11-keto-β-BA, 11-keto-beta- BA demonstrates enhanced biological activity. Preclinical and clinical results highlight the therapeutic effects of BA in managing diseases, including cancers, metabolic disorders, skin diseases like psoriasis, and neurological conditions. The multitargeted pharmacological profile of BA, along with its safety data, suggests its potential use in the management of disorders. Nonetheless, specific gaps such as dosing standardization, long-term safety, large scale trials, remain essential to confirm efficacy and safety in broader populations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Hasson SS, Al-Balush MS, Sallam TA, Idris MA, Habbal O, Al- Jabri AA. In vitro antibacterial activity of three medicinal plants- Boswellia (Luban) species. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011;1:178-82.

2. Brendler T, Gruenwald J. Frankincense (Boswellia serrata): Ecological, traditional and contemporary uses. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;218:65-81.

3. Shah BA, Qazi GN, Taneja SC. Boswellic acids: A group of medicinally important compounds. Nat Prod Rep. 2009;26(1):72-89. doi: 10.1039/ B809437N, PMID 19374123

4. Breene K. The Mystery of Oman Frankincense; 2012. Available from: https://www.mermadearts.com/article_info. php?articles_id=12 [Last accessed on 2017 Sep 15].

5. Siddiqui MZ. Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: An overview. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011;73(3):255-61. doi: 10.4103/0250- 474X.93507, PMID 22457547

6. De Rapper S, Van Vuuren SF, Kamatou GP, Viljoen AM, Dagne E. The additive and synergistic antimicrobial effects of select frankincense and myrrh oils--a combination from the pharaonic pharmacopoeia. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2012;54(4):352-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2012.03216.x, PMID 22288378

7. Makare N, Bodhankar S, Rangari V. Immunomodulatory activity of alcoholic extract of Mangifera indica L. In mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;78(2-3):133-7. doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00326-9, PMID 11694357

8. Gokaraju. Analogs of 3-O-Acetyl-11-Keto--Boswellic Acid, United States Patent 7625947; 2004.

9. Zhang Y, Ning Z, Lu C, Zhao S, Wang J, Liu B, et al. Triterpenoid resinous metabolites from the genus Boswellia: Pharmacological activities and potential species-identifying properties. Chem Cent J. 2013;7(1):153. doi: 10.1186/1752-153X-7-153, PMID 24028654

10. Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Rosenberg L, Anderson TE, Mitchell AA. Recent patterns of medication use in the ambulatory adult population of the United States: The Slone survey. JAMA. 2002;162(8):945-54.

11. Moussaieff A, Mechoulam R. Boswellia resin: From religious ceremonies to medical uses; a review of in-vitro, in-vivo and clinical trials. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2009;61(10):1281-93. doi: 10.1211/ jpp/61.10.0003, PMID 19814859

12. Khan MA, Ali R, Parveen R, Najmi AK, Ahmad S. Pharmacological update on Boswellic acids: Mechanisms, bioavailability, and clinical limitations. Phytother Res. 2020;34(8):1868-83.

13. Cui N, Li MJ, Wang YW, Meng Q, Shi YJ, Ding Y. Boswellic acids: A review on its pharmacological properties, molecular mechanism and bioavailability. Tradit Med Res. 2024;9(10):60. doi: 10.53388/ TMR20240128002

14. Ammon HP. Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(11):862-7. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.03.003, PMID 20696559

15. Safayhi H, Mack T, Sabieraj J, Anazodo MI, Subramanian LR, Ammon HP. Boswellic acids: Novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1992;261(3):1143-6. doi: 10.1016/S0022-3565(25)11130-0, PMID 1602379

16. Peng C, Yang Y, Wang Y, Gong B, Sun X, Yang X. From bench to bedside, Boswellic acids in anti-inflammatory therapy - mechanistic insights, bioavailability challenges, and optimization approaches. Front Pharmacol. 2025;16:1692443. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1692443, PMID 41341032

17. Sameni S, Gholizadeh Khalsara M, Sameni HR. Acetyl-11-keto- β-boswellic acid ameliorates histopathological and oxidative stress brain disorders in an experimental demyelination model. J Microbiota. 2024;1(3):e153658. doi: 10.5812/jmb-153658

18. Hostanska K, Daum G, Saller R. Cytostatic and apoptosis-inducing activity of boswellic acids toward malignant cell lines in vitro. Anticancer Res. 2002;22(5):2853-62. PMID 12530009

19. Poeckel D, Poeckel D, Werz O. Boswellic acids: Biological actions and molecular targets. Curr Med Chem. 2006;13(28):3359-69. doi: 10.2174/092986706779010333, PMID 17168710

20. Takada Y, Aggarwal BB. Betulinic acid suppresses carcinogen-induced NF-kappa B activation through inhibition of I kappa B alpha kinase and p65 phosphorylation: Abrogation of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. J Immunol. 2003;171(6):3278-86.

21. Zhang P, Jiang H. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid confers protection in DSS-induced colitis via the JNK-p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Adv Biol (Weinh). 2023;7:e2200247.

22. Syrovets T, Büchele B, Laumonnier Y, et al. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) markedly inhibits the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2, suppressing MAPK-mediated transcriptional activation ofinflammatory genes. Front Pharmacol. 2025;16:1692443.

23. AlTamimi JZ, AlFaris NA, Alshammari GM, Alagal RI, Aljabryn DH, Yahya MA. The protective effect of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid against diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats entails activation of AMPK. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1660. doi: 10.3390/nu15071660, PMID 37049501

24. Syrovets T, Büchele B, Krauss C, Laumonnier Y, Simmet T. Acetyl-boswellic acids inhibit lipopolysaccharide-mediated TNF-alpha induction in monocytes by direct interaction with IκB kinases. J Immunol. 2005;174(1):498-506. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.1.498, PMID 15611276

25. Zhao W, Entman ML, Henderson SC, Chen B, Sun Y, Li G, et al. Boswellic acid inhibits inflammatory response by blocking NF-κB activation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2009;297(2):H857-65.

26. Zhang P, Jiang H. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid confers protection in DSS-induced colitis via the JNK-p38 MAPK and NF-κBSignaling pathways. Chem Biol Drug Des. 2023;101(1):64-73.

27. Li W, Liu J, Fu W, Zheng X, Ren L, Liu S, et al. 3-O-acetyl-11-keto- β-boswellic acid exerts anti-tumor effects in glioblastoma by arresting cell cycle at G2/M phase. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2018;37(1):132. doi: 10.1186/s13046-018-0805-4, PMID 29970196

28. Natarajan SR, Veeraraghvan VP, Jayaraman S, Marrapodi MM, Ronsivalle V, Cicciù M, et al. Boswellic acid exerts anti-tumor effect in oral squamous cell carcinoma by inhibiting PI3K/AKT1 mediated signaling pathway. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025;306:116196.

29. Poeckel D, Werz O. Boswellic acids: Biological actions and molecular targets. Curr Med Chem. 2006;13(28):3359-69. doi: 10.2174/092986706779010333, PMID 17168710

30. Sun MX, He XP, Huang PY, Qi Q, Sun WH, Liu GS, et al. Acetyl- 11-keto-β-boswellic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through the PTEN/Akt/COX-2 signaling pathway. World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(38):5822-35.

31. Ammon HP. Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases. Planta Med. 2006;72(12):1100-16. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-947227, PMID 17024588

32. Banno N, Akihisa T, Yasukawa K, Tokuda H, Tabata K, Nakamura Y, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of the triterpene acids from the resin of Boswellia carteri. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;107(2):249-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.006, PMID 16621377

33. Yu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, Zeng L, Yang K, Li J. Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6, PMID 32680575

34. Raja AF, Ali F, Khan IA, Shawl AS, Arora DS. Acetyl-11-keto-β- boswellic acid (AKBA); Targeting oral cavity pathogens. BMC Res Notes. 2011;4:406. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-406, PMID 21992439

35. Jantan I, Ahmad W, Bukhari SN. Therapeutic potential of Boswellia serrata in arthritis management: Mechanistic insights into COX- 2, 5-LOX, and NF-κB modulation. Inflammopharmacology. 2024;32(2):305-19.

36. Umar S, Umar K, Sarwar AH, Khan A, Ahmad N, Ahmad S, et al. Boswellia serrata extract attenuates inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in collagen induced arthritis. Phytomedicine. 2014;21(6):847-56. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.02.001, PMID 24667331

37. Roy NK, Deka A, Bordoloi D, Mishra S, Kumar AP, Sethi G, et al. The potential role of boswellic acids in cancer prevention and treatment. Cancer Lett. 2016;377(1):74-86. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.04.017, PMID 27091399

38. Saraswati S, Agrawal SS. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis and suppresses angiogenesis in human breast cancer cells. Mol Cell Biochem. 2012;364(1-2):1-12.

39. Jamshidi-Adegani F, Ghaemi S, Al-Hashmi S, Vakilian S, Al-Kindi J, Rehman NU, et al. Comparative study of the cytotoxicity, apoptotic, and epigenetic effects of boswellic acid derivatives on breast cancer. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):19979. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24229-y, PMID 36411309

40. Chashoo G, Singh SK, Mondhe DM, Sharma PR, Hamid A, Saxena A, et al. 11-Keto-α-boswellic acid, a novel triterpenoid from Boswellia spp. With chemotaxonomic potential and antitumor activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells. Molecules. 2025;26(2):366.

41. Chashoo G, Singh SK, Mondhe DM, Sharma PR, Hamid A, Saxena A, et al. In vitro antiproliferative activity of boswellic acids against human pancreatic cancer cell lines Frankincense: A potential phytotherapeutic agent in cancer. Plant Sci Today. 2025;145-56.

42. Snima KS, Nair RS, Nair SV, Kamath CR, Lakshmanan VK. Combination of anti-diabetic drug metformin and boswellic acid nanoparticles: A novel strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2015;11(1):93-104. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2015.1877, PMID 26301303

43. Liu Y, Chen D, Shang Y, Han Q. AKBA reduces pancreatic tumor growth and angiogenesis in a xenograft model via inhibition of NF-κB and VEGF. Phytother Res. 2015;29(5):714-20.

44. Park B, Prasad S, Yadav V, Sung B, Aggarwal BB. Boswellic acid suppresses growth and metastasis of human pancreatic tumors in an orthotopic nude mouse model through modulation of multiple targets. PLOS One. 2012;7(8):e26943.

45. Diah FV, Mazfufah NF, Arozal W, Louisa M, Wanandi SI, Arumugam S, et al. Additive cytotoxic effect of cisplatin and Andrographis paniculata extract through the modulation of apoptotic markers, cyclin-D and VEGF expressions in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line. Int J Appl Pharm. 2025;17(1):234-41. doi: 10.22159/ijap.2025v17i1.52654

46. Toden S, Okugawa Y, Buhrmann C, Nattamai D, Anguiano E, Baldwin N, et al. Novel evidence for curcumin and boswellic acid-induced chemoprevention through regulation of miR-34a and miR-27a in colorectal cancer. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2015;8(5):431-43. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-14-0354, PMID 25712055

47. Carothers AM, Davids JS, Damas BC, Bertagnolli MM. Persistent cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition downregulates NF-{kappa}B, resulting in chronic intestinal inflammation in the min/+ mouse model of colon tumorigenesis. Cancer Res. 2010 Jun 1;70(11):4433-42. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-4289, PMID 20484034

48. Syrovets T, Gschwend JE, Büchele B, Laumonnier Y, Zugmaier W, Genze F, et al. Inhibition of IkappaB kinase activity by acetyl-boswellic acids promotes apoptosis in androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. J Biol Chem. 2005 Feb 18;280(7):6170-80. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M409477200, PMID 15576374

49. Pang X, Yi Z, Zhang X, Sung B, Qu W, Lian X, et al. Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid inhibits prostate tumor growth by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated angiogenesis. Cancer Res. 2009 Jul 15;69(14):5893-900. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472. CAN-09-0755, PMID 19567671

50. Chu F, Chen L, Guan Q, Chen Z, Ji Q, Ma Y, et al. Global burden of prostate cancer: Age-period-cohort analysis from 1990 to 2021 and projections until 2040. World J Surg Oncol. 2025;23(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s12957-025-03733-1, PMID 40114188

51. Huang G, Yang J, Zhang L, Cao L, Zhang M, Niu X, et al. Inhibitory effect of 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid on non-small cell lung cancer H446 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2018 Sep 18;503(4):2202- 5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.137, PMID 29953860

52. Lv M, Shao S, Zhang Q, Zhuang X, Qiao T. Acetyl-11-Keto-β- Boswellic acid exerts the anti-cancer effects via cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and autophagy suppression in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Onco Targets Ther. 2020 Jan 23;13:733-44. doi: 10.2147/ OTT.S236346, PMID 32158225

53. Liu JJ, Nilsson A, Oredsson S, Badmaev V, Duan RD. Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway. Int J Mol Med. 2002;10(4):501-5. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.10.4.501, PMID 12239601

54. Kumar R, Sharma S, Singh D. Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity of Boswelliaglabra Roxb. Leaves and roots in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Int J Curr Res. 2015;7(8):19384-9.

55. Karthik MD, Sarala A, Kumar SK, Dharani SK, Dinesh S, Dinesh K, et al. A comprehensive review on anti-diabetic activity. Int J Pharm Res Appl. 2023;8(4):2515-20.

56. Singh IM, Adebisi A, Abubakar A, Abubakar K, Tijjani R, Giaze. Analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) stem bark. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2018;10(4):139. doi: 10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i4.26156

57. Billiet L, Baugé E, Rouis M. Antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic effects of the NF-kappaB inhibitor acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in LPS-challenged apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE/-) mice. J Lipid Res. 2008;49(5):1270-8.

58. Shang P, Liu W, Liu T, Zhang Y, Mu F, Zhu Z, et al. Acetyl-11-Keto- β-Boswellic acid attenuates prooxidant and profibrotic mechanisms involving transforming growth factor-β1, and improves vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Sci Rep. 2016;6:39809. doi: 10.1038/srep39809, PMID 2800900359. Amer SA, Gouda A, Saleh GK, Nassar AH, Abdel-Warith AA, Younis EM, et al. Dietary frankincense (Boswellia serrata) oil modulates the growth, intestinal morphology, the fatty acid composition of breast muscle, immune status, and immunoexpression of CD3 and CD20 in broiler chickens. Animals (Basel). 2023;13(6):971. doi: 10.3390/ani13060971, PMID 36978513

60. Mahdian D, Abbaszadeh-Goudarzi K, Raoofi A, Dadashizadeh G, Abroudi M, Zarepour E, et al. Effect of Boswellia species on the metabolic syndrome: A review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2020 Nov;23(11):1374-81. doi: 10.22038/ijbms.2020.42115.9957, PMID 33235693

61. Domiaty D, Althagafi A, Alamoudi M, Al-Nahary H, Bakrshoom SF. Hypoglycemic and protective effects of Boswelliacarterii extract against functions and structures of thyroid gland in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. Med Sci. 2021;25(114):2077-87.

62. Wang MX, Zhao JX, Meng YJ, Di TT, Xu XL, Xie XJ, et al. Acetyl-11- keto-β-boswellic acid inhibits the secretion of cytokines by dendritic cells via the TLR7/8 pathway in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model and in vitro. Life Sci. 2018;207:90-104. doi: 10.1016/j. lfs.2018.05.044, PMID 29859222

63. Priya S, Desai VM, Singh H, Taliyan R, Singhvi G. Enhancing 3-acetyl- 11-keto-β-boswellic acid skin permeation via nanostructured lipid carriers: Integrating quality by design principles for risk estimation and optimization. Nanoscale Adv. 2025;7(22):7285-305. doi: 10.1039/ D5NA00445D, PMID 41050959

64. Gerbeth K, Hüsch J, Fricker G, Werz O, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Abdel- Tawab M. In vitro metabolism, permeation, and brain availability of boswellic acids. Drugs R D. 2013;13(3):203-13.

65. Ameen AM, Elkazaz AY, Mohammad HMF, Barakat BM. Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity of boswellic acids in rotenone-induced parkinsonian rats. Neurochem Res. 2017;42(6):1731- 41.

66. Khaafi F, Javadi B. Molecular targets underlying the neuroprotective effects of boswellic acid: A systematic review. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2023;23(19):1912-25. doi: 10.2174/1389557523666230330113611, PMID 36998129

67. Gupta I, Gupta V, Parihar A, Gupta S, Lüdtke R, Safayhi H, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. Eur J Med Res. 1998;3(11):511-4. PMID 9810030

68. Zhimin L, Xiaoyun L, Lili S, Haifeng L, Qinghua X, Zhehui L. Boswellic acid attenuates asthma phenotypes by downregulation of GATA3 via pSTAT6 inhibition in a murine model of asthma. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015;8(1):236-43.

69. Singh S, Khajuria A, Taneja SC, Johri RK, Singh J, Qazi GN. Boswellic acids: A leukotriene inhibitor also effective through topical application in inflammatory disorders. Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6-7):400-7. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2007.11.019, PMID 18222672

70. Medzhitov R. Origin and physiological roles of inflammation. Nature. 2008;454(7203):428-35. doi: 10.1038/nature07201, PMID 18650913

71. Gerhardt H, Seifert F, Buvari P, Vogelsang H, Repges R. Therapy of active chronic ulcerative colitis with Boswellia serrata extract H15. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Z Gastroenterol. 2001;39(1):11-7. doi: 10.1055/s-2001-10708, PMID 11215357

72. El-Bakly WM, El-Nekeety AA, Abdel-Wahhab MA. Boswellic acid coated zinc nanoparticles attenuate inflammation in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Int Immunopharmacol. 2023;124:109100.

73. Sonje SS, Raut DN, Chaudhari SR, Chavan MJ. Effect of Boswellia serrata extract microcapsules against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Nat Prod J. 2014;6(4):326-34.

74. Parihar A, Iliopoulos D. Boswellia serrata and other herbal therapies for inflammatory bowel disease: A review of clinical and preclinical evidence. Inflammopharmacology. 2022;30(5):1493-507.

75. Borrelli F, Capasso R, Aviello G, Pittler MH, Izzo AA. Effectiveness and safety of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for the treatment of osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2006;20(7):568-77.

76. Mohsenzadeh A, Karimifar M, Soltani R, Hajhashemi V. Evaluation of the effectiveness of topical oily solution containing frankincense extract in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Res Notes. 2023;16(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06291-5, PMID 36869332

77. Pandey R, Poddar MK. Antioxidant and anti-arthritic efficacy of Boswellia serrata resin extract in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 2010;42(6):360-5.c.

78. Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Lawrence RM, Nallathambi R, Thiyagarajan R, Mundkur LA. Boswellia serrata extract containing 30% 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid attenuates inflammatory mediators and preserves extracellular matrix in collagen-induced arthritis in rats. J Inflamm (Lond). 2021;18:26.

79. Valente IV, Garcia D, Abbott A, Spruill L, Siegel J, Forcucci J, et al. The anti-proliferative effects of a frankincense extract in a window of opportunity Phase Ia clinical trial for patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024;204(3):521-30. doi: 10.1007/s10549-023- 07215-4, PMID 38194131

80. Bie F, Zhang G, Yan X, Ma X, Zhan S, Qiu Y, et al. β-boswellic acid suppresses breast precancerous lesions via GLUT1 targeting-mediated glycolysis inhibition and AMPK pathway activation. Front Oncol. 2022;12:896904. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.896904, PMID 35712503

81. Liu JJ, Huang B, Hooi SC. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid inhibits cellular proliferation through a p21-dependent pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2006;148(5):569-79.

82. Sailo BL, Monisha J, Jaiswal A, Prakash J, Roy NK, Thakur KK, et al. Molecular alterations involved in pancreatic cancer chemoresistance and chemosensitization strategies. In: Cancer Cell Chemoresistance and Chemosensitization. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing; 2018. p. 557-81c. doi: 10.1142/9789813208575_0018

83. Monisha J, Jaiswal A, Banik K, Choudhary H, Singh AK, Bordoloi D, et al. Cancer cell chemoresistance: A prime obstacle in cancer therapy. In: Cancer Cell Chemoresistance and Chemosensitization. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing; 2018. p. 15-49. doi: 10.1142/9789813208575_0002

84. Wang D, Ge S, Bai J, Song Y. Boswellic acid exerts potent anticancer effects in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells mediated via induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, cell migration inhibition and inhibition of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. J BUON. 2018;23(2):340-5. PMID 29745074

85. Ale-Ahmad A, Kazemi S, Daraei A, Sepidarkish M, Moghadamnia AA, Parsian H, et al. pH-sensitive nanoformulation of acetyl-11-keto- β-boswellic acid (AKBA) as a potential antiproliferative agent in colon adenocarcinoma: In vitro and in vivo evaluation. Cancer Nanotechnol. 2024;15:49.

86. Lu M, Xia L, Hua H, Jing Y. Acetyl-keto-β-boswellic acid induces apoptosis through a death receptor 5-mediated pathway in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2008;68(4):1180-6. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472. CAN-07-2978, PMID 18281494.

87. Frank MB, Yang Q, Osban J, Azzarello JT, Saban MR, Saban R, et al. Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009;9(1):6. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-9-6

88. Robertson RP. Chronic oxidative stress as a central mechanism for glucose toxicity in pancreatic islet beta cells in diabetes. J Biol Chem. 2004;279(41):42351-4. doi: 10.1074/jbc.R400019200, PMID 15258147

89. Al-Haddad R, Karnib N, Assaad RA, Bilen Y, Emmanuel N, Ghanem A, et al. Epigenetic changes in diabetes. Neurosci Lett. 2016;625:64-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.04.046, PMID 27130819

90. Kavitha JV, Rosario JF, Chandran J, Anbu P, Bakkiyanathan. Hypoglycemic and other related e ECTS of Boswellia glabra in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007;51(1):29-39. PMID 17877290

91. Verma N, Meena AS, Majumdar S, Paul J, Verma A. Protective effect of Boswellia serrata gum resin on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Phytomedicine. 2011;18(13):1130-6.

92. Gerbeth K, Werz O, Abdel-Tawab M. Activation of PPAR-γ by boswellic acids promotes glucose uptake in vitro. Fitoterapia. 2013;87:7-12.

93. Shehata AM, Quintanilla-Fend L, Bettio S, Jauch J, Scior T, Scherbaum WA, et al. 11-keto-β-boswellic acids prevent development of autoimmune reactions, insulitis and reduce hyperglycemia during induction of multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) diabetes in mice. Horm Metab Res. 2015;47:463-9.

94. Cuaz-Pérolin C, Billiet L, Baugé E, Copin C, Scott-Algara D, Genze F, et al. Antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic effects of the NF-ΚappaB inhibitor acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in LPS-challenged ApoE- /- mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2008;28(2):272-7. doi: 10.1161/ ATVBAHA.107.155916

95. Zhang Y, Duan RD. Boswellic acid inhibits expression of acid sphingomyelinase in intestinal cells. Lipids Health Dis. 2009;8:51. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-8-51, PMID 19951413

96. Elbaz AA, Amer SA, Gouda A, Saleh GK, Nassar AH, Abdel-Warith AA, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata oil on thyroid hormones and productivity in broilers. Animals. 2023;13(6):971.

97. Mohammadpour AH, Emami SA, Ghorani V, Rahbardar MG, Marjan Razavi BB, Hosseinzadeh H, et al. Herbal combination improves hypothyroidism-induced memory deficit via antioxidant mechanisms. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2020;12(3):293-300.

98. Lou X, Xu Z, Bai J, Zhao X, Cui L, Li Q, et al. Identification and pre-clinical investigation of 3-O-cyclohexanecarbonyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid as a drug for external use to treat psoriasis. Br J Pharmacol. 2023;181:1290-07.

99. Ameen AM, Elkazaz AY, Mohammad HM, Barakat BM. Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity of boswellic acids in rotenone parkinsonian rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017;95(7):819-29. doi: 10.1139/cjpp-2016-0158, PMID 28249117

100. Sayed AS, Gomaa IE, Bader M, El Sayed NS. Role of 3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in counteracting LPS-induced neuroinflammation via modulation of miRNA-155. Mol Neurobiol. 2018;55(7):5798-808. doi: 10.1007/s12035-017-0801-2, PMID 29079998

Published

07-03-2026

How to Cite

KRITIKA BADOLA, and YOGITA TYAGI. “BOSWELLIC ACIDS AS HERBAL THERAPEUTICS: MECHANISMS, CLINICAL POTENTIAL AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS”. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, vol. 19, no. 3, Mar. 2026, pp. 25-33, doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2026v19i3.57737.

Issue

Section

Review Article(s)