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Anti-inflammatory Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases pp 291–327Cite as

Boswellic Acids and Their Role in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 928))

Abstract

Boswellic acids, which are pentacyclic triterpenes belong to the active pharmacological compounds of the oleogum resin of different Boswellia species. In the resin, more than 12 different boswellic acids have been identified but only KBA and AKBA received significant pharmacological interest. Biological Activity: In an extract of the resin of Boswellia species multiple factors are responsible for the final outcome of a therapeutic effect, be it synergistic or antagonistic. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory actions of BAs are caused by different mechanisms of action. They include inhibition of leukotriene synthesis and to a less extend prostaglandin synthesis. Furthermore inhibition of the complement system at the level of conversion of C3 into C3a and C3b. A major target of BAs is the immune system. Here, BEs as well as BAs including KBA and AKBA, have been shown to decrease production of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α which finally are directed to destroy tissues such as cartilage, insulin producing cells, bronchial, intestinal and other tissues. NFĸB is considered to be the target of AKBA. The complex actions of BEs and BAs in inflamed areas may be completed by some effects that are localized behind the inflammatory process as such tissue destruction. In this case, in vitro- and animal studies have shown that BAs and BEs suppress proteolytic activity of cathepsin G, human leucocyte elastase, formation of oxygen radicals and lysosomal enzymes. Pharmacokinetics: Whereas KBA is absorbed reaching blood levels being close to in vitro IC50, AKBA which is more active in in vitro studies than KBA, but undergoes much less absorption than KBA. However, absorption of both is increased more than twice when taken together with a high-fat meal.Clinical Studies There are a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases which respond to treatment with extracts from the resin of Boswellia species. Though, the number of cases is small in related clinical studies, their results are convincing and supported by the preclinical data. These studies include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, collagenous colitis, Crohn’s disease and bronchial asthma. It can not be expected that there is cure from these diseases but at least improvement of symptoms in about 60–70 % of the cases. Side Effects The number and severity of side effects is extremely low. The most reported complaints are gastrointestinal symptoms. Allergic reactions are rare. And most authors report, that treatment with BEs is well tolerated and the registered side effects in BE- and placebo groups are similar.

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Abbreviations

AA:

Arachidonic Acid

ABA:

Acetyl-boswellic acid

Ac-OH-LA:

3α-Acetoxy-28-hydroxylup-20 (29)

AKBA:

Acetyl-11-keto-β-Boswellic acid

α-BA:

α-Boswellic acid

β-BA:

β-Boswellic acid

BA:

Boswellic acid

BE:

Boswellic extract

BS:

Boswellia serrata

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

CD4:

CD4 lymphocytes

CD8:

CD8 lymphocytes

CIA:

Collagen-induced arthritis

COX:

Cyclooxygenase

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CDAI:

Crohn’s Disease Activity Index

ConA:

Concavalin A

ESR:

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

FCV:

Forced vital capacity

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume

GSH:

Reduced glutathione

Hb:

Hemoglobin

HETE:

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

12-HHT:

12-Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid

HLE:

Human Leucozyte Elastase

IA2-A:

Tyrosinephosphatase antibody

IFN-γ:

Interferon-γ

IgG:

Immunoglobulin G

IgM:

Immunoglobulin M

IL:

Interleukin

IMG:

Immune globulin

KBA:

11-Keto-β-Boswellic acid

LA:

Lupenoic acid

LADA:

Late onset autoimmune diabetes of the adult

5-LO:

5-Lipoxigenase

12-LO:

12-Lipoxigenase

LPO:

Lipid peroxidase

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

LTB4 :

Leukotriene B

LTC4 :

Leukotriene C4

LTD4 :

Leukotriene D4

LTE4 :

Leukotriene E4

MIC:

Minimal inhibitory concentration

f-MLP:

n-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine

MLD-STZ:

Multiple low-dose streptozotocin

NADPH:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrate

NFκB:

Nuclear transcription factor κB

NK cells:

Natural killer cells

NO:

Nitrogen monoxide

NSAID:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

OA:

Osteoarthritis

PEFR:

Peak expiratory flow rate

PGE2 :

Prostaglandin E2

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells

PEFR:

Peak expiratory flow rate

PGE1 :

Prostaglandin E1

PHA:

Phytohemagglutinin

PMA:

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate

PMN:

Polymorph mononuclear neutrophil leucocyte

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

SG:

Salai guggal

SOD:

Superoxid dismutase

STZ:

Streptozotocin

TA:

Tirucallic acid

Th1 :

Th1 lymphocytes

Th2 :

Th2 lymphocytes

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

t1/2:

Half-life

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany

    H. P. T. Ammon

  2. Im Kleeacker 30, 72072, Tuebingen, Germany

    H. P. T. Ammon

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  1. Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Subash Chandra Gupta

  2. MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA

    Sahdeo Prasad

  3. Anti-Inflammation Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA

    Bharat B. Aggarwal

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Ammon, H.P.T. (2016). Boswellic Acids and Their Role in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. In: Gupta, S., Prasad, S., Aggarwal, B. (eds) Anti-inflammatory Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 928. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_13

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