• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2001

The possible mechanism of the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of Boswellia carterri water extract were studied in HL-60 human leukemia cells. The cytotoxicity of HL-60 cells after the treatment of Boswellia carterii water extract showed dose- and time-dependent manner. The apoptotic effect of 300 $\mu$g/ml Boswellia carterii water extract was demonstrated by DNA laddering. The activity of caspase 3-1ike protease was markedly increased in HL-60 cells treated with Boswellia carterii water extract. Furthermore, the level of Bcl-2 was time-dependently reduced, whereas Bax protein level was enhanced by Boswellia carterii water extract treatment. In conclusion, our results suggest that apoptotic effect of Boswellia carterii water extract may partly mediated through activations of caspase-3 activity and Bax expression, and inhibition of Bcl-2 expression.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2018

Recently, many researches regarding the natural products which alternate with chemical products have been done. Among them, boswellia is well known for effect on anti-oxidative effect and inflammation. The aim was the effect boswellia of formalin- induced orofacial and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on experimental animals was investigated. Experiments were carried out using subcutaneous (SC) pain model and TMJ pain model that were induced by the injection of 5% formalin into the right vibrissa pad (SC, $50{\mu}L$) or TMJ ($30{\mu}L$) of rats, respectively. In both models, formalin (5%), formalin after distilled water (vehicle), formalin after boswellia extract (p.o., concentrations of 15, 30 mg/kg) (n=6). The number of scratching on the injected region was scored during the 9 successive periods of 5 min intervals following injection of formalin. Oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) reduced formalin-induced SC orofacial pain behavioral responses. SC orofacial pain behavioral responses was significantly reduced at 20~35 min. In the experimental group injected into temporomandibular joints, the pain response was significantly reduced by $276.2{\pm}8.20$ and $78.3{\pm}4.7$ after oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) at $398.3{\pm}24.8$ times. As a result of the passage of time, the oral administration of boswellia showed a significant effect of reducing the temporomandibular joint pain 30 minutes after the injection of formalin. This study confirmed that oral administration of boswellia modulated the pain behavior in both models. In conclusion, boswellia extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for orofacial pain.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

Xerostomia due to the subjective dry mouth feeling that may occur even when the salivary gland function reduction is not objectively confirmed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not dry mouth is more sensitive to pain in the oral facial area, which is the main cause of dental problems. The natural products used in this study are Boswellia serrata and seabuckthorn, Both natural substances are known as a representative antioxidant substance rich in vitamins. 4-DAMP was injected into the peritoneal cavity of the experimental animals, and 5% formalin was injected into the face to observe the change of inflammatory pain. Boswellia (15, 30 mg/kg) or seabuckthorn (150, 30 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg) after formalin infusion, As a result, pain response was significantly reduced in the drug-infused group compared to the formalin-infused group (*P<0.05). It was also found that the two drugs were more effective when administered together. Based on these results, we confirm that natural extract can be an alternative treatment modality for the control of oral facial inflammatory pain.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.603-608
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• 2006

In activated macrophage, large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), resulting in acute or chronic inflammatory disorders. In Raw 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic inflammation, water extracts from the fruit of Chaenomeles sinensis, the root of Polygonum cuspidatum and Boswellia carterii inhibited the LPS-induced NO production in a parallel dose-dependent manner. To investigate the mechanism by which those extracts inhibits NO production, we examined the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in both mRNA and protein levels. We observed a significant change in the iNOS expression between LPS alone and LPS plus those extracts-treated cells. However, water extracts from Chaenomeles sinensis, Polygonum cuspidatum and Boswellia carterii did not inhibit COX-2 expression which was induced by LPS treatment in Raw 264.7 cells. These data suggest that water extracts from Chaenomeles sinensis, Polygonum cuspidatum and Boswellia carterii can modulate anti-inflammatory immune response, which may be in part associated with the regulation of NO synthesis through the regulation of iNOS expression in mouse macrophage cells.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.108-111
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• 2006

The effect of Kundur (oleo-gum resin of Boswellia serrata) and its fractions viz: methanol soluble (MS) and methanol insoluble (MI) were investigated on mercuric chloride induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The animals of group I and II were administered with 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1,000 mg/kg, p.o.) and the animals of groups III, IV and V were administered with Kundur (1,000 mg/kg, p.o.), MS (650 mg/kg, p.o.) and MI (350 mg/kg, p.o.) respectively for ten days. On 10th day a single dose of the mercuric chloride (3 mg/kg, 5.c.) was also administered to all groups except the group I which received only 1% CMC (10 ml/kg, p.o.). After two days of mercuric chloride administration the blood samples of each animal were collected and analyzed for blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentration. Rats fed with Kundur and MI fraction showed a significant prevention in the rise of serum markers while MS failed to prevent the rise of these serum makers. These results suggest that Kundur and MI fraction may have potential to reduce the nephrotoxicity in rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2022

In this study, extracts of Boswellia serrata gum resin, Curcuma longa rhizome, and Terminalia chebula fruit were combined in different ratios, and their anti-osteoarthritis effects were compared to determine which combination had the best synergistic effect. B. serrata, C. longa, and T. chebula extracts in a 2:1:2 ratio exhibited higher antioxidative activity in scavenging DPPH radicals than did the individual extracts alone or the other extract combinations. Additionally, the 2:1:2 combination significantly improved the levels of enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant-related proteins. Moreover, this same combination ratio decreased the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP13 in interleukin-1β-stimulated human articular chondrocytes (HCHs) and increased those of aggrecan and collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1). Analysis of the underlying mechanisms revealed that the 2:1:2 combination significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Therefore, the 2:1:2 combination of these three plant extracts has the best potential for use as an effective dietary supplement for improving joint health compared with the individual extracts and their other combination ratios.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.309-324
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the beneficial effects of an ethanol extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin (FJH-UBS) in osteoporosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and RAW 264.7 osteoclastic cells were treated with FJH-UBS. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization, collagen synthesis, osteocalcin content, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and Osterix expression were measured in MC3T3-E1 cells. The actin ring structures, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, and the nuclear factor of activator T-cells, cytoplasm 1 (NFATc1) expression were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. Ovariectomized ICR mice were orally administered FJH-UBS for eight weeks. The bone mineral density (BMD) and the serum levels of osteocalcin, procollagen 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), osteoprotegerin, and TRAP 5b were analyzed. RESULTS: FJH-UBS increased the ALP activity, collagen, osteocalcin, mineralization, and RUNX2 and osterix expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, whereas it decreased the TRAP activity, actin ring structures, and NFATc1 expression in RAW 264.7 osteoclastic cells. In ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis mice, FJH-UBS positively restored all of the changes in the bone metabolism biomarkers (BMD, osteocalcin, P1NP, osteoprotegerin, and TRAP 5b) caused by the ovariectomy. CONCLUSION: FJH-UBS has anti-osteoporotic activity by promoting osteoblast activity and inhibiting osteoclast activity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that FJH-UBS is a potential functional food ingredient for osteoporosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.343-352
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• 2008

Frankincense, the gum resin derived from Boswellia species, is complex mixtures composed of about $5{\sim}9%$ highly aromatic essential oil, $65{\sim}85%$ alcohol-soluble resins, and the remaining water-soluble gums. The anti-inflammatory properties of frankincense, alcohole-soluble resins, are well-recognized, but the question of whether aromatic essential oil also plays a role in the allergic asthma remains unanswered. This study was performed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia sacra essential oil (BSEO) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal OVA sensitization were challenged with intratracheal OVA. One experimental group was inhaled with 0.3% BSEO for the later 8 weeks. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA and developed airway eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness. In contrast, the BSEO treated mice had reduced a number of eosinophils among BALF cells, goblet cell hyperplasia, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Cytokine analysis of BALF revealed that BSEO caused an increase in Th1 cytokine (interferon-$\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$)) and a decrease in Th2 cytokines (interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13) levels. In addition, the OVA-specific serum IgE and eotaxin levels were also reduced. In mice inhaled BSEO, $CD4^+$, $CD3^+/CCR3^+$, and $B220^+/CD23^+$ mediastinal lymph nodes cells were also decreased. These results suggest that inhaled BSEO as a immunomodulator in Th1/Th2 mediated asthma may have therapeutic potential for the treatment in allergic airway inflammation by a simple, cost-effective way.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2006

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is considered to be an important component in the progression of inflammation. Monocytes/macrophages are prominent at inflammation sites, and activation of these cells by stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to the production of significant amounts of MMP-9. Here, we show that LPS-induced MMP-9 production and activation was inhibited by the water extract from the fruit of Chaenomeles sinensis (CS), the root of Polygonum cuspidatum (PC), but increased by the extract from Boswellia carterii (BC). To investigate the mechanism by which those extracts inhibits MMP-9 activation, we examined the level of MMP-9 mRNA expression. We observed a significant change in the MMP-9 expression between LPS alone and LPS plus Chaenomeles sinensis and Polygonum cuspidatum extracts-treated cells. In addition, LPS significantly up-regulated MMP-9 promoter activity in Raw 264.7 cells, which was attenuated by the CS and PS extracts. However, water extracts from Boswellia carterii increased MMP-9 expression and MMP-9 promoter activity which were induced by LPS treatment in Raw 264.7 cells. These data suggest that water extracts from Chaenomeles sinensis and Polygonum cuspidatum can modulate anti-inflammatory immune response, which may be in part associated with the regulation of MMP-9 production and/or activation through the regulation of MMP-9 expression in mouse macrophage cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin (FJH-UBS) enriched with keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid compared to the conventional Boswellia serrata extract by adding the process of removing oil with hexane, in the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered 0, 40, or 80 mg of FJH-UBS/kg body weight (BW)/day for 5 weeks and injected with MIA intra-articularly into right knee joints on day 15 to induce osteoarthritis. Changes in the knee joint microarchitecture, cartilage degradation, the expression of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in serum and synovia were observed. Results: Oral administration of FJH-UBS (80 mg/kg BW/day) reduced MIA-induced knee swelling and cartilage degradation and increased the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan in articular cartilage. Furthermore, FJH-UBS administration reduced MIA-induced increases in the serum levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and MMP-13, and MIA-induced increases in the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in the synovia of knee joints. Conclusion: These results indicate that FJH-UBS exerts its anti-osteoarthritic effects by suppressing the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs and, thus, cartilage degradation. Furthermore, they suggest that FJH-UBS has potential use as a functional food that improves joint and cartilage health.