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It has been said that about 1/6th of the world’s population suffers from arthritis, and about 21 million people are affected by osteoarthritis in the US alone (1) (7). Though the disease has debilitating effects on joints, studies show there is one natural product that shows positive effects on joints and inflammation relate to arthritis: boswellia.Otherwise known as “Indian Frankincense,” the resin of boswellia trees has helped people since ancient times. People worldwide are turning to this plant’s healing properties for relief as it also has fewer adverse effects than steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Boswellia is a tree native to India that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, mainly to treat inflammation and as an antiarthritic. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s web page, “the major component is boswellic acid (1), which was shown in animal studies to be a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects (2)(3)(4).The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine is also currently investing research funds to conduct studies at the University of Arizona to analyze the treatment of chronic arthritis with Boswellia.
Recently, at the University of California, a study led by Siba Raychaudhuri assessed participant levels of pain, joint stiffness and mobility of the knee.An extract from boswellia, called 5-Loxin, contains boswellic acids including acetyl-keto-beta (AKBA), which is thought to be the most potent anti-inflammatory constituent. (7) The double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study, published July 30 in Arthritis Research & Therapy, found significant improvements in knee health and performance after seven days in the group given 250mg of 5-Loxin daily. (7)
The placebo group, which was given an identical looking supplement, but made of only oat bran, saw no statistical change. (7)
Another study published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2003, found promising results for treating osteoarthritis of the knee. In an 8-week double-blind crossover RCT (Randomized Clinical Trial,) a dosage of 333 mg of the gum, or resin, of Boswellia, three times a day was more efficient than placebo in reducing pain, loss of movement, and swelling scores (5). In a 3-month double-blind RCT, a dosage of 500 mg three times a day of a cocktail of B. serrata and turmeric (Curcuma longa) decreased categorical scales of joint pain, tenderness, and effusion (6)
Numerous studies are being performed worldwide on boswellia’s effect on other health concerns including stubborn tumor cells, colitis, and asthma. Some other things that could help arthritis are: Omega 3 lipids, exercise, weight loss, and massage. Boswellia could have minor side effects such as stomach pain, stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea. It is not known whether boswellia interacts with any drugs, supplements, or diseases and conditions. (8)
2. Dahmen U, Gu YL, Dirsch O, et al. Boswellic acid, a potent antiinflammatory drug, inhibits rejection to the same extent as high dose steroids. Transplant Proc. Feb-Mar 2001;33(1-2):539-541.
3. Safayhi H, Boden SE, Schweizer S, et al. Concentration-dependent potentiating and inhibitory effects of Boswellia extracts on 5-lipoxygenase product formation in stimulated PMNL. Planta Med. Mar 2000;66(2):110-113.
4. Safayhi H, Mack T, Sabieraj J, et al. Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. Jun 1992;261(3):1143-1146.
5. Kimmatkar N, Thawani V, Hingorani L, Khiyani R: Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee – a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2003 10:3-7
6. Badria FA, El-Farahaty T, Shabana AA, Hawas SA, El-Batoty MF: Boswellia-curcumin preparation for treating knee osteoarthritis. Altern and Complement Ther 2002, 8:341-348
7. Krishanu Sengupta, Krishnaraju V Alluri, Andey Rama Satish, Simanchala Mishra, Trimurtulu Golakoti, Kadainti VS Sarma, Dipak Dey and Siba P Raychaudhuri: Arthritis Research & Therapy Volume 10, Issue 4 “A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee”
8. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/RA/#four
This article was published on Friday September 11, 2009.
