Review Article
    Pharmacognosy Reviews
    Vol. 3
    Issue 5
    2009
    pp. 206-214
    Open Access

    Phytochemical and Pharmacological investigations on Boswellia serrata

    A. Sharma1,S. Chhikara1,S. N. Ghodekar1,S. Bhatia1,M. D. Kharya2,V. Gajbhiye2,A. S. Mann2,A.G. Namdeo1,K. R. Mahadik1
    1Department of Pharmacognosy, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411038, INDIA.
    2Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar, 470 003, INDIA.
    Correspondence:

    *A.G. Namdeo

    Department of Pharmacognosy, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411038, INDIA.

    ajay_namdeo@rediffmail.com

    Copyright:

    2009 Author(s)

    Published:18/01/2009

    Abstract

    Salai guggal is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from Boswellia serrata. Its essential oil is a mixture of mono, di and sesquiterpenes while gum fraction composed of pentose and hexose sugar with some digestive enzymes. Resin is the most important fraction of Salai guggal comprising mainly of pentacyclic triterpenic acids namely Boswellic acids. The therapeutic value of Salai guggal predominantly resides in its oleo-resin portion, which possess anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and analgesic activity. In addition it has hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activity as well. Boswellic acids are novel, specific, non-redox inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in arachidonic acid metabolism. This review focuses on the current state of therapeutic potential and phytochemical profile of Boswellia serrata.

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    Keywords

    Apoptosis
    Boswellia serrata
    Boswellic acids
    Inflammation
    Leukotriene synthesis
    5-lipoxygenase
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