Phytochemical and Pharmacological investigations on Boswellia serrata

Pharmacognosy Reviews,2009,3,5,206-215.
Published:January 2009
Type:Review Article
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

A. Sharma1, S. Chhikara1, S. N. Ghodekar1, S. Bhatia1, M. D. Kharya2, V. Gajbhiye2, A. S. Mann2, A.G. Namdeo1 and 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.

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.

Cite This Article

Vancouver Style ::
A. Sharma, Chhikara, S. , Ghodekar, S. N. , Bhatia, S. , Kharya, M. D. , Gajbhiye, V. , Mann, A. S. , Namdeo, A. G. , and Mahadik, K. R. , Phytochemical and Pharmacological investigations on Boswellia serrata, Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 206-215, 2009.