Brief Introduction

Synonyms--- Frankincense

Alpha-Boswellic acid

Chemical Name:

Cas Number: 471-66-9
Molecular Formula: C₃₀H₄₈O₃

Mol. Wt.: 456.70

Molecular Structure:

Boswellia is a tree in the Burseraceae family, from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is derived. Boswellia sacra , Boswellia carterii, Boswellia frereana and Boswellia serrata are the primary trees in the genus Boswellia. Some literature identifies B. sacra as growing in Oman and Yemen, and B. carterii as growing in Somalia. The latest scientific opinion is that these are both the same species and should correctly be called B. sacra. Boswellia frereana only grows in northern Somalia where the locals call it "Maydi", the king of all frankincense. In the West it is called "Coptic Frankincense" as this is the type and grade used by the Coptic Church of Egypt. It is virtually unobtainable outside Arab counties as 80% of production is sold to Saudi Arabia where it is traditionally brought home by Muslim pilgrims. The remaining 20% is sold to all the other Arab countries put together. The most expensive Omani B. sacra is sometimes sold interchangeably with B. frereana, although the smell is very different.Boswellia serrata is Indian frankincense or Salai,which is found in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India. Its aroma is generally considered to be far inferior compared to Boswellia sacra or Boswellia frereana.

The trees start producing resin when they are about 8 to 10 years old. The resin is extracted by making a small, shallow incision on the trunk or branches of the tree or by removing a portion of the crust of it. The resin is drained as a milky substance that coagulates in contact with air and is collected by hand.

Growing conditions vary significantly, affecting both tree development and resin produced. Trees in the narrow fog-laden zone where the desert meets Oman's southern mountain range, a region known as the Nejd, grow extremely slowly and produce very high quality resin in large, white clumps. Not surprisingly, Omanis and other Gulf State Arabs consider this to be superior to all other resins produced in North and Northeast Africa, India, and Asia, and it is priced accordingly.

Recent studies have indicated that frankincense tree populations are declining due to over-exploitation. Heavily tapped trees have been found to produce seeds that germinate at only 16% while seeds of trees that had not been tapped germinate at more than 80%.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has been used for hundreds of years for treating arthritis. Extracts of Boswellia serrata have been clinically studied for osteoarthritis and joint function, particularly for osteoarthritis of the knee. A Boswellia extract marketed under the name Wokvel has undergone human efficacy, comparative, pharmacokinetic studies. Boswellia serrata is used in the manufacture of the supposed anti-wrinkle agent "Boswelox", which has been criticised as being ineffective.

Boswellic acids are a series of pentacyclic triterpene molecules which are produced by plants in the genus Boswellia. Like many other terpenes, boswellic acids appear in the resin of the plant which exudes them; it is estimated that they make up 30% of the resin of Boswellia serrata. The boswellic acids are organic acids, consisting of a pentacyclic triterpene, a carboxyl group and at least one other functional group. Alpha-boswellic acid and beta-boswellic acid, C₃₀H₄₈O₃ both have an additional hydroxyl group; they differ only in their triterpene structure. Acetyl-alpha-boswellic acid and acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, C₃₂H₅₀O₄, replace the hydroxyl group with an acetyl group.Other boswellic acids include the keto-boswellic acids and their acetyl counterparts.

Beta-boswellic acid, keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) have been indicated in apoptosis of cancer cells, particularly brain tumors and cells affected by leukemia or colon cancer.

Acetyl-boswellic acids also exhibit anti-inflammatory behaviour by inhibiting leukotriene synthesis. Specifically, it inhibits the activity of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase through a non-redox reaction. Clinical trials have investigated the effectiveness of boswellic acids in treating ulcerative colitis, but a study on chemically induced colitis in mouse models showed little effectiveness. This latter study also linked large doses of boswellic acids to hepatotoxicity and increased lipid accumulation. Paradoxically, low doses of Boswellia serrata extract may have hepatoprotective effects.

Boswellic acids are also thought to decrease the symptoms of asthma; a small 1998 placebo-controlled trial of Boswellia extract for the treatment of asthma showed good results.

Boswellia extracts are sold in tablet, capsule and tincture form, but no dosage guidelines have been developed. The risk of hepatotoxicity due to Boswellia administration has not been assessed.

The Boswellia Extract used in dietary supplements is derived from the resin (frankincense) of of the plant Boswellia serrata.

Benefits

• Treat Arthritis(osteoarthritis and Joint function)

• Anti-wrinkle effect

•Anti-cancer

•Anti-inflammatory

Mechanism

Not available.

Safety

Boswellia Extract in safe, but large doses of boswellic acids may result in hepatotoxicity and increased lipid accumulation. (Paradoxically, low doses of Boswellia serrata extract may have hepatoprotective effects.)

Dosage

•  The typical dose is 300-900mg per day (usually in 2-3 doses throughout the day).
•  Consult physicians for different condition specifics.

GNI’s Boswellia Extract Features and Benefits:

Boswellia Extract is one of GNI's most competitive products, with many advantages as list in the following, produced as our patent-pending process and know-how technology from Boswellia serrata resin.

•  Produced with pure water only

•  High purity: over 65%

•  NO solvent - residual free

•  Pesticide-free

•  Light brown to yellow in appearance

•  High anti-bacteria, and longer shelf life

Product Specifications:

Boswellia Extract Boswellic Acids 25% HPLC

Boswellia Extract Boswellic Acids 65%