Enriched Boswellia serrata Extract Against Osteoarthritis

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics , Food and Agriculture on July 30, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Jeff Strickler

In a study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy, researchers demonstrated the efficacy of 5-loxin, an extract of the 'Indian Frankincense' herb Boswellia serrata enriched with 30% 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

"The high incidence of adverse affects associated with currently available medications has created great interest in the search for an effective and safe alternative treatment". The extract the authors used was enriched with 30% AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), which is thought to be the most active ingredient in the plant. Raychaudhuri said, "AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties, and we have shown that B. serrata enriched with AKBA can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee". This is a proprietary product developed by Laila Nutraceuticals.

Researchers also add that the results indicate that the compound had no major adverse effects in osteoarthritis patients and is safe for human consumption and even for long-term use.