The Effects of Boswellia serrata Gum Resin on the Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile of Diabetic Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Regarding preclinical evidence for antidiabetic effects of Boswellia serrata, we evaluated antihyperglycemic and lipid-lowering effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in type 2 diabetic patients. Fifty-six diabetic patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups to receive 250 mg of the Boswellia serrata gum resin or placebo twice daily for 8 weeks in addition to their routine antidiabetic treatments. Although there was a considerable reduction after the intervention in the field of fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, and triglyceride in the Boswellia serrata gum resin group, no significant difference was observed in all outcome measures between the 2 groups at the end of the study. The current study showed that 8 weeks of complementary use of Boswellia serrata gum resin with a daily dose of 500 mg had no better glucose and lipid-lowering effect than placebo in diabetic patients.

Wound Healing Potential of the Standardized Extract of Boswellia serrata on Experimental Diabetic Foot Ulcer via Inhibition of Inflammatory, Angiogenetic and Apoptotic Markers

“…A previous report has suggested that BS oleo-gum significantly stimulated wound contraction, recognized by its beneficial effect on fibroplasia and collagen synthesis during various phases of wound healing [20,23,24]. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical evidence documented the potential of BS extract against chronic inflammatory diseases as well as diabetes and its related complications [19,25,26]. In view of the promising results of BS for management of wound healing and hyperglycemia, the present investigation aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential and possible mechanism of action of the standardized extract of BS against an experimental model of delayed wound healing.…”

“…The gummy oleoresin obtained after peeling the bark showed the presence of oils, terpenoids, and gum. BS has been reported to possess diverse biological properties for the treatment of various ailments, including ulcerative colitis, Crohnʼs disease, osteoarthritis, cardiotoxicity, wounds, diabetes, oxidative stress, bronchial asthma, inflammation, and cancer [16][17][18][19][20][21]. The health benefits of oils and gum of BS have been attributed to its wide range of phytochemicals, including major boswellic acid, viz., α-boswellic acid, β-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid [18].…”

Boswellic Acids as Promising Leads in Drug Development against Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Most of the available trials are related to the inflammatory diseases such as bronchial asthma, 137,138 osteoarthritis of the knee, 35,129,139,140 joint discomfort, 141 Crohn disease, 142,143 collagenous colitis, 144 chronic colitis, 145 moderate plaqueinduced gingivitis, 146 erythematous eczema and psoriasism 13 osteo muscular pain, 137 while other diseases such as heavy menstrual bleeding, 147 diabetes, 20,148 prevention of adjuvant radiotherapy skin damage, 149 multiple sclerosis (MS), 150 osteoarthritis (as pain reliever) 151 are studied too. The safety profile of BEs/BAs was investigated by monitoring of the vital signs or measuring the hematological and biochemical parameter and no safety perturbation was observed.…”

“…20 A recent study of B.serrata extract effect on the blood glucose and lipid profile of diabetic patients showed considerable reduction after the intervention in the field of FBS, HbA1c, and TG in the BE administered group, while no significant difference was observed in all outcome measures between the two groups at the end of study. 148 The effect of B.papyrifera extract on cognitive impairment in MS patients was investigated on 80 patients. 153 The results showed that B.papyrifera significantly improved visuospatial memory, but it had no effect on verbal memory and information processing speed.…”

Ameliorative Effects of Boswellic Acid on Fipronil-Induced Toxicity: Antioxidant State, Apoptotic Markers, and Testicular Steroidogenic Expression in Male Rats

“…It is potent against several inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, respiratory inflammatory disorders, brain tumor, fertility, and memory [ 13 ]. This gum-resin is applied in conventional Chinese medicine to remedy many aspects of well-being [ 14 ]. Many in vitro trials indicated that BA hinders the synthesis of the pro-inflammatory enzyme such as 5-lipoxygenase ( 5-LO ), cyclooxygenase-1 ( COX-1 ), human elastase of the leucocytes ( HLE ), cathepsin G ( cat G ), and microsomal prostaglandin E ( mPGES-1 ), together with nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-μB ) inhibition and various cytokines such as TNFα , IL-1β , and IL-6 , respectively [ 15 ].…”