Title:Novel Delivery Technologies: Triggering the Biopharmaceutical Potential
of Boswellic Acids
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
Author(s): Daphisha Marbaniang*, Anup Kumar Das, Paulami Pal, Niva Rani Gogoi, Ananta Saikia, Subhabrata Ray and Bhaskar Mazumder
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
Keywords:
Boswellia serrata, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, anti-inflammatory, novel drug delivery system, efficacy.
Abstract: Boswellic acids are a series of pentacyclic triterpenes derived from the gum resin of
Boswellia genus, mostly from Boswellia serrata Roxb. (Burseraceae) tree commonly known as Indian
Frankincense or salai guggul and traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent. It acts by inhibiting
5-Lipoxygenase, C3-convertase, cyclooxygenase, preferably COX-1, Human Leukocyte Elastase, NF-
κB expression, Topoisomerase I and II and microsomal Prostaglandin E2 synthase-1. Boswellia species
are reported to have various pharmacological potentials like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial,
anti-arthritic, immunomodulatory activity, neuroprotective activity, and are also proved to
be effective against ileitis, ulcerative colitis, hypolipidemic, hypertension and hepatotoxicity. Regardless
of their multiple uses, pharmacokinetic studies of Boswellic acids revealed their poor oral bioavailability,
high lipophilicity, and their degradation by the hepatic Phase I mechanism. With low solubility
and poor bioavailability, different approaches have been applied to improve the poor pharmacokinetic
profile of Boswellic acids. Designing and developing novel delivery systems for their enhanced
permeability and improved bioavailability with better efficacy have been of great interest.