Symptom → Plant Sources
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) as a tool for helping with Back pain
inferred from analgesic action
Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the commonest form of inflammatory joint disease. Unfortunately, to date, there is no appropriate treatment for OA. Boswellia serrata was considered as a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic agent that may be a drug for OA. Methods In this meta-analysis, data from randomized controlled trials were obtained to assess the effects of Boswellia or its extract versus placebo or western medicine in patients with OA. The primary outcomes included visual analogue score (VAS), WOMAC pain, WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC function and lequesne index. Result Seven trials involving 545 patients were included. Compared with the control group, Boswellia and its extract may relieve the pain [VAS: (WMD -8.33; 95% CI -11.19, - 5.46; P Conclusion Based on current evidence, Boswellia and its extract may be an effective and safe treatment option for patient with OA, and the recommended duration of treatment with Boswellia and its extract is at least 4 weeks.
1 source supporting Boswellia for Back pain. Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's analgesic (pain relief) action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
A double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a standardized oral supplementation of Boswellin®, a novel extract of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) containing 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBBA) with β-boswellic acid (BBA). A total of 48 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were randomized and allocated to the BSE and placebo groups for intervention. Patients were administered BSE or placebo for a period of 120 days. The trial results revealed that BSE treatment significantly improved the physical function of the patients by reducing pain and stiffness compared with placebo. Radiographic assessments showed improved knee joint gap and reduced osteophytes (spur) confirming the efficacy of BSE treatment. BSE also significantly reduced the serum levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, a potential inflammatory marker associated with OA of the knee. No serious adverse events were reported. This is the first study with BSE conducted for a period of 120 days, longer than any other previous clinical trial on patients with OA of the knee. The findings provide evidence that biologically active constituents of BSE, namely, AKBBA and BBA, act synergistically to exert anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic activity showing improvement in physical and functional ability and reducing the pain and stiffness.
In a 30-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the Boswellia serrata extract Aflapin significantly reduced pain and improved function in knee osteoarthritis and lowered inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers (MMP-3, TNF-alpha, hs-CRP).
A Boswellia serrata gum-resin composition inhibited 5-LOX, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2 and TNF-alpha and, in monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rats, relieved pain and protected articular cartilage, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
In an open-label trial in 232 patients with hand osteoarthritis, a Curcuma plus Boswellia serrata resin food supplement significantly reduced pain and the number of painful joints and decreased NSAID use, supporting its analgesic anti-inflammatory use.