Boswellia serrata

Boswellia serrata is a tree native to the arid regions of India, belonging to the family Burseraceae, and it is best known for the precious aromatic resin it produces. Its appearance is modest yet resilient: a pale, sometimes flaky trunk, knotty branches, and compound leaves of a soft green, slightly serrated along the edges. During the warm season, the tree bears small, pale flowers, while the sap that seeps out from incisions in the bark slowly solidifies, forming hard, fragrant drops with yellowish to amber tones.

The true identity of Boswellia serrata lies in this resin, appreciated for its balsamic, warm, resinous scent, with gentle woody nuances and a faintly spicy background. Traditionally, it was collected and left to dry in the open air, taking on irregular shapes and a brittle texture. When broken or gently warmed, it releases an intense, penetrating fragrance that evokes sacred spaces, ancient fumigations, and traditional rituals.

Within the resin are characteristic components such as boswellic acids, together with other aromatic and resinous molecules that contribute to its olfactory profile and its dense, slightly sticky consistency. The tree grows in rocky, poor soils, where its roots wedge into dry crevices in search of minimal moisture. It thrives in strong sunlight and high temperatures, developing irregular, robust forms shaped by drought and wind.

The scent of Boswellia serrata resin—deep, enveloping, almost meditative—still calls to mind images of old trade routes, ritual exchanges, and spiritual atmospheres. As a tree of few demands but strong character, it remains a quiet, striking presence in the dry landscapes of India, guardian of a resin that has crossed centuries while preserving its unmistakable identity.

There are 17 genera and about 600 species in tropical regions.

The most important species are:

• Boswellia sacra Flueck
• Boswellia serrata

Resins, essential oils, gums used for a long time in Ayurvedic medicine are obtained from this tree.

Botanical Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Sapindales
• Family: Burseraceae
• Genus: Boswellia
• Species: Boswellia serrata

Plant Characteristics: Boswellia serrata is characterized by:

• Size: A small to medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 8-12 meters in height. It has a sparse, irregular crown with thin, wrinkled bark.
• Leaves: Pinnate leaves with 8-12 pairs of leaflets, which are elliptical and have a glossy green appearance.
• Flowers: Small, white to pale yellow flowers that form in dense clusters on the tree. The flowers are not particularly showy but are part of the tree's reproductive process.
• Resin: The tree produces a resin that is harvested by making incisions in the bark. The resin exudes as a gummy substance and hardens into a brittle, aromatic material.

Chemical Composition and Structure: The resin of Boswellia serrata contains a complex mixture of compounds, including:

• Boswellic Acids: Key active components, such as beta-boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), and alpha-boswellic acid, are noted for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Essential Oils: Contains compounds such as limonene, alpha-pinene, and beta-caryophyllene, contributing to its characteristic aroma.
• Other Phytochemicals: Includes a variety of terpenes and sesquiterpenes, which add to the resin's therapeutic and aromatic qualities.

Uses and Benefits:

• Medicinal: Widely used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic properties. It is commonly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Scientific studies support some of these uses, particularly for Boswellic acids in reducing inflammation.
• Aromatic: The resin is used in incense and perfumes for its pleasant and distinctive fragrance, often utilized in religious ceremonies and aromatherapy.
• Cosmetic: Extracts are used in skincare products for their anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, making them beneficial for conditions such as acne and eczema.
• Culinary: While not commonly used in cooking, the resin has been historically employed as a flavoring agent in certain traditional dishes.

Applications:

• Medicinal: Used in supplements and herbal remedies for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Commonly available in capsule, tablet, and topical forms.
• Aromatic: Incorporated into incense and perfumes for its distinctive, aromatic properties.
• Cosmetics: Added to skincare products such as creams, lotions, and serums for its soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product. 

CAS   97952-72-2

EC number   308-366-6

• Culinary: Rarely used in modern culinary practices but historically used in some traditional cuisines.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

• Environmental Impact: Boswellia serrata is a slow-growing tree and requires careful management to avoid overharvesting. Sustainable harvesting practices are important to ensure the tree's conservation.
• Safety: Generally safe for use, but high doses or prolonged use may cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals. It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before using Boswellia serrata for medicinal purposes, especially in the case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, or pre-existing health conditions.

Studies

The main components of these trees are (1):

• monoterpenes: α-thujene
• diterpenic alcohol: serratol
• triterpenes: β-amirine, α-amirine
• pentacyclic triterpenic acid: boswellic acid

This study established that the crude methanolic  extract and pure compound of Boswellia serrata are capable of natural anti-inflammatory activity at sites of chronic inflammation by switching off cytokines and pro-inflammatory mediators, which initiate the process (2).

The biologically active constituents ofBoswellia serrata, namely 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid and β-boswellic acid, act synergistically to exert anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic activity showing improvement in physical and functional capacity and reducing pain and stiffness in the management of knee osteoarthritis (3).

Aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants are currently the treatment choices in inflammatory bowel disease, however, with limited remission and often serious side effects. Boswellia serrata is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy with anti-inflammatory properties of interest for its utility in inflammatory bowel disease. This study elucidates the pharmacological mechanisms mediated by Boswellia serrata, in protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier from inflammatory damage and supports its use as a safe adjuvant in patients with inflammatory bowel disease  (4).

The most relevant studies on this ingredient have been selected with a summary of their contents:

Boswellia serrata studies

References_________________________________________________________

(1) el-Khadem H, el-Shafei ZM, el-Sekeily MA, Rahman MM. Derivatives of boswellic acids. Planta Med. 1972 Sep;22(2):157-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1099599. 

(2) Gayathri B, Manjula N, Vinaykumar KS, Lakshmi BS, Balakrishnan A. Pure compound from Boswellia serrata extract exhibits anti-inflammatory property in human PBMCs and mouse macrophages through inhibition of TNFalpha, IL-1beta, NO and MAP kinases. Int Immunopharmacol. 2007 Apr;7(4):473-82. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2006.12.003.

Abstract. The aim of the present study is to probe the anti-inflammatory potential of the plant Boswellia serrata by studying the effect of the crude extract and the pure compound isolated from it on key inflammatory mediators like TNFalpha, IL-1beta, and NO thus enabling the understanding of the key signaling events involved. The crude methanolic extract and the pure compound were analysed for their inhibitory effect on TNFalpha, IL-1beta and IL-6. The results demonstrated that all three cytokines are down regulated when PBMCs are cultured in the presence of crude extract or the pure compound at various time points. Observations on Th1/Th2 cytokines revealed marked down regulation of Th1 cytokines IFNgamma and IL-12 while the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were up regulated upon treatment with crude extract and pure compound. The extract and the pure compound isolated also showed considerable inhibition of NO production in activated RAW 264.7 cells, possibly via suppression of inducible NO synthase mRNA expression. Further to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action the effect of 12-ursene 2-diketone on LPS-induced activation of MAPK has also been examined. Our results demonstrated that 12-ursene 2-diketone inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators via inhibition of phosphorylation of the MAP kinases JNK and p38 while no inhibition was seen in ERK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated PBMCs. The above study therefore indicates that the crude methanolic extract and the isolated pure compound are capable of carrying out a natural anti-inflammatory activity at sites where chronic inflammation is present by switching off the pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, which initiate the process.

(3) Majeed M, Majeed S, Narayanan NK, Nagabhushanam K. A pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel Boswellia serrata extract in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. Phytother Res. 2019 May;33(5):1457-1468. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6338.

(4) Catanzaro D, Rancan S, Orso G, Dall'Acqua S, Brun P, Giron MC, Carrara M, Castagliuolo I, Ragazzi E, Caparrotta L, Montopoli M. Boswellia serrata Preserves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier from Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage. PLoS One. 

Abstract. Aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are currently the therapeutic choices in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), however, with limited remission and often serious side effects. Meanwhile complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is increasing, particularly herbal medicine. Boswellia serrata is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy with anti-inflammatory properties, of interest for its usefulness in IBDs. The mechanism of this pharmacological potential of Boswellia serrata was investigated in colonic epithelial cell monolayers exposed to H2O2 or INF-γ+TNF-α, chosen as in vitro experimental model of intestinal inflammation. The barrier function was evaluated by the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular permeability assay, and by the tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1, ZO-1 and occludin) immunofluorescence. The expression of phosphorylated NF-κB and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were determined by immunoblot and cytofluorimetric assay, respectively. Boswellia serrata oleo-gum extract (BSE) and its pure derivative acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), were tested at 0.1-10 μg/ml and 0.027 μg/ml, respectively. BSE and AKBA safety was demonstrated by no alteration of intestinal cell viability and barrier function and integrity biomarkers. H2O2 or INF-γ+TNF-α treatment of Caco-2 cell monolayers significantly reduced TEER, increased paracellular permeability and caused the disassembly of tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1. BSE and AKBA pretreatment significantly prevented functional and morphological alterations and also the NF-κB phosphorylation induced by the inflammatory stimuli. At the same concentrations BSE and AKBA counteracted the increase of ROS caused by H2O2 exposure. Data showed the positive correlation of the antioxidant activity with the mechanism involved in the physiologic maintenance of the integrity and function of the intestinal epithelium. This study elucidates the pharmacological mechanisms mediated by BSE, in protecting intestinal epithelial barrier from inflammatory damage and supports its use as safe adjuvant in patients affected by IBD.