Medicinal plants are used for different purposes in traditional medicine. Boswellia serrata (B. serrata) from Burseracea family has been widely used for human medical purposes. This plant known as frankincense or olibanum has a resin with therapeutic properties. The main constituent of this resin is boswellic acid that plays an important role in various fields. From past to present, many studies had been shown that olibanum and its main constituent, boswellic acid, have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic effects. In addition, many findings about effects of B. serrata and its ingredients on central nervous system (CNS) are available. Therefore, the aim this study is to review in vivo and in vitro evidence attributed to this plant and its constituents on CNS. Databases including Web of Sciences, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar were explored for entries from the beginning of January 2000 until the end of November 2020. Findings reveal that B. serrata and its constituents have neuroprtotective effects and ameliorate learning and memory malfunction. These effects mainly are attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant.

Background: The adverse effects of traditional chemical treatments have driven interest in herbal compounds for leishmaniasis therapy. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-leishmanial effect of Boswellia sacra gum resin extract on the survival of Leishmania major promastigotes. Methods: Leishmania major strain (MHOM/IR/75/ER) was adjusted to 2 × 105 parasites per well. Promastigotes were exposed to a range of B. sacra gum resin extract concentrations (15, 25, 50, 70, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 µg/ml) for 24 hours. Viability and cytotoxic effects were assessed using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) with absorbance measured at 450 nm. Result: The B. sacra gum resin extract reduced promastigotes viability at various concentrations, with statistically significant effects observed at 800, 1600, and 3200 µg/mL (P ≤ 0.05). Cytotoxic effects at 1600 and 3200 µg/mL were significantly greater than those at 15, 25, and 50 µg/mL (P ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: Based on the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity observed, Boswellia sacra resin extract warrants further investigation as a potential agent against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Future in vivo studies are recommended to evaluate efficacy and safety.

This study aimed to determine the analgesic properties and the acute toxicity of Ethanol Extract of the Resin Exudate of Boswellia dalzielii (EERBD) in mice animal model. We used the writhing or acetic acid abdominal constriction, tail-immersion, and hot plate tests to assess the analgesic effect of EERBD at three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). To study the acute toxicity of EERBD, 24 female mice were divided into four groups (n=6) and were orally treated with EERBD at the doses of 0, 2000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg, as per OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines No. 420. In the acetic acid-induced writhing reflex model, the EERBD ministration decreased the mean total number of writhes at the two doses (100 and 400 mg/kg), which were found highly significant (P < 0. 001) compared to control group. In the tail immersion model, the EERBD administration at the dose of 400 mg/kg significantly increased the pain reaction time (P < 0. 001 as compared to control) at 30 min, but another tested sample had no significant latency. In the hot-plate model, the drug extract created significant (P < 0. 001) increase in the latency period compared to the control group at oral doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg when compared to initial time and control group (4. 5 ± 1. 29 s) with protective effect from 4. 25 ± 1. 50 s after 30 min. Administration of EERBD at the dose of 200 mg/kg showed no significant analgesic activity based on writing, tail immersion, and hot-plate tests. The extract did not show toxicity signs or death at dose of less than 5000 mg/kg per oral. The results suggest that EERBD contain bioactive substances with analgesics effects; hence, it might be a better alternative to conventional drug therapy for pain management.

Introduction: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in neurodegeneration procedure in Parkinson’s disease. Recently, neuroprotective potential of Boswellia resin has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study examined whether administration of Boswellia resin would attenuate MPP+-induced neuronal death in SK-N-SH- cell line, a human dopaminergic neurons- in vitro.Methods: Boswellia resin extract was added to culture medium (10 mg/ml) before and after exposure of SK-N-SH cell line to MPP+ (1000 mM). Cell viability and apoptosis features were assessed using MTT and Hoechst staining, respectively.Results: Treatment with Boswellia resin 2 and 3h prior to MPP o exposure and up to 60 minutes after MPP o exposure significantly increased cell viability compare to untreated cells. Apoptotic features were also reduced significantly by Boswellia resin (10 mg/ml) compare to that of control untreated cells.Discussion: Boswellia resin has neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons which can be applicable in Parkinson’s disease.