For centuries, oils extracted from Frankincense – a resin harvested from trees in the genus Boswellia – have been used as a remedy in traditional medicine. Plants within this genus are known to produce Boswellic acids; a series of pentacyclic triterpene molecules that are thought to be the active compounds responsible for their therapeutic properties.
More recently, limited but growing evidence suggests that isolated and purified Boswellic acids may be of significant value in modern medicine. Studies to date demonstrate that Boswellic acids can evoke apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines. Furthermore, evidence showing they improve the symptoms of auto-immune diseases such as asthma and ulcerative colitis suggest they also have anti-inflammatory actions.
Despite the clear pharmacological potential of these compounds there are large gaps in our understanding of their biological effects so it is likely that the natural Boswellia source is currently therapeutically underexploited.
Grant Award – Studentship 2018-2019
Funding Award – £2000
Funding Awarded to – Dr David Greensmith
Research Location – University of Salford
Lead Researcher – Dr David Greensmith