Boswellic acids and glucosamine show synergistic effect in preclinical anti-inflammatory study in rats

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.04.034 Get rights and content

Abstract

The present study revealed the synergistic effect of boswellic acid mixture (BA) and glucosamine for anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities in rats. Two studies were conducted, that is, acute anti-inflammatory by carrageenan edema and chronic anti-arthritic by Mycobacterium-induced developing arthritis. Five groups of animals were included in each of the study: the vehicle control, positive control (ibuprofen 100 mg/kg), boswellic acids (250 mg/kg), glucosamine (250 mg/kg) and a combination of boswellic acids (125 mg/kg) and glucosamine (125 mg/kg). BA when administered at 250 mg/kg in rats, carrageenan-induced paw edema and Mycobacterium-induced developing arthritis were significantly inhibited. In comparison to boswellic acids, glucosamine when administered at 250 mg/kg showed a mild effect in carrageenan-induced edema and moderate inhibition of paw swelling against developing arthritis. Although the combination of boswellic acids and glucosamine did not affect the acute inflammation to a greater extent yet a significant anti-arthritic activity was observed in rats. In conclusion, a synergistic effect was observed in chronic inflammatory conditions when two chemical entities were administered in combination in preclinical study.

Graphical abstract

Leukotriene inhibiting boswellic acids and glucosamine individually are known for their anti-arthritic potential in preclinical and clinical studies. A combination of both displayed significant synergism in chronic inflammation, whereas in acute inflammation it was almost insignificant.

  1. Download : Download full-size image

Section snippets

Acknowledgments

The authors express their sincere thanks to Dr. V.K. Gupta for the supply of animals and Dr. B.K. Kapahi for the authentication of the material.

References and notes (26)

  • R.S. Lester et al.

    Dermatol. Clin.

    (1998)
  • G.B. Singh et al.

    Phytomedicine

    (1996)
  • J.W. Anderson et al.

    Food Chem. Toxicol.

    (2005)
  • I.G. Otterness et al.

    J. Pharm. Sci.

    (1988)
  • G.B. Singh et al.

    Phytomedicine

    (1996)
  • J.W. Anderson et al.

    Food Chem. Toxicol.

    (2005)
  • C.L. Deal et al.

    Rheum. Dis. Clin. North Am.

    (1999)
  • J. Jieyun et al.

    J. Ethnophar.

    (2003)
  • D.R. Lichtenstein et al.

    Arthritis Rheum.

    (1995)
  • F.G. Patino et al.

    J. Rheumatol.

    (2003)
  • S. Smadar et al.

    Oncology

    (2005)
  • F.E. Silverstein et al.

    J. Am. Med. Assoc.

    (2000)
  • D.H. Solomon et al.

    Circulation

    (2004)
  • Cited by (48)

    • Anti-inflammatory natural products

      2020, Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry
      Citation Excerpt :

      Boswellic acids have been widely reported to produce anti-inflammatory activity in several models of human disease. They have been shown for their therapeutic potentials in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis,113,114 atherosclerosis,115 Parkinson's disease.116 The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds is thought to be mediated through their ability to target cellular signaling involving the NF-κB transcription factor.117

    • Application of NIRS coupled with PLS regression as a rapid, non-destructive alternative method for quantification of KBA in Boswellia sacra

      2017, Spectrochimica Acta - Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
      Citation Excerpt :

      Boswellic acids (BAs), a group of pentacyclic triterpenoids, are mainly isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia spp. Their bioactivities against inflammation [17], arthritis [18], ulcerative colitis [19], chronic colitis [20], asthma [21], and hepatitis [22] are well documented. Jian-Jun et al. [23] found positive anti-proliferation and anti-cancer effects of keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) on liver cancer Hep G2 cells [23].

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text