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

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2007 Jul 1;17(13):3706-11. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.04.034. Epub 2007 Apr 19.

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 100mg/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.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Arthritis / drug therapy*
  • Carrageenan / pharmacology
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / methods*
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Drug Synergism
  • Edema
  • Glucosamine / chemistry*
  • Glucosamine / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Chemical
  • Mycobacterium / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Triterpenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Triterpenes
  • boswellic acid
  • Carrageenan
  • Glucosamine