Boswellia serrata (Salai/Salai guggul) 

is a tree belonging to the Burseraceae family which grows in India, Middle East and North Africa.

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.

Boswellia serrata, commonly known as Indian frankincense or salai, is a tree species native to the dry, hilly regions of India, Africa, and the Middle East. It is renowned for its aromatic resin, which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, religious rituals, and as a flavoring agent. The resin, often referred to as frankincense, is extracted from the tree's bark and has a long history of use in various cultures.

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.

(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.