Casperome® is a trademarked formulation of Boswellia serrata extract, a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medical science for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

The name 'Casperome' is a trademark and does not directly describe the structure of the molecule. What is unique about Casperome is that it is an example of a 'phytosome'. Phytosomes are advanced forms of herbal products that are better absorbed and utilised and, consequently, produce better results than conventional herbal extracts.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps: Boswellia serrata extract is complexed with phospholipids to improve its bioavailability. Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are an important component of all cell membranes and can improve the absorption of many active ingredients.

Thus, although the molecular structure of 'Casperome' is unknown, this term refers to a specific formulation of Boswellia serrata extract designed to improve its absorption and efficacy.

What it is for and where

Medical

This study has shown that Casperome® supplementation alleviates the symptoms of ulcerative colitis by producing a beneficial effect on many of the discomforts associated with the disease: diffuse intestinal pain, overt and occult blood in the stool, bowel movements and cramping, watery stools, malaise, anaemia, rectal involvement, white blood cell count (1).

The properties of Casperome® have proved useful in healthy subjects with mild irritable bowel syndrome (2) and its anti-inflammatory activity has been confirmed (3).

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Pellegrini L, Milano E, Franceschi F, Belcaro G, Gizzi G, Feragalli B, Dugall M, Luzzi R, Togni S, Eggenhoffner R, Giacomelli L. Managing ulcerative colitis in remission phase: usefulness of Casperome®, an innovative lecithin-based delivery system of Boswellia serrata extract. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Jun;20(12):2695-700.

Abstract. Objective: Boswellia serrata extracts (BSE) have been traditionally used for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel delivery form of BSE (Casperome®) in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) during minimally symptomatic remission phase....Results: A significant beneficial effect of Casperome® was observed for all the parameters evaluated, namely: diffuse intestinal pain, evident and occult blood in stools, bowel movements and cramps, watery stools, malaise, anemia, rectal involvement, number of white blood cells as well as need for concomitant drugs and medical attention. Faecal concentration of calprotectin, a marker of bowel inflammation, resulted ameliorated in Casperome® supplemented patients. Conclusions: Our study showed that Casperome® supplementation attenuates symptoms associated with mild UC in remission, reducing the use of drugs and medical consultations. Therefore, our study suggests that Casperome® supplementation could represent a promising alternative approach to manage minimally symptomatic UC and maintain the remission phase.

(2) Riva A, Giacomelli L, Togni S, Franceschi F, Eggenhoffner R, Zuccarini MC, Belcaro G. Oral administration of a lecithin-based delivery form of boswellic acids (Casperome®) for the prevention of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical study. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2019 Mar;65(1):30-35. doi: 10.23736/S1121-421X.18.02530-8.

Abstract. Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and the safety of a lecithin-based delivery form of boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata (Casperome®) for the prevention of symptoms in otherwise healthy subjects with mild irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)....Conclusions: Boswellia serrata lecithin-based delivery form (Casperome®) appears to be effective and safe in improving signs and symptoms in IBS subjects who are otherwise healthy, particularly in comparison with symptomatic drug treatment that may cause side effects and stiptis.

(3) Loeser K, Seemann S, König S, Lenhardt I, Abdel-Tawab M, Koeberle A, Werz O, Lupp A. Protective Effect of Casperome®, an Orally Bioavailable Frankincense Extract, on Lipopolysaccharide- Induced Systemic Inflammation in Mice. Front Pharmacol. 2018 Apr 20;9:387. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00387.

Abstract. Introduction: Despite recent advances in critical care, sepsis remains a crucial cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Therefore, the identification of new therapeutic strategies is of great importance. Since ancient times, frankincense is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, the present study intends to evaluate if Casperome® (Casp), an orally bioavailable soy lecithin-based formulation of standardized frankincense extract, is able to ameliorate systemic effects and organ damages induced by severe systemic inflammation using a murine model of sepsis, i.e., intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Methods: Male 60-day-old mice were assigned to six treatment groups: (1) control, (2) LPS, (3) soy lecithin (blank lecithin without frankincense extract), (4) Casp, (5) soy lecithin plus LPS, or (6) Casp plus LPS. Soy lecithin and Casp were given 3 h prior to LPS treatment; 24 h after LPS administration, animals were sacrificed and health status and serum cytokine levels were evaluated. Additionally, parameters representing liver damage or liver function and indicating oxidative stress in different organs were determined. Furthermore, markers for apoptosis and immune cell redistribution were assessed by immunohistochemistry in liver and spleen. Results: LPS treatment caused a decrease in body temperature, blood glucose levels, liver glycogen content, and biotransformation capacity along with an increase in serum cytokine levels and oxidative stress in various organs. Additionally, apoptotic processes were increased in spleen besides a pronounced immune cell infiltration in both liver and spleen. Pretreatment with Casp significantly improved health status, blood glucose values, and body temperature of the animals, while serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in all organs tested were significantly diminished. Finally, apoptotic processes in spleen, liver glycogen loss, and immune cell infiltration in liver and spleen were distinctly reduced. Casp also appears to induce various cytochromeP450 isoforms, thus causing re-establishment of liver biotransformation capacity in LPS-treated mice. Conclusion: Casp displayed anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and hepatoprotective effects. Thus, orally bioavailable frankincense extracts may serve as a new supportive treatment option in acute systemic inflammation and accompanied liver dysfunction.