Boswellia serrata: Its phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and its potential health benefits

Abstract

The plant Boswellia serrata (BS) which belong to the Burseraceae family yields boswellic acid (BA), one of the active components. Indian olibanum, Indian frankincense, and Salai guggul are other names for the plant's oleoresin gum. Boswellia species include a range of phytochemicals, essential oils, and beta-, acetyl, and keto-basins (BA). Several extraction techniques, including hydrodistillation, solvent extraction, percolation, and ultraviolet-assisted extraction, were used to isolate this range of compounds from the plant. The biological actions of the active ingredient include antitumor, antidiuretic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review on the plant BS upgraded the information regarding its medicinal property, its isolation in the traditional or Indian system of medicine, and finally it proved to be efficacious in homoeopathic system of medicine.