Showing papers on "Boswellia sacra published in 2012"

Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model.

Abstract: Regardless of the availability of therapeutic options, the overall 5-year survival for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer remains less than 5%. Gum resins from Boswellia species, also known as frankincense, have been used as a major ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of health-related conditions. Both frankincense chemical extracts and essential oil prepared from Boswellia species gum resins exhibit anti-neoplastic activity, and have been investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. The goals of this study are to identify optimal condition for preparing frankincense essential oil that possesses potent anti-tumor activity, and to evaluate the activity in both cultured human pancreatic cancer cells and a xenograft mouse cancer model. Boswellia sacra gum resins were hydrodistilled at 78°C; and essential oil distillate fractions were collected at different durations (Fraction I at 0–2 h, Fraction II at 8–10 h, and Fraction III at 11–12 h). Hydrodistillation of the second half of gum resins was performed at 100°C; and distillate was collected at 11–12 h (Fraction IV). Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS); and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Frankincense essential oil-modulated pancreatic tumor cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by colorimetric assays. Levels of apoptotic markers, signaling molecules, and cell cycle regulators expression were characterized by Western blot analysis. A heterotopic (subcutaneous) human pancreatic cancer xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate anti-tumor capability of Fraction IV frankincense essential oil in vivo. Frankincense essential oil-induced tumor cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in animals were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Longer duration and higher temperature hydrodistillation produced more abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, in frankincense essential oil fraactions. Human pancreatic cancer cells were sensitive to Fractions III and IV (containing higher molecular weight compounds) treatment with suppressed cell viability and increased cell death. Essential oil activated the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, induced a rapid and transient activation of Akt and Erk1/2, and suppressed levels of cyclin D1 cdk4 expression in cultured pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, Boswellia sacra essential oil Fraction IV exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities against pancreatic tumors in the heterotopic xenograft mouse model. All fractions of frankincense essential oil from Boswellia sacra are capable of suppressing viability and inducing apoptosis of a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Potency of essential oil-suppressed tumor cell viability may be associated with the greater abundance of high molecular weight compounds in Fractions III and IV. Although chemical component(s) responsible for tumor cell cytotoxicity remains undefined, crude essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia sacra gum resins might be a useful alternative therapeutic agent for treating patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis.

A Thin-layer Chromatography Method for the Identification of Three Different Olibanum Resins (Boswellia serrata, Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii, respectively, Boswellia sacra)

Abstract: Introduction Resins of the genus Boswellia are currently an interesting topic for pharmaceutical research since several pharmacological activities (e.g. anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tumour) are reported for extracts and compounds isolated from them. Unambiguous identification of these resins, by simple and convenient analytical methods, has so far not clearly been verified. Objective For differentiation and identification of three important Boswellia species (Boswellia serrata Roxb., Boswellia papyrifera Hochst. and Boswellia carterii Birdw., respectively Boswellia sacra Flueck.), possible even for minimally equipped laboratories, a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method was developed, allowing unambiguous identification of the three species. Methodology Crude resin samples (commercial samples and a voucher specimen) were extracted with methanol or diethyl ether and subjected to TLC analysis (normal phase). A pentane and diethyl ether (2:1) with 1% acetic acid eluent was used. Chromatograms were analysed by UV detection (254 nm) and dyeing with anisaldehyde dyeing reagent. Significant spots were isolated and structures were assigned (mass spectrometry; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). Results Incensole and incensole acetate are specific biomarkers for Boswellia papyrifera. Boswellia carterii/Boswellia sacra reveal s-caryophyllene oxide as a significant marker compound. Boswellia serrata shows neither incensole acetate nor s-caryophyllene oxide spots, but can be identified by a strong serratol and a sharp 3-oxo-8,24-dien-tirucallic acid spot. Conclusion The TLC method developed allows unambiguous identification of three different olibanum samples (Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia serrata, Boswellia carterii/Boswellia sacra). Evidence on the specific biosynthesis routes of these Boswellia species is reported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of four commercial grades of Omani luban, the oleo-gum resin of Boswellia sacra FLUECK.

Abstract: The essential oil compositions of four botanically certified and commercially available samples of Omani lubans (oleo-gum resins of Boswellia sacra Flueck.), locally known as Hoojri, Najdi, Shathari, and Shaabi in Jibali Arabic, obtained from plants growing in four different geographic locations of the Dhofar region of Oman, were analyzed by GC-FID, GC/MS, and (13) C-NMR spectroscopy. The market price of these four grades of lubans differed considerably, according to their color, clump size, and texture. However, this study revealed that Hoojri, the first grade luban, and Shaabi, the fourth grade luban, which greatly differed in their price, closely resembled each other in their essential oil composition, yield, and physicochemical characteristics, except the color and texture. The composition, yield, and specific rotation of the oils of Najdi and Shathari, the second and the third grade lubans, respectively, were different from those of Hoojri and Shaabi, but they both had high limonene contents. Najdi oil was different from the other three oils in terms of its high myrcene content. α-Pinene was the principal component in all the oils and can be considered as a chemotaxonomical marker that confirms the botanical and geographical source of the resins. All the oils showed pronounced activity against a panel of bacteria, and the trend in their bioactivity and their mode of action are discussed.

Proximate analysis of the resins and leaves of Boswellia sacra

Abstract: The analysis of the proximate composition of the leaves and various grades of resins obtained from Boswellia sacra was performed using standard methods of AOAC. The resins and leaves analyzed in this study were found to have the following ranges of the proximate composition: moisture (5.41 to 11.54%), dry matter (88.45 to 94.58%), alcohol soluble extractive (14.09 to 64.84%), ash (1.02 to 6.66%), crude fats (6.90 to 85.36%), nitrogen (0.04 to 0.18%), proteins (0.25 to 1.14%), carbohydrates (13.30 to 74.15%), and energy value (360.80 to 822.53 kcal/100 g). The leaves of B. sacra were found to have higher concentration of ash, fiber, and carbohydrates, but low in fats, energy value, and alcohol extractives as compared to the resins. Unlike leaves, all the resins were found to be excellent source of lipids and consequently higher in energy. Key words: Frankincense, proximate analysis, Boswellia sacra, moisture analyzer, Kjeldahl.

Antimicrobial activities of essential oil and methanol extract of Boswellia sacra Flueck. and Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst from Djibouti

Abstract: Boswellia sacra and Boswellia papyrifera belong to the family of Burseraceae. The daily and ritual use of Boswellia is characteristic cultural of the horn of Africa which transcends the ethical and religious memberships. Plants samples of Boswellia sacra and Boswellia papyrifera were collected in Djibouti. The essential oil and methanol extracts of each plant were collected. They were evaluated for its antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The essential oil and methanol extract of Boswellia showed activity against bacterial species than against yeast.

Chemotaxonomic investigations on resins of the frankincense species Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia serrata and Boswellia sacra, respectively, Boswellia carterii : a qualitative and quantitative approach by chromatographic and spectroscopic methodology

Abstract: Extracts from the resin exudates of the frankincense tree again returned into the focus of pharmacological research within the last 20 years. So far, several research groups reported on promising anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and even anti-tumour effects (in vitro and in vivo). The Boswellic acids are regarded as one of the most potent active agents thereof. However, the resins still contain innumerable amounts of terpenoid compounds. Their interactions, when administered as an extract, are not really understood hitherto. In addition, the information given in literature as to which molecular entity refers to which species has not been clearly verified in several publications. Thus, this work reports on qualitative and quantitative analytical methods (LC, GC, TLC, MS and NMR), which enable the unequivocal identification of the common incense species Boswellia papyrifera (Eritrea, Ethiopia), Boswellia serrata (India) and Boswellia sacra (Oman, Yemen), respectively, Boswellia carterii (Somalia). Based on these results, a general, though not yet empirically verified, hypothesis on the biosynthetic routes has been postulated. Besides, a partial-synthetic method for the enrichment of one compound (Incensole acetate) was developed. In cooperation with Prof. Werz (Jena) a few of the isolated compounds were tested to evaluate their pharmacological potential. The results delivered evidence on possible synergistic effects which were partly based on decompositions of single molecules. Weihrauchharzbaumextrakte sind innerhalb der letzten 20 Jahre wieder verstarkt in den Fokus der pharmakologischen Forschung geruckt. So wurden bis dato verschiedenste in vitro und in vivo Arbeiten mit Hinweisen auf anti-inflammatorische, anti-mikrobielle und sogar zytostatischer Wirkung veroffentlicht. Als potenteste Wirkstoffklasse werden die Boswelliasauren angesehen. Jedoch beinhalten diese Harze noch eine unzahlbare Menge an terpenoiden Verbindungen, deren Zusammenspiel, wenn als Extrakt verabreicht, bisher noch ganzlich unbekannt ist. Hinzu kommt, dass die Angaben in der Literatur, welche molekulare Entitat von welcher Harzsorte stammt, oft noch divergieren. Diese Arbeit liefert qualitative und quantitative analytische Methoden (LC, GC, DC, MS und NMR), die eine eindeutige Identifizierung der drei weitverbreiteten Weihrauchspezies Boswellia papyrifera (Eritrea, Athiopien), Boswellia serrata (Indien) und Boswellia sacra (Oman, Yemen) bzw. Boswellia carterii (Somalia) ermoglichen. Auf Basis dieser Ergebnisse ist eine Hypothese zur Biosynthese aufgestellt worden. Auserdem wurde eine partialsynthetische Methode zur Anreicherung eines potentiellen Wirkstoffkandidaten (Incensol-Acetat) entwickelt. In Zusammenarbeit mit Prof. Werz (Jena) wurden einige der hier isolierten Verbindungen auf ihre pharmakologische Wirkung hin untersucht. Die Resultate lieferten Hinweise auf mogliche synergistische Effekte, die zum Teil auf Zersetzungsprodukten der Molekule beruhten.

Distribution Boswellia sacra in Dhofar Mountains, Sultanate of Oman: Economic Value and Environmental Role

Abstract: Boswellia sacra from Burseraceae family, grows wild in dry hot lands of southern part of Oman (Dhofar), where the water is limited and the land unsuitable for traditional agriculture purpose. Boswellia sacra is a multipurpose tree, but more famous for its high value olibanum. The olibanum is used for ritual and in church ceremonies worldwide, traditional medicines, pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetics, chewing, painting, food flavouring. In addition to this, the species has other numerous environmental, historical, and socio-economical benefits. This study is based on literature reviews, and on the interview local people, as well as on personal field experiences. The objective is to introduce the importance of the species and to study the native habitats, the distribution, and the harvesting techniques. The soil is carbonitic, isohyperthermic, lithic torriothent, poor in mineral elements. The olibanum produces when the tree tapped by making a thin vertical slicing into the tree trunk. Initial size should be about 18 cm 2 (3 × 6 cm) and 1-2 mm in depth and the diameter tree trunk should be not less than 10 cm. Tree tapping should be stopped 2-3 weeks before the rain season. The method of tree tapping and olibanum collection need to be revised for long-term tree protection.