Showing papers on "Boswellia sacra published in 2018"

Chemical, molecular and structural studies of Boswellia species: β-Boswellic Aldehyde and 3-epi-11β-Dihydroxy BA as precursors in biosynthesis of boswellic acids.

Abstract: The distribution and biosynthesis of boswellic acids (BAs) is scarce in current literature. Present study aims to elucidate the BAs biosynthetic and its diversity in the resins of Boswellia sacra and Boswellia papyrifera. Results revealed the isolation of new (3β, 11β-dihydroxy BA) and recently known (as new source, β-boswellic aldehyde) precursors from B. sacra resin along with α-amyrin. Following this, a detailed nomenclature of BAs was elucidated. The quantification and distribution of amyrins (3-epi-α-amyrin, β-amyrin and α-amyrin) and BAs in different Boswellia resins showed highest amyrin and BAs in B. sacra as compared with B. serrata and B. papyrifera. Distribution of BAs significantly varied in the resin of B. sacra collected from dry mountains than coastal trees. In B. sacra, high content of α-amyrin was found in the roots but it lacked β-amyrin and BAs. The leaf part showed traces of β-ABA and AKBA but was deficient in amyrins. This was further confirmed by lack of transcript accumulation of amyrin-related biosynthesis gene in leaf part. In contrast, the stem showed presence of all six BAs which are attributed to existence of resin-secretory canals. In conclusion, the boswellic acids are genus-specific chemical constituents for Boswellia species albeit the variation of the amounts among different Boswellia species and grades.

Quantification of AKBA in Boswellia sacra Using NIRS Coupled with PLSR as an Alternative Method and Cross-Validation by HPLC

Abstract: Introduction 3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), one of the pentacyclic triterpenoids, is the main biologically active constituent in the resin of Boswellia sacra and has received significant pharmacological interest in recent years. Objective It was aimed to develop a robust method to quantify the AKBA content in methanolic extracts of different parts of B. sacra plants and in various fractions of its resin exudates through near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with partial least squares regression (PLSR). Material and Methods The near-infrared (NIR) spectra were used to measure the AKBA standards and B. sacra samples at a wavelength range between 700 and 2500 nm in absorption mode. A PLSR model was built from the obtained spectral data using 70% of the AKBA working standard solutions (training set), ranging from 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm. The final PLSR showed a R2 value of 99% with a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) value of 0.39% and a R2 value of 99%. Results The results showed that a 50% CHCl3/n-hexane sub-fraction has the highest concentration of AKBA (14.8%), followed by 55% CHCl3/n-hexane (13.6%), and 40% CHCl3/n-hexane (6.1%). Conclusion As the results achieved with the proposed NIRS methodology are in close agreement to the results of AKBA analysis using HPLC, we suggest that our proposed NIRS method is a fast alternative and non-destructive method for the analysis of AKBA in different samples of B. sacra. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Regulation of endogenous phytohormones and essential metabolites in frankincense-producing Boswellia sacra under wounding stress

Abstract: Boswellia sacra is an economically and ecologically important frankincense-producing tree, which is wounded to extract the aromatic resin. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms following this wounding stress are unknown. Our current goal was to elucidate the regulation of key physio-molecular determinants of wounded and preserved B. sacra populations. Wounding caused a twofold increase in calcium/magnesium content and a reduction in essential macronutrient (nitrogen) levels. Total amino acids were also reduced 1.74-fold; however, the levels of γ-amino butyric acid, hydroxyl-proline, and β-alanine were significantly higher (1- to 2.2-fold). In contrast, the fatty acids (linolenic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids) were significantly higher in the preserved trees. Endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) was also significantly higher (67%) in the wounded trees, as was the expression of the JA-related genes allene oxide synthase and allene oxide cyclase. A similar twofold increase in stress-responsive abscisic acid was observed in the wounded trees. However, salicylic acid was down-regulated, and the pathogenesis-related genes PR1 and PR3 exhibited varying responses in the wounded plants. The presence of physiologically active (GA1, GA4, and GA3) and inactive (GA12, GA19, and GA20) gibberellins in both the wounded and control trees revealed similarity with the known GA biosynthesis in B. sacra. Both GA4 and GA3 were each significantly synthesized, which were buoyed by the increased expressions of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and gibberellin 20 oxidases under wounding stress. In conclusion, B. sacra responds to extraction of resin by regulating essential endogenous hormones and related transcripts, which in return retard tree growth and development.

Endogenous phytohormones of frankincense producing Boswellia sacra tree populations.

Abstract: Boswellia sacra, an endemic tree to Oman, is exposed to man-made incisions for commercial level frankincense production, whereas unsustainable harvesting may lead to population decline. In this case, assessment of endogenous phytohormones (gibberellic acid (GA), indole-acetic acid (IAA), salicylic acid (SA) and kinetin) can help to understand population health and growth dynamics. Hence, it was aimed to devise a robust method using Near-Infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with multivariate methods for phytohormone analysis of thirteen different populations of B. sacra. NIRS data was recorded in absorption mode (10000–4000 cm-1) to build partial least squares regression model (calibration set 70%). Model was externally cross validated (30%) as a test set to check their prediction ability before the application to quantify the unknown amount of phytohormones in thirteen different populations of B. sacra. The results showed that phytohormonal contents varied significantly, showing a trend of SA>GA/IAA>kinetin across different populations. SA and GA contents were significantly higher in Pop13 (Hasik), followed by Pop2 (Dowkah)–an extreme end of B. sacra tree cover in Dhofar region. A similar trend in the concentration of phytohormones was found when the samples from 13 populations were subjected to advance liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometer and gas chromatograph with selected ion monitor analysis. The current analysis provides alternative tool to assess plant health, which could be important to in situ propagation of tree population as well as monitoring tree population growth dynamics.

Increasing Boswellia sacra seeds’ germination viability and genetic variability utilizing various methods

Abstract: The medicinally and historically significant plant species Boswellia sacra, shown to be effective in addressing numerous illnesses and stabilizing desertification in arid areas, has been noted for having an extremely low germination rate. The low rate of genetic variation among wild stands, which is leading to a possible genetic bottleneck, is exacerbated by the common practice of vegetative propagation through tree cuttings in cultivated stands, which produces clones. Stimulation of seeds to germinate under various conditions at Kibbutz Ketura, Israel was attempted in order to increase genetic variability. Seeds were collected from three source locations and screened via sink tests to identify viable seeds as those that were heavy enough to sink in water. The greatest amount of viable seeds came from a tree in Kibbutz Naot Smadar, which was 400 m above sea level and had a higher germination rate (by a factor of four) than those from trees at elevations much closer to sea level. This conspicuous correlation is discussed as a reason for future research to further understand causes and ways of addressing the extraordinarily low regeneration rate of both wild and cultivated stands.

Phytochemical profiling and Ovicidal efficacy of Boswellia sacra Resin extracts against the filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract: Vector control is facing a threat due to emergence of resistance to synthetic insecticides. Insecticides of plant origin may serve as suitable alternative to synthetic insecticides in future. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate ovicidal activity of solvent extracts of resin of Boswellia sacra against vector mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. B. sacra extracts of acetone, chloroform and ethanol were tested against the eggs of Cx. quinquefasciatus at different concentrations. The data were subjected to statistical analysis and was found to be significant. Results revealed that acetone extract of B. sacra possessed strong ovicidal activity. Phytochemical profiling of the extracts showed the presence of many secondary metabolites, which might be reason for its high efficacy. The present investigation lead the path of exploration of B. sacra resin for eradication of selected medically important human vector mosquitoes, thereby gaining a real momentum to include this resin for intense vector control programme.

Compositions comprising boswellia sacra for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract: The invention describes compositions containing Boswellia sacra and formulations thereof in the form of soft capsules useful for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.