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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Boswellia serrata (Indian Frankincense)

Boswellic acids, the major constituent of Gummi Boswellii, are thought to contribute to most
of the herb’s pharmacological activities. Animal studies and clinical trials support the potential
of Gummi Boswellii for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma. In inflammatory response, the
molecular targets of Gummi Boswellii are inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1,
serine protease cathepsin G, and suppression of leukotriene formation via inhibition of 5-
lipoxygenase which are attributed to boswellic acids such as β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-
boswellic acid and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (Safayhi et al., 1997; Siemoneit et al., 2009;
Kunnumakkara et al., 2009; Abdel et al., 2011). In an open multi-centre veterinary clinical trial,
administration of Gummi Boswellii (400 mg/10 kg of body weight/day) in dogs with chronic
joint and spinal disease reduced the severity and resolution of clinical signs such as intermittent
lameness, local pain and stiff gait in 6 weeks (Reichling et al., 2004).

Toxicity for Gummi Boswellii has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally in therapeutic
TOXICOLOGY established at >2 g/kg of body weight (Singh & Atal, 1986). 50
doses. In toxicity studies of Gummi Boswellii extract in rats and mice, the oral and intraperitoneal LD has been

Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: >40 g PO and IP of Gummi Boswellii extract.
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat:
>10 g PO and IP of Gummi Boswellii extract.

DRUG Validated interactions studies do not exist for Gummi Boswellii preparations. Clinical interactions
INTERACTIONS with other drugs have not been reported.

Phyllanthus emblica (Indian Gooseberry)

Fructus Phyllanthi, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, is an important herbal
drug used in Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine to treat various disorders including
arthritis. Fructus Phyllanthi is highly nutritious and could be an important dietary source of
vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals (Krishnaveni & Mirunalini, 2010). Fructus Phyllanthi has
been found to induce a statistically significant chondroprotective activity in articular cartilage
explants culture from osteoarthritis patients (Sumantran et al., 2008). Fructus Phyllanti also
induces apoptosis of osteoclasts which can prevent joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis
(Penolazzi et al., 2008). It has been proposed that the immunomodulatory properties of the
extracts of Fructus Phyllanti may be beneficial in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
(Ganju et al., 2003).

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