Boswellia serrata Extract as an Antibiofilm Agent against Candida spp.

The use of antibiotics or antifungals to control infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms is currently insufficiently effective because of their emerging resistance. Thanks to the ability of microorganisms to form a biofilm and thus increase their resistance to administered drugs even more, modern medicine faces the task of finding novel substances to combat infections caused by them. In this regard, the effects of essential oils or plant extracts are often studied. Among the relatively neglected plants is Boswellia serrata, which has a high content of biologically active boswellic acids. In this study, we focused on one of the most common nosocomial infections, which are caused by Candida species. The most common representative is C. albicans, although the number of infections caused by non-albicans species has recently been increasing. We focused on the antifungal activity of Boswellia serrata extract Bioswellix against planktonic and adhering cells of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei. The antifungal activity against adhering cells was further explored by determining the metabolic activity of cells (MTT) and determining the total amount of biofilm using crystal violet. Boswellic acid-containing plant extract was shown to suppress the growth of a suspension population of all tested Candida species. Boswellia serrata extract Bioswellix was most effective in inhibiting C. albicans biofilm formation.

Safety Evaluation of Natural Drugs in Chronic Skeletal Disorders: A Literature Review of Clinical Trials in the Past 20 years

Chronic skeletal disorders (CSDs), including degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis (OP) and autoimmune disorders, have become a leading cause of disability in an ageing society, with natural drugs being indispensable therapeutic options. The clinical safety evaluation (CSE) of natural drugs in CSDs has been given priority and has been intensively studied. To provide fundamental evidence for the clinical application of natural drugs in the elderly population, clinical studies of natural drugs in CSDs included in this review were selected from CNKI, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar since 2001. Seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met our inclusion criteria: four articles were on OP, seven on osteoarthritis (OA), four on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and two on gout. Common natural drugs used for the treatment of OP include Epimedium brevicornu Maxim [Berberidaceae], Dipsacus asper Wall ex DC [Caprifoliaceae] root, and Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi (Breda) Blume & Rchb. f[ Orchidaceae], which have been linked to several mild adverse reactions, such as skin rash, gastric dysfunction, abnormal urine, constipation and irritability. The safety of Hedera helix L [Araliaceae] extract, Boswellia serrata Roxb [Burseraceae] extract and extract from perna canaliculus was evaluated in OA and upper abdominal pain, and unstable movements were obsrerved as major side effects. Adverse events, including pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infection, were reported when RA was treated with Tripterygium wilfordii, Hook. F [Celastraceae][TwHF] polyglycosides and quercetin (Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik [Brassicaceae]). The present review aimed to summarize the CSE results of natural drugs in CSDs and could provide evidence-based information for clinicians.

Estimationof Biomass and Carbon Sequestration by Non-Destructive Method in Dry Deciduous Forest of Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, India

The study aims to assess the plant biomass and carbon storage potential of the forests of Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, India. The study was carried out in Satanwada Range in Shivpuri Forest Division. A total of 96 quadrats of 10×10 m2 were laid. The non-destructive algometric method was used to estimate carbon sequestration. The results show that Acacia catechu (202 individuals/ha) dominated the forest, followed by Anogeissus pendula (90 individuals/ha). The total biomass of the forest was estimated to be 34.72±0.41t/ha, with Boswellia serrata (7.943t) recording the highest. The minimum biomass was recorded for Grewia sp (0.06t). The highest carbon content was found in B. serrata (3.97t; 25 individuals) followed by A. Catechu (2.92t; 195 individuals). Although A. catechu was dominant in the area, due to its lower girth class and young age, the net carbon storage was less than that of B. serrata. It was found that plots with higher carbon stock had higher species richness than plots composed of single species. Therefore, plantations of mixed native species should be preferred for future restoration activities as they are more efficient in sequestrating carbon than monoculture plantations.

Efficacy of standardized novel Boswellia serrata extract in the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model - potential use in gut health management

Background: Objective of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of a novel standardized Boswellia serrata extract–bsRx (developed using natural excipients and designed to have specific ratio of its major actives, viz. AKBA and BBA) in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced IBD model in BALB/c mice.Methods: Animals (BALB/c mice) in control (CL) group were administered vehicle; DSS-induced colitis group (DSS group), 2.5 % DSS; and Boswellia serrata group (BS group) received DSS, for inducing colitis, together with a novel standardized extract of Boswellia serrata (41 mg/kg, 4.1 mg/ml solution in distilled water) for 10 days. Reference group (SS group) received DSS with sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/ml suspension in distilled water) for 10 days. Clinical assessment for disease activity index (DAI), histopathological examination and hematological assessments were performed.Results: Treatment with Boswellia serrata showed significant reduction in the DAI score on day 10 compared to the DSS group (2.49±0.93 versus 3.63±0.55, p≤0.05). Body weight (18.54±2.21 gm versus 17.05±3.53 gm) and colon length (6.8±0.9 cm versus 7.6±0.6 cm, p≤0.05) also improved in the BS group compared to DSS group, respectively. Histological scoring of colitis was lower in the BS group (10.1±1.37). There was no difference in leukotriene levels between groups (p>0.05).Conclusions: Treatment with novel Boswellia serrata extract improved colon length, DAI and histological scoring index in DSS-induced colitis in IBD mice models. Our results indicate the promising potential of novel Boswellia extract in IBD and gut health management.