Review of the Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Effects, Pharmacokinetics, and Quality Control of Boswellia carterii

Objective. This review aimed to systematically summarize studies that investigated the bioactivities of compounds and extracts from Boswellia. Methods. A literature review on the pharmacological properties and phytochemicals of B. carterii was performed. The information was retrieved from secondary databases such as PubMed, Chemical Abstracts Services (SciFinder), Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Results. The various Boswellia extracts and compounds demonstrated pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antitumour, and antioxidant activities. B. carterii exhibited a positive effect on the treatment and prevention of many ageing diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusion. Here, we highlight the pharmacological properties and phytochemicals of B. carterii and propose further evidence-based research on plant-derived remedies and compounds.

Nano-Magnetic NiFe2O4 and Its Photocatalytic Oxidation of Vanillyl Alcohol—Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in the Valorization of Lignin

Here, we report on a phyto-mediated bimetallic (NiFe2O4) preparation using a Boswellia carterii extract, which was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TGA, electron microscopy, magnetic spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. The prepared nano-catalysts were tested for oxidation of lignin monomer molecules—vanillyl alcohol and cinnamyl alcohol. In comparison with previously reported methods, the nano NiFe2O4 catalysts showed high photocatalytic activity and selectivity, under visible light irradiation with a nitroxy radical initiator (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl; TEMPO) at room temperature and aerobic conditions. The multifold advantages of the catalyst both in terms of reduced catalyst loading and ambient temperature conditions were manifested by higher conversion of the starting material.

The Efficacy of Boswellia carterii Oleogel in Pain Relief and Functional Improvement Among Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Triple-Blind Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a topical herbal extract, Boswellia carterii (BC), on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) versus placebo in a randomized, controlled trial (RCT). Methods: The current study was conducted on 36 patients with mild or moderate levels of bilateral CTS (both hands were involved in all the subjects). Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups receiving either topical oleogel of BC or placebo for six weeks. All the patients were instructed to use wrist splinting; 29 subjects completed the study. The efficacy of topical BC in symptom relief and functional improvement of CTS was evaluated two and six weeks after the intervention using the Visual Analogue scale (VAS) for pain, pain-free grip strength (PFGS), Nerve Conduction study (NCS), and Boston CTS questionnaire (BQ). Results: The subjects in both groups had similar demographics and baseline clinical features. The topical use of BC oleogel led to a significant improvement in VAS scores, symptoms severity score (SSS), functional status scale (FSS), and PFGS in comparison with the baseline level. The baseline VAS score of the intervention group was 5.7 ± 2.9, which decreased to 3.4 ± 1.5 two weeks and 2.7 ± 2.1 six weeks after the intervention (P-value = 0.001). SSS decreased from 29.53 ± 9.4 to 20.93 ± 6.4 and 18.80 ± 6.8 in the same follow-up time points, respectively (P-value = 0.001). The corresponding figures related to FSS were 18.35 ± 6.1, 15.07 ± 7.0, and 12.93 ± 3.79, respectively (P-value = 0.007). PFGS was 6.9 ± 2.6 at pre-intervention, which increased to 7.29 ± 1.7 and 7.65 ± 1.8 two and six weeks after treatment, respectively (P-value = 0.01). Except for grip-strength, the improvement was significantly superior to that of the placebo group. Both VAS and SSS indicated that the topical oleogel of BC achieved a better symptom relief than placebo. On the other hand, no remarkable preference was observed between the two groups in terms of improvement in electrodiagnostic parameters (P ⟩ 0.05). Conclusions: According to the current study findings, the topical application of BC oleogel among patients with CTS improved pain and functional status, remarkably more than placebo. However, no significant changes were observed in electrodiagnostic parameters.

Antifungal Activities of Boswellia carterii Resin on Fungal Strains Producing of Mycotoxins Isolated from Semolina Samples and Their Derivatives by Thin Layer Chromatography Method and Elisa Technique

Mold growth is among the major causes of health impairment of cereals, in particular durum wheat (Triticum durum) for the synthesis of mycotoxins such as aflatoxins B1 and ochratoxin A (OTA), originally from poisoning in the consumer. In this context, the objectives of this work is the search and characterization of fungal strains Producers mycotoxins such as Aspergillus, Penicillium in semolina and their derivatives (traditional and industrial couscous) and detect and quantify total aflatoxins, aflatoxins B1 and ochratoxin mycotoxicologique to assess the risk associated with the consumption of these foods. In this regard, our work focuses on mycological and mycotoxicologique study of semolina and couscous deemed most commercialized in the town of Bechar-Algeria after a socio-economic survey. The mycological study testifies the high degree of pollution of our samples by Aspergillus, Penicillium. The expertise of genera reveals the high degree of invasion of our samples by Aspergillus, Penicillium. The examination of fungal procession characterizing our samples shows a very high index of distribution, or of fidelity of Penicillium 43.75% of our sample and 28.38% Aspergillus. The presence of these species is evidence that our samples have been abused, but especially poorly stored; should be noted the involvement of the genera Alternaria 7.10%, Fusarium 13.70%. Thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis revealed that 50% of Aspergillus flavus-parasiticus strains were aflatoxin G-producing and aflatoxin B-free in our samples. Of the Aspergillus ochraceus strains 50% were OTA producers. The presumption of toxicity of the various samples appeared positive on TLC. The test of Elisa has confirmed the presence of the OTA in our samples, the analysis of its results shows that the majority of the rates of OTA taken on our analyzed samples follow the European standard, these rates are between 1.01 and 1.9, except for one sample (couscous) which has shown a rate much higher than the standard recommended by the regulation (> 100 ppb), the samples of semolina had a rate of OTA lower than the beginning of the detection (1 ppb). The results of the presence of AFB spread out between 4.93 ppb and > 40 ppb. The antifungal activity of the resin of Boswellia carterii was tested on the following strains: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium expansum. And kneaded according to the technique of diagonal growth on intermediate solid medium (PDA). The results showed that the yield of the aqueous extract varied between 96.2 and 99.8%. The results of the extracts also showed activity against the fungi studied 48.6% and 96.2%.