Search

The discovery of novel antitumor agents derived from natural plants is a principal objective of anticancer drug research. Frankincense, a widely recognized natural antitumor medicine, has undergone a systematic review encompassing its species, chemical constituents, and diverse pharmacological activities and mechanisms. The different species of frankincense include Boswellia serrata, Somali frankincense, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia arabica. Various frankincense extracts and compounds exhibit antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties and antioxidation, memory enhancement, and immunological regulation capabilities. They also have comprehensive effects on regulating flora. Frankincense and its principal chemical constituents have demonstrated promising chemoprophylactic and therapeutic abilities against tumors. This review provides a systematic summary of the mechanism of action underlying the antitumor effects of frankincense and its major constituents, thus laying the foundations for developing effective tumor-combating targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the synthesis of a sensitive AKBA-Based fluorescent “Turn off” chemosensor for rapid detection of abamectin residues in tomatoes. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by using 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (β-AKBA) by chemical reduction method. The characterization of AKBA-AgNPs was performed by UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average particle size of NPs was found to be 46.2 ± 2 nm with lumps of macro-sized particles. TEM data further revealed that nanoparticles were polydispersed and spherical in shape and also show good stability at high temperatures and pH. The biosensing properties of nanoparticles were studied for the detection of abamectin residues in tomato samples. Abamectin a natural product derived from the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis is effective against a wide range of pests. In sensing protocol 67 organic tomato samples were segregated into 34 (safe group, without a spray of abamectin) and 33 samples (as an unsafe group, sprayed with abamectin insecticide solution). Emission spectra of these sample solutions were measured in the wavelength range of 450–530 nm, excitation wavelength was fixed at 488 nm. The effect of minor wavelength variation for the discrimination and classification of the two groups was investigated by applying two chemometric methods including partial least square discriminant analysis and principal component analysis with projection. The mechanism of its interaction between the AKBA-Ag NPs and abamectin residue was also established through UV/visible, FTIR, and TEM microscopy. This newly synthesized nanoparticle was found to have excellent stability at variables, i.e., temperature, storage period, salt concentration, and pH. Therefore, the synthesized Ag NPs are potential candidates for biosensing applications against abamectin.

Boswellia serrata ole-gum-resin extracts (BSEs) are commonly used as food supplements, especially in osteoarthritis management. The quality standard is established by determining 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid (AKBA) content using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or assessing the total boswellic acid (TBA) content by titrimetry. The limited geographical distribution of Boswellia species and increasing industrial demand could increase the risk of adulteration in Boswellia-containing products. In this study, 14 BSEs from commercial sources, used in food supplements, were analyzed in comparison with a USP Reference Standard extract. The KBA and AKBA content was determined by HPLC, whereas the TBA content was determined by titration. Targeted UHPLC-high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was applied to identify the carboxylic acid content in the samples. The 1H NMR spectra of extracts were also analyzed. Only two products met the criteria for KBA and AKBA content. Although, the TBA content complied with the expected amount, 10 extracts contained citric acid levels of 6–11% even though citric acid is not a cha-racteristic component of BSEs. Our results suggest undeclared addition of citric acid to comply with declared contents of TBA when using titration methods. Incorporation of citric acid to industrial samples – in order to alter the outcomes of the titration analysis – was demonstrated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study evaluated the immediate effect of different herbal solutions in oral use on the tensile strength of the sutures used in oral surgical procedures. Three frequently used suture materials, polyglactin 910 (PGA), poliglecaprone (PGCL), and polypropylene (PP), were chosen in a 4-0-gauge size. The sutures' tensile stress was evaluated before being immersed (baseline) and after immersion at 24 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks in four different media: artificial saliva, chlorhexidine, Commiphora myrrh, and frankincense. The tensile strength was assessed by applying a 50 N load at a standardized speed of 2 mm/min. The data were analyzed using one-way and three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey post hoc test with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05 significance level. The mean values of the maximum load showed a significant statistical difference across the three types of sutures (PGA, PGCL, and PP). The mean tensile strength of the PP suture was statistically lower than that of the other sutures. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean tensile strength of the PGA suture when stored in chlorohexidine media and the PGCL suture for frankincense media. The tensile strength for all sutures was the lowest value when immersed in Commiphora myrrh media. Home-prepared herbal solutions can affect the tensile strength and maximum load of suture materials. Careful and controlled use of herbal solutions after any dental surgical procedures is advisable.

Historically, Boswellia resin, commonly known as frankincense, has been used for a variety of applications, including medicinal purposes and in religious ceremonies. These practices continued into the modern era, in which the trade of resin has increased dramatically. The genus Boswellia contains many species that are not currently protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), but research has found that some of these populations are predicted to decrease by 50 % in the next two decades due to overexploitation (Bongers et al., 2019). This highlights the need for a method that can identify Boswellia resins. In this research, resin from nine different species of Boswellia were collected and analyzed in positive ion mode by Direct Analysis in Real Time Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry (DART TOFMS) by dissolving the resin in methanol to obtain a chemotype devoid of background noise. Chemometric analysis of the data indicated that positive ion spectra from the resins separated the species effectively, indicating that DART TOFMS can be used to identify resins in trade.

Boswellia trees, found throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, are the source of frankincense oil. Since antiquity, frankincense has been traded as a precious commodity, but it has also been used for the treatment of chronic disease, inflammation, oral health, and microbial infection. More recently, the bioactive components of Boswellia trees have been identified and characterized for their effects on cancer, microbial infection (especially infection by oral pathogens), and inflammation. Most studies have focused on cell lines, but more recent research has also investigated effects in animal models of disease. As natural products are considered to be safer than synthetic drugs, there is growing interest in further developing the use of substances such as frankincense oil for therapeutic treatment.

Introduction: Frankincense preparations are frequently used as traditional antiinflammatory remedies in folk medicine with increasing popularity. Boswellic acids (BAs), especially 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-βBA (AKBA), are unique anti-inflammatory principles of frankincense, with multiple pharmacological actions and target proteins. We recently showed that AKBA favorably impacts lipid mediator (LM) networks in innate immune cells, by modulation of lipoxygenase (LOX) activities. Thus, AKBA binds to allosteric sites in 5-LOX, shifting the regiospecificity to a 12/ 15-lipoxygnating enzyme, and to an analogous site in 15-LOX-1, leading to enzyme activation, which favors specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) formation at the expense of leukotriene production. Methods: Here, we investigated Boswellin super® (BSR), a commercially available frankincense extract with ≥30% AKBA, used as remedy that approved efficacy in osteoarthritis trials, for its ability to modulate LM pathways in human monocytederived macrophage (MDM) phenotypes, neutrophils, and neutrophil/platelet coincubations. LM profiling was performed by using targeted ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS). Results: BSR concentration-dependently (10--100 μg/ml) suppressed formation of pro-inflammatory 5-LOX products including LTB4 in exotoxin-stimulated M1- MDM and neutrophils, and strongly elevated 12/15-LOX products and SPM in activated M2-MDM and neutrophil/platelet cocultures, starting at 10 μg/mL. Also, BSR (≥10 μg/mL) induced robust 12/15-LOX product and SPM generation in resting M2-MDM, which was further markedly elevated when exogenous docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosahexaenoic acid (EPA) were supplied, and induced translocation of 15-LOX from a soluble to a particulate locale in M2 MDM. Discussion: We conclude that BSR especially when co-added with DHA and EPA, promotes the LM class switch in innate immune cells from pro-inflammatory to pro-resolving mediators, which might be a plausible mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of BSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oleogum resins extracted from Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) and Commiphora myrrha (Myrrha) have been traditionally used to facilitate wound healing and address skin injuries. Moreover, they have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that their combination can be effective in wound healing. In this study, we evaluated the effects of methanol extracts from two oleogum resins, Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) and Commiphora myrrha (Myrrha), as well as their combination on cell migration promotion and wound healing in human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFa). Methods: The methanol extracts of B. sacra (BS) and C. myrrha (CM) and their combination were tested to determine their optimum cytoprotective concentrations using the AlamarBlue assay. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also evaluated using a DCFDA detector. To assess cell migration promotion and wound healing properties of the extracts, a scratch wound closure assay was performed in HDFa cells and the images were analyzed using ImageJ software. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the activation of fibroblast migrationassociated protein extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Results: Using the viability assay, the optimum non-cytotoxic concentrations of the extracts (10 and 20 µg/ml) were chosen to evaluate their wound healing effects on HDFa cells. BS, CM and BC at 10 and 20 µg/ml significantly reduced H2 O2 -induced ROS levels compared to the control. In the scratch assay, BS and BC, both at 10 µg/ml, could significantly reduce the average wound width compared to the control. Western blot analysis showed that CM significantly increased the pERK/ERK ratio compared to the control. Conclusion: These findings suggest the beneficial effects of both frankincense and myrrh, as well as their combination, in improving proliferation, migration, and thecwound healing process in HDFa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is one of the most common and devastating onion pests which is capable of causing substantial harm to onion crops. Synthetic pesticides are mainly used to control onion thrips. T. tabaci requires alternative, low-impact control measures since there are numerous difficulties with utilizing chemical pesticides, including pesticide resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the nanomaterial compounds on adults and nymphs of the T. tabaci in vivo and study their physiological changes caused by pesticides. The findings demonstrate that using nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and frankincense nanoparticles (FNPs), significantly impacts the number of onion thrips. It also has the potential to lower the risk of pesticide resistance. According to the preliminary results, using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) considerably increased the mortality rate of adults and nymphs of T. tabaci and decreased egg-hatching success. Carbon nanotube (CNTs) and frankincense nanoparticles showed a high death rate in adult and nymphal stages at a concentration of 0.05 percent. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) demonstrated exceptional mortality rates in adult and nymphal stages, with 90 and 50 percent at 5 mg/mL concentrations. Frankincense nanoparticles (FNPs) treatment demonstrated a high adult mortality rate of around 60 percent compared to the control treatment. Eggs of onion thrips showed different hatching success rates after treatment with CNTs and FNPs. The egg hatch rate did not exceed 40 percent of hatched eggs in the CNTs treatment compared to 90 percent in the control treatment. On the other hand, number of laid eggs per female did not differ significantly, indicating that none of the treatments affected the fecundity of the females. The ability of thrips to develop resistance to CNTs and frankincense compounds requires additional investigation. These natural products could be a suitable alternative to control destructive pests like onion thrips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver cancer is a prominent global health concern characterized by prevalent and unregulated exposure to ubiquitous environmental hazards. Phytochemicals, naturally occurring molecules derived from plants, possess inherent qualities that exhibit anticancer effects. Numerous in vitro studies have investigated the potential impact of combining frankincense and myrrh on hepatocellular cancer. However, it is noteworthy that these investigations have yet to be extended to in vivo studies. Purpose: This research aimed to evaluate the consequences of frankincense and myrrh, individually and in combination, on the progression and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. Methods: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected for this research, and thirty-six rats were subjected to intraperitoneal administration of DEN/CCL4. Growth-related parameters, inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants, hepatic function biomarkers, protein fractions, histopathological examination, and gene expression were evaluated. Results: The results showed that frankincense extract (group 2) (500 mg/kg) and myrrh extract (group 4) (500 mg/kg) significantly improved histopathological and biochemical assessments. The combination of both frankincense extract (250 mg/kg) and myrrh extract (250 mg/kg) (group 5) showed the best results in growth-related parameters, biochemical parameters, and histopathological examination. It also inhibited liver cancer cells' movement and invasion and blocked EMT occurrence via suppressing the signaling of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (B-catenin: 1.44 ± 0.06; PCNA: 1.40 ± 0.08; and Cyclin D1: 1.32 ± 0.13). Conclusion: The growth-related parameters, biochemical parameters, histopathological examination, and gene expression confirmed that frankincense extract, myrrh extract, or their combination had a potential therapeutic effect with promising prospects for managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Objective(s): Hepatic encephalopathy induces cognitive disturbances. Patients show neuroinflammation due to accumulation of toxic substances. Frankincense has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, we intended to evaluate the impact of frankincense on memory performance, inflammation, and the amount of hippocampal neurons in bile duct-ligated rats.Materials and Methods: The bile duct was ligated in three groups of adult male Wistar rats (BDL groups). In two of these groups, frankincense was administered (100 or 200 mg/kg; by gavage) starting from one week before surgery to 28 days after surgery. The third BDL group received saline. In the sham group, the bile duct was not ligated and the animals received saline. Twenty-eight days after surgery, spatial memory was evaluated by the Morris water maze test. Five rats from each group were sacrificed to measure the expression of the hippocampal tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Three rats from each group were perfused to determine the amount of hippocampal neurons. Results: Bile duct ligation impaired memory acquisition, while frankincense amended it. Bile duct ligation significantly increased the expression of TNF-α. Frankincense reduced TNF-α in BDL rats, significantly. The number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas was significantly lower in the BDL group and in the group that received frankincense (100 mg/kg) equated to the sham group. Frankincense (200 mg/kg) augmented the amount of neurons in the CA1 area, slightly and in the CA3 area, significantly. Conclusion: The results indicate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of frankincense in bile duct ligation-induced hepatic encephalopathy.

Abstract Objectives Frankincense (Luban) is a resin obtained from trees of genus Boswellia. The south of Oman hosts Boswellia sacra trees known to have many social, religious and medicinal uses. The anti‐inflammatory and therapeutic potential of Luban has recently attracted the interest of the scientific community. The aim is to study the efficacy of Luban water extract and its essential oils on experimentally induced renal stones in rats. Materials and Methods A rat model of urolithiasis induced by trans‐4‐hydroxy‐L‐proline (HLP) was used. Wistar Kyoto rats (27 males, 27 females) were randomly distributed into nine equal groups. Treatment groups were given Uralyt‐U (standard) or Luban (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day), starting Day 15 from HLP induction for a duration of 14 days. The prevention groups were given Luban in similar doses, starting Day 1 of HLP induction for 28 days. Several plasma biochemical and histological parameters were recorded. Data were analysed with GraphPad Software. Comparisons were performed by one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni test. Results The lithogenic effects of HLP, such as an increase in urine oxalate and cystine, an increase in plasma uric acid and an increase in kidney levels of calcium and oxalate, have all been best significantly reversed by the Luban dose of 150 mg/kg/day. The histological changes of HLP on the kidney tissue including calcium oxalate crystal formation, cystic dilatation, high degree of tubular necrosis, inflammatory changes, atrophy and fibrosis have also been ameliorated by Luban dose of 150 mg/kg/day. Conclusion Luban has shown a significant improvement in the treatment and prevention of experimentally induced renal stones, particularly at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day. Further studies on the effect of Luban in other animal models and humans with urolithiasis are warranted.

Introduction: Frankincense preparations are frequently used as traditional anti-inflammatory remedies in folk medicine with increasing popularity. Boswellic acids (BAs), especially 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-βBA (AKBA), are unique anti-inflammatory principles of frankincense, with multiple pharmacological actions and target proteins. We recently showed that AKBA favorably impacts lipid mediator (LM) networks in innate immune cells, by modulation of lipoxygenase (LOX) activities. Thus, AKBA binds to allosteric sites in 5-LOX, shifting the regiospecificity to a 12/15-lipoxygnating enzyme, and to an analogous site in 15-LOX-1, leading to enzyme activation, which favors specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) formation at the expense of leukotriene production.Methods: Here, we investigated Boswellin super® (BSR), a commercially available frankincense extract with ≥30% AKBA, used as remedy that approved efficacy in osteoarthritis trials, for its ability to modulate LM pathways in human monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) phenotypes, neutrophils, and neutrophil/platelet co-incubations. LM profiling was performed by using targeted ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS).Results: BSR concentration-dependently (10–100 μg/ml) suppressed formation of pro-inflammatory 5-LOX products including LTB4 in exotoxin-stimulated M1-MDM and neutrophils, and strongly elevated 12/15-LOX products and SPM in activated M2-MDM and neutrophil/platelet cocultures, starting at 10 μg/mL. Also, BSR (≥10 μg/mL) induced robust 12/15-LOX product and SPM generation in resting M2-MDM, which was further markedly elevated when exogenous docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosahexaenoic acid (EPA) were supplied, and induced translocation of 15-LOX from a soluble to a particulate locale in M2 MDM.Discussion: We conclude that BSR especially when co-added with DHA and EPA, promotes the LM class switch in innate immune cells from pro-inflammatory to pro-resolving mediators, which might be a plausible mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of BSR.

As they continuously evolve, plants will remain a renewable source for antimicrobial compounds. Omani frankincense is produced by B. sacra trees and is graded into Hojari, Nejdi, Shazri or Sha'bi. Air can be a source for pathogenic or food spoilage microbes; thus, inactivating airborne microbes is necessary in environments such as food and animal production areas. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity and the chemistry of steam-distilled oils of Hojari and Sha'bi grades. It also analyzed the antimicrobial activity of frankincense smoke and the size of its solid particles. Chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the oils against Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571), Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC 10662), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani was determined using well diffusion and micro-well dilution methods. A microscopic technique was used to determine the size of frankincense smoke solid particles. Microbes were exposed to frankincense smoke to test their susceptibility to the smoke. Hojari and Sha'bi oils were similar in composition and contained monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The Hojari and the Sha'bi oils possessed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. The largest growth inhibition zones were obtained with S. cerevisiae and F. solani. An MIC of 1.56% (v/v) was found with E. coli, S. cerevisiae and F. solani. Frankincense smoke contained fine irregular solid particles with a diameter range of 0.8–2287.4 µm, and thus may pose a health risk to susceptible individuals. The smoke had potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and airborne bacteria, yeast and mold, with a maximum inhibition of 100%. It was concluded that Hojari and Sha'bi frankincense oils and smoke had significant antimicrobial activity that can be exploited in controlling human, animal and plant pathogenic microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Muntaqa: New Perspectives on Arab Studies is the property of Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective(s): Hepatic encephalopathy induces cognitive disturbances. Patients show neuroinflammation due to accumulation of toxic substances. Frankincense has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, we intended to evaluate the impact of frankincense on memory performance, inflammation, and the amount of hippocampal neurons in bile duct-ligated rats. Materials and Methods: The bile duct was ligated in three groups of adult male Wistar rats (BDL groups). In two of these groups, frankincense was administered (100 or 200 mg/kg; by gavage) starting from one week before surgery to 28 days after surgery. The third BDL group received saline. In the sham group, the bile duct was not ligated and the animals received saline. Twenty-eight days after surgery, spatial memory was evaluated by the Morris water maze test. Five rats from each group were sacrificed to measure the expression of the hippocampal tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Three rats from each group were perfused to determine the amount of hippocampal neurons. Results: Bile duct ligation impaired memory acquisition, while frankincense amended it. Bile duct ligation significantly increased the expression of TNF-α. Frankincense reduced TNF-α in BDL rats, significantly. The number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas was significantly lower in the BDL group and in the group that received frankincense (100 mg/kg) equated to the sham group. Frankincense (200 mg/kg) augmented the amount of neurons in the CA1 area, slightly and in the CA3 area, significantly. Conclusion: The results indicate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of frankincense in bile duct ligation-induced hepatic encephalopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Λιβανωτός is a rare word in the Biblia graeca and means 'frankincense'. It appears once in the canonical Septuagint in 1 Chron 9.29 as part of a list of ingredients which were under the care of the Levites: flour, wine, olive oil, incense and spices. In the Apocrypha, it appears in 3 Macc 5.2 as a drug, together with unmixed wine, for maddening or running elephants wild. Then it is used only in Rev 8.3, 5 in constructions which made lexicographers unanimously define λιβανωτός as a container (censer or brazier). However, when one examines the usage of this noun in Greek writing at large, he or she observes, not without surprise, that λιβανωτός exhibits impressively stable semantics. Virtually everywhere in the history of Greek, the term is a spice (frankincense). Why then should Rev 8.3, 5 be an exception? The study probes into the claim that λιβανωτός means 'censer' in the Johannine Apocalypse, shows how well the regular meaning of incense fits in the scene John witnesses, and draws important implications for the understanding of the text and the lexicographical task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cotton crop faces direct damage from the spiny bollworm, Earias insulana (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A new, safer strategy rather than insecticide is urgently needed for its control. Nanoemulsions based on plant essential oils have a wide range of applications in pesticides and have good insecticidal activity against a wide range of agricultural pests. The purpose of this work was to enhance the efficacy of a Boswellia sacra essential oil-based nanoemulsion (Olibanum NE) formulation with enhanced activity by employing an adjuvant. So, olibanum NE with and without Provecta® and Polyxyethylens glycol 600 di-oleate adjuvants olibanum NE were successfully prepared by a highenergy ultrasonication process method. Then, different parameters were determined for olibanum NE with and without adjuvants. Furthermore, study their effects on the different biological aspects under laboratory conditions. Results cleared that olibanum NE droplet size of 41.30 nm, the PDI was 0.26. While olibanum NE with 0.02 % of Polyxyethylens glycol 600-di-oleate was 62.54 nm and the PDI was 0.62. Also, olibanum NE with 0.02 % of Provecta® was 72.44 nm and the PDI was 0.22, and zeta potential increased when adjuvants were added to olibanum NE. Olibanum NE, with and without adjuvants, exhibited an acidic pH value. Both adjuvantbased olibanum NE reduced the surface tension and contact angle than olibanum NE alone. The Obtained data also indicated that olibanum NE, with and without adjuvants proved to be the most effective compound against the second instar larvae of E. insulana, and the LC50 values after 72 h were 600.07 µL and 723.44 µL, respectively. While olibanum NE alone was 959.38 µL. The larvae feeding of E. insulana on a treated artificial diet with LC50 of olibanum NE with adjuvant led to a complex symptom which proved as higher prolongation for larval and pupa durations than olibanum NE alone and control. And decrease the weight of treated larvae and pupation percentage compared to untreated larvae. Also, there were significant reductions in the number of deposited eggs, hatchability percentages, and fecundity of each female, which were developed after treating the larvae with olibanum NE with Provecta® and olibanum NE with PEG 600 di-oleate, compared with olibanum NE alone and the control. As a result, olibanum NE with adjuvant may be an effective alternative to conventional pesticide formulations and may be significant in the practical application of integrated pest management (IPM) and the production of organic cotton farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic pollution, which includes organic debris and heavy metals, is a severe issue for living things. Copper pollution is hazardous to people, and there is a need to develop effective methods for eliminating it from the environment. To address this issue, a novel adsorbent composed of frankincense-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fr-MMWCNTs) and Fe3O4 [Fr-MWCNT-Fe3O4] was created and subjected to characterization. Batch adsorption tests showed that Fr-MWCNT-Fe3O4 had a maximum adsorption capacity of 250 mg/g at 308 K and could efficiently remove Cu2+ ions over a pH range of 6 to 8. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, and its thermodynamics were identified as endothermic. Functional groups on the surface of modified MWCNTs improved their adsorption capacity, and a rise in temperature increased the adsorption efficiency. These results highlight the Fr-MWCNT-Fe3O4 composites' potential as an efficient adsorbent for removing Cu2+ ions from untreated natural water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frankincense is an oleo-gum-resin collected from wild Boswellia spp. trees, and widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, incense, and other industries. Boswellia rivae, growing in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, is one source of frankincense, but is little-commercialized compared to species such as B. sacra, B. frereana, and B. papyrifera. In this study, we examine the resin essential oil chemistry and harvesting systems of B. rivae in order to evaluate its potential for increased trade and potential positive livelihood benefits. Boswellia rivae produces an essential oil rich in α-thujene (0.1–12.4%), α-pinene (5.5–56.4%), β-pinene (0.3–13.0%), δ-3-carene (0.1–31.5%), p-cymene (1.4–31.2%), limonene (1.8–37.3%), β-phellandrene (tr-5.6%), trans-pinocarveol (0.1–5.0%), trans-verbenol (0.1–11.2%), and trans-β-elemene (0–5.7%), similar to major commercial species, although it is difficult to detect mixing of B. rivae and Commiphora africana resins from chemistry alone. The B. rivae trees are not actively tapped, so resin collection has a neutral impact on the health of the trees, and resin production is unaffected by drought. Consequently, collecting resins acts as a key income supplementing livestock herding, as well as a safety net protecting pastoral communities from the severe negative effects of climate change-exacerbated drought on livestock. Therefore, Boswellia rivae is well positioned chemically, ecologically, and socially to support expanded trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary incontinence is a silent epidemic that has a serious impact on a person's quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of frankincense‐based herbal product (FHP) in urinary incontinence compared with placebo and solifenacin. In this randomized, double‐blind clinical trial, 120 postmenopausal women with mixed urinary incontinence were randomized to one of the three groups of FHP, placebo, and standard treatment (solifenacin). Frequency, amount of leakage, and score of urinary incontinence as well as the QOL were measured at the end of the second and fourth weeks and 2 weeks after the interruption of the treatment. The ICIQ‐UI SF and I‐QOL questionnaires were used for the measurements. Mean frequency of urinary incontinence and amount of leakage significantly decreased in the FHP and solifenacin groups in the fourth week compared to the placebo group. In addition, 2 weeks after treatment completion, the effects of the FHP were significant compared to the solifenacin group. Due to the effect of FHP on improving the QOL and also the prolonged effect of this drug, the use of FHP in urinary incontinence, as a complementary treatment could be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boswellia carterii oleo gum resin (Frankincense) is a part of the traditional medicine of the Arab region that is used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The chemical composition of the B. carterii oleo gum resin essential oil was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was evaluated using disc-diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oil was determined, and cell morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The GC/MS analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of 22 compounds that represented 98.33% of the total constituents of the essential oil, out of which the majority of the components were monoterpenes (91.194%) and 7.139% were sesquiterpenes. The essential oil was recorded to have antibacterial properties against a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens. However, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was prominent against Escherichia coli and Fusarium solani. The MIC of the essential oil against the tested bacterial and fungal pathogens ranged between 1.25 to 2.5 μL/mL and 0.625 to 1.25 μL/mL, correspondingly. In addition, B. carterii oleo gum resin essential oil also altered the morphology of E. coli and F. solani, as confirmed by the SEM analysis. These findings reinforce the suggestion that B. carterii oleo gum resin essential oil has the potential to be used as a natural antimicrobial agent against bacterial pathogens that cause food-borne diseases and plant pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boswellia carterii, known as frankincense, is a fragrant medicinal plant. The essential oil from this plant is often used in traditional medicine or aromatherapy. Due to its positive properties, it has potential applications as an antimicrobial agent in medicine and the food industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-insect, and antioxidant activities of frankincense essential oil (FEO). The composition of volatile compounds was determined by GC/MS, and the main components were found to be α-pinene (37.0%), α-limonene (19.8%), and p-cymene (6.3%). The antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH and ABTS methods with the resulting inhibition of 73.88 ± 0.35% of DPPH radical (6.27 ± 0.17 TEAC) and 97.09 ± 0.48% of ABTS radical cation (5.21 ± 0.07 TEAC). The antimicrobial activity was the strongest against Candida species with inhibition zones in the range of 38.00–44.00 mm and MIC 50 and MIC 90 values of 11.72 and 12.58 μL/mL, respectively. The inhibition activity of the vapor phase was the highest against G+ and G− bacteria growing on a carrot with inhibition ranging from 65.14 to 93.67%. The anti-insect activity against O. lavaterae was determined as 100% at 100% concentration and 50% at 25% concentration. The degradation of biofilm was tested with MALDI-TOF MS, and changes in the protein profile were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical compositions of four commercial essential oils were investigated using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in this study. The prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and LNCaP were used to test the antiproliferative activities of the four essential oils using crystal violet staining. p-Cymene (14.2%), limonene (11.6%), and elemol (10.8%) were identified as the main compounds in Elemi-A. Limonene (36.4%), terpinolene (11.2%), and α-phellandrene (10.3%) were the major constituents in Elemi-B. α-Pinene (22.9%) and α-thujone (14.5%) were the main compounds of Frankincense-A. α-Thujone (35.4%) was the main compound in Frankincense-B. Three essential oil samples (Elemi-A, Elemi-B, and Frankincense-A) had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values under 2 mg/mL against Bacillus subtilis and displayed noteworthy antibacterial activity. Additionally, Elemi-A had MIC values under 2 mg/mL against B. cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, Elemi-B had MIC values under 2 mg/mL against P. aeuroginosa. Elemi-B and Frankincense-B had dose-dependent and significant antiproliferative effects with IC50 values of 266.7 μg/mL and 230 μg/mL, respectively, against PC3 cells. The IC50 values of Elemi-A and Frankincense-A in the PC3 cells were 821.6 and 537.7 μg/mL, respectively. Only Elemi-B displayed a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect in the LNCaP cells with an IC50 value of 235.4 μg/mL. The present study determined the chemical composition of the essential oil of Elemi of French origin for the first time. Additionally, the antiproliferative activities of four essential oils against PC3 and LNCaP cells were first reported. Elemi-B, with the lowest IC50 values in the LNCaP and PC3 cells, had promising anticancer potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: We present an HPLC method development and validation for the quantitation of boswellic acids in Boswellia resin samples and construction of a multivariate model for the clustering of different sample species. The resin of Boswellia plant species has been used since ancient times for its several bio-active curative effects. In modern times, extracts of this resin are still widely commercialized on the food supplements and nutraceuticals market. Nowadays the legislation on botanical extracts and the increasing demand for their safety and traceability are setting new standards for their chemical characterization. In this work we present an easy, feasible and rugged HPLC-UV-based approach for the quantitation of boswellic acids in food-supplement-grade resin extracts of Boswellia plant species. This method can be used for quality control purposes as well as for studying their differences in regional origin, years of harvesting and species-related differences. The method employs a C18 (3 × 150 mm, 3 µm) analytical HPLC column, and the separation is carried out through a gradient of acetonitrile/water with 0.1% formic acid. The method was validated following the ICH guidelines and used to quantitate different samples of commercial resin of Boswellia carteri and serrata together with other samples from unknown species. The six known boswellic acids were identified and quantified in all the analyzed samples. The results were used to build a multivariate model to graphically appreciate their difference through their clustering. The model was then augmented by adding further quantitation data for boswellic acids belonging to different species of Boswellia obtained by another scientific publications to increase the number of studied samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frankincense, a resin derived from trees of the Boswellia genus, has been used as an incense and a type of herbal medicine for treating inflammatory diseases such arthritis, chronic bowel illness, and asthma. While endometriosis is a well-known inflammatory gynecological illness caused by the ectopic attachment and development of uterine tissue over the menstrual cycle, the impact of frankincense on this illness is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of frankincense on endometriosis. Methods: We used a network pharmacological assessment, in vitro and in vivo investigations with a human endometriotic cell line as well as a syngeneic uterine transfer mouse model. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis was used to compare water-extracted frankincense (Fr) to its reference compounds and validate the sample. Results: A network pharmacological analysis suggested a positive effect of Fr on endometriosis. Fr relieved endometriosis by reducing ectopic endometrial adherence and development, according to both in vivo and in vitro models. We suggested that the ER stress/p53-apoptosis and chemokine-migration/adhesion pathways underlie Fr's anti-endometriotic action using RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Conclusion: This study revealed the potential effect of Fr on endometriosis using an experimental investigation. Fr may have the potential to be an effective and safe treatment for endometriosis.

Purpose: To report two cases of benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) symptom relief in the setting of regular topical frankincense usage. Observations: The primary outcome measures for this report are (1) frequency of botulinum toxin (BT) injection appointments before and after the onset of regular frankincense usage and (2) patient report of symptoms. After starting frankincense, patient 1 decreased the frequency of her BT injection appointments from 5 to 8 months to 11+ months, eventually stopping BT injections altogether. Patient 2 decreased her BT appointments from every 3–4 months to approximately every 8 months after starting frankincense. Both patients had previously tried multiple additional treatments for their BEB symptoms which did not yield improvement; both patients reported significant improvement in their symptoms secondary to topical frankincense oil. Conclusion and Importance: Frankincense is a natural product of Boswellia trees. It has been used primarily for its anti-inflammatory properties for many years in multiple countries. We report two cases of individuals with long-standing, debilitating benign essential blepharospasm achieving significant symptom relief after beginning regular usage of topical frankincense essential oil. This natural oil offers an organic and effective treatment option for this chronic, progressive condition.

Abstract Background The volatile fraction of frankincense (Boswellia sacra) oleogum was extracted, formulated in nanoemulsion and tested against lung cancer A549 cell line. First, the gum was hydro-distilled to isolate the volatile fraction (essential oil), which was analyzed via gas chromatography to identify its major volatile constituents. Then, the oil was formulated in two water-based nanoemulsions which differ from one another in the presence of propylene glycol (PG), which is used in the formulation step as a co-surfactant. The pure essential oil as well as its major volatile compound (α-pinene), its two nanoemulsions and a reference drug (Doxorubicin) were evaluated against lung cancer A549 cell lines and WI-38 normal lung cells. The evaluation included cytotoxicity (MTT and IC50), apoptosis (flow cytometric analysis) in addition to genetic assessments for some intrinsic and extrinsic genes relevant to apoptosis and survival pathways. Results Chromatographic analysis of frankincense essential oil revealed that α-pinene is the major volatile compound which constituent about 60% of that oil. Emulsification of the oil using the low energy technique gave nanoemulsions having major intense particles population (85–90%) with z-average diameter below 20.0 nm. Frankincense oil nanoemulsion fabricated with (PG) showed the best cytotoxic activity toward lung cancer A549 cell compared to PG-free nanoemulsion, α-pinene and the reference drug doxorubicin, along different incubation periods. Flow cytometric analysis also indicated that PG-containing nanoemulsion can induce cancer cells toward apoptosis better than the other formula and the pure oils. The same nanoemulsion was found to upregulate the pro-apoptotic genes [DR5, FAAD, Caspase 8 (Cas8), p53, and Bax] and downregulate the anti-apoptotic and reoccurrence genes (Bcl-2, NF-kB, and STAT-3). Most importantly, the PG-containing nanoemulsion had the least cytotoxic effect on the normal WI-38 lung cells. Conclusions These results point out to the potentials of frankincense essential oil (rich in α-pinene) and its PG-nanoemulsion as a promising adjuvant from plant-source to potentiate the activity of the systematic anti-lung cancer drugs.

Abstract Background Relapse and metastasis in breast cancer are linked to cancer stem cells (CSCs) resistant to anticancer therapies. The presence of cancer stem‐like cells (CSLCs) and their ability to self‐renew is determined by in vitro spheroid formation. Aims Many studies have found that frankincense has anticancer impacts, although these effects on breast CSLCs have never been evaluated. Methods and results A population of heterogeneous breast tumor cells was extracted from the tumor mass after generating an animal model of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Spheroid formation was used as an in vitro assay to determine the existence of CSLCs in these cells. MTT assay was used to determine frankincense's cytotoxic activity. An annexin V‐ propidium iodide (PI) staining and scratch test were used to assess the induction of apoptosis and antimetastatic effects of frankincense. The frankincense extract has significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on breast CSLCs. Although, the breast CSLCs are more resistant to these impacts than other breast cancer cells. Conclusion Our study is the first report that indicates that frankincense extract has anticancer properties in breast CSLCs. Compared to many anticancer chemicals, which have limited potential to battle cancer stem cells, frankincense is an appropriate option to combat breast CSCs.

Ethiopia is one of the Gum and Resin producing countries with a large potential. Borana pastoralists particularly utilised these resources as a source of revenue. The majority of Ethiopia's gum-resin products are collected from natural oozing. In southern Ethiopia, improved tapping mechanisms are uncommon. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different tapping machines and tapping at different tree diameter classes on the gum and incense yields of selected tree species. Commiphora corrugata, Boswellia microphylla, and Boswellia neglecta tree species were selected for their potential existence and economic importance. A factorial experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) in which three types of tapping materials including natural oozing and three levels of tree size (diameter classes) were used. Accordingly, materials (Panga, Axe, Sonki, and control) were applied at diameters of (5-8 cm, 8.1-11 cm and >11 cm) for a tree height below DBH (at < 130 cm) and above DBH (at >130 cm) on selected tree species while natural oozing was remained untapped and used as controls. Accordingly, the highest mean yield was recorded for trees tapped by axe (5.99 g/tree), followed by Sonki (5.01 g/tree) and bigger diameter class >11 cm (7.10 g/tree) for Commiphora corrugata. The highest mean yield was also obtained for trees tapped by axe (10.76 g/tree) in the first year and (43.71 g/tree) in the second year and bigger diameter class >11 cm (15.16 g/tree) in the first year and (47.81 g/tree) in the second year for Boswellia microphylla. Moreover, the highest mean yield was recorded for naturally oozing trees (6.16 g/tree) and bigger diameter class >11 cm (6.33 g/tree) for Boswellia neglecta. Tapped trees generally provided significantly higher yields than untapped or control trees, and frankincense yield increased with increasing tree size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boswellia ogadensis is a critically endangered species of frankincense tree, restricted to a small area of the Shabelle river valley in southern Ethiopia. It has only been recorded from two botanical collecting trips, in 1972 and 2006, with no indication of the abundance, threats, or population status of the trees, and it was listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species as "Critically Endangered" in 2018. More recent expeditions, in 2019 and 2021, were not able to locate the species, raising concerns about its continued survival. We carried out a field survey in June 2022 to re-locate the species, assess the threat level it is facing, and collect samples of resin for analysis. This survey revealed that B. ogadensis is present in more locations than previously recorded, and is more abundant than thought. While it is facing multiple threats, including grazing, cutting for firewood, and insect attacks, these threats vary geographically, and there are populations that appear to be healthy and regenerating well. While more research is needed, the current survey indicates that downlisting to "Endangered" status may be appropriate. Samples of resin were also collected and analyzed using gas chromatographic techniques, revealing that while the essential oil profile is similar to that of other Boswellia species (dominated by α-thujene, α-pinene, p-cymene, and terpenin-4-ol), there are chemical markers that can distinguish it from other sympatric Boswellia species, indicating the potential for this to be used as a tool to monitor whether B. ogadensis is being harvested alongside other more common Boswellia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic materials have been the subject of numerous recent cosmetics studies. Plant extracts and/or plant-derived resources in the Middle East have significant potential in many cosmetic fields because they exhibit useful properties that promote the repair of cellular functions and improve skin conditions. Multiple organic substances from these resources have long-lasting environmental effects, extensive storage capacities, and affect human physiological activity. Recent studies have revealed that Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) and Boswellia serrata (frankincense) extracts can prevent aging, acne, and spots while enhancing skin moisture and suppleness. Given that myrrh and frankincense exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that significantly improve human health, their utilization in various cosmetic products has received attention from global cosmetic corporations. This review details the bioactive compounds and cosmeceutical properties of myrrh and frankincense and their use in cosmetic formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Resins from Boswellia exhibit species-specific variations in AKBA and KBA content. • NIR spectra of Boswellia resin confirm species-dependent nature of resin samples. • Principal component analysis shows clear separation of Boswellia species. • Prediction of boswellic acid levels in solid resin was achieved with NIRS and PLSR. The bioactive compounds Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) and 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), found in the resin of the Boswellia tree, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, rendering Boswellia resin an intriguing natural medicinal products. However, the content of boswellic acids varies across different Boswellia species and proper knowledge of its species-dependent nature, as well as alternatives to the resource- and time-intensive HPLC analysis, are lacking. Here we present a comprehensive investigation into the boswellic acid content of seven Boswellia species from ten countries and introduce a novel and non-destructive Near-Infrared spectroscopy method for predicting boswellic acid concentrations in solid resin samples. The HPLC-UV reference analysis revealed AKBA concentrations of up to 7.27 % (w/w) with KBA concentrations reaching up to 1.28 % (w/w). Principal Component Analysis of the HPLC and NIR spectroscopy data unveiled species-specific variations, facilitating differentiation based on boswellic acid content, characteristic chromatograms and NIR spectra. Using the HPLC-UV quantification as reference, we developed a Partial Least Squares regression model based on NIR spectra of the resin samples. This model demonstrated highly satisfactory predictive capabilities for AKBA content, achieving a root mean square error of prediction of 0.74 % (w/w) and an R2 val of 0.79 in independent test set validation. Although the model was less effective for predicting KBA content, it still offered valuable estimates. The spectroscopic method introduced in this study provides a cost-effective and solvent-free approach for predicting boswellic acid content, demonstrating the potential for application in non-laboratory settings through the use of miniaturized NIR spectrometers. Consequently, this method aligns well with the principles of green chemistry and addresses the growing demand for alternative analytical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As they continuously evolve, plants will remain a renewable source for antimicrobial compounds. Omani frankincense is produced by B. sacra trees and is graded into Hojari, Nejdi, Shazri or Sha’bi. Air can be a source for pathogenic or food spoilage microbes; thus, inactivating airborne microbes is necessary in environments such as food and animal production areas. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity and the chemistry of steam-distilled oils of Hojari and Sha’bi grades. It also analyzed the antimicrobial activity of frankincense smoke and the size of its solid particles. Chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the oils against Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571), Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC 10662), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani was determined using well diffusion and micro-well dilution methods. A microscopic technique was used to determine the size of frankincense smoke solid particles. Microbes were exposed to frankincense smoke to test their susceptibility to the smoke. Hojari and Sha’bi oils were similar in composition and contained monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The Hojari and the Sha’bi oils possessed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. The largest growth inhibition zones were obtained with S. cerevisiae and F. solani. An MIC of 1.56% (v/v) was found with E. coli, S. cerevisiae and F. solani. Frankincense smoke contained fine irregular solid particles with a diameter range of 0.8–2287.4 µm, and thus may pose a health risk to susceptible individuals. The smoke had potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and airborne bacteria, yeast and mold, with a maximum inhibition of 100%. It was concluded that Hojari and Sha’bi frankincense oils and smoke had significant antimicrobial activity that can be exploited in controlling human, animal and plant pathogenic microbes.

Globally, both the general public and herbalists are becoming more interested in traditional medicine. Natural products are widely used in the treatment of diseases in industrialized areas. The purpose of this study is to evaluate people's attitudes and behaviors toward using frankincense as medicine. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in Muscat, Oman. The survey questions were distributed after approval from the research and ethics committee. Data collection is separated into three phases. The first section was on the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, while the second phase focused on the identification of frequent patterns of use and the third phase discussed the awareness and behavior of using frankincense in disease therapy. Results: It was found that 78.4% of the participants used frankincense in their normal lifestyle, weekly (28.1%), daily (26.1%), and monthly (24.2%). Moreover, 23.3% of the participants use frankincense twice daily, while 21.6% did not use it. The results of the behavioral attitude of using frankincense found that although more than 75% of the participant used frankincense in their lifestyle, only 43.3% of them used it as a treatment. The main reasons that led them to acquire it as treatment focused on inherited beliefs (17.1%), while the most uses practiced are 38.8% in respiratory disease therapy and the lowest are 4.2% for cosmetics properties. Conclusions: The awareness of frankincense was limited to its general traditional uses with little understanding of the therapeutic benefits of frankincense, even though the majority of therapy activities were approved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years witnessed the use of incense in aromatherapy, religious festivals, warding negative vibes, and indoor air refreshers at home. Their consequences to respiratory ailments over a long period in relation to pollution from trace metals were least studied. The present study aimed to analyze the elemental mercury (Hg) concentrations directly and indirectly in different marketed incenses and validated their effect on respiratory ailments in residents. Sixteen common brands of incense of pollution interests from the local markets were analyzed using a direct mercury analyzer that measured samples from 0.0015ng/g onwards with precise and reproducible results. Subsequently, residents apportioned in six Governorate areas of environmental interest were provided with questionnaires and sought responses to the use of incenses and their health issues. Analysis revealed high Hg concentrations in the perfume-soaked incenses compared to the non-perfume-soaked incenses besides their significant site-wise variations. The questionnaire from 60 respondents who used ‘Bokhour’ often and were exposed to smoke for >8h showed mild to severe respiratory ailments in line with the indoor-outdoor air quality. Despite the beneficial effect of incenses described in the past, Hg concentration was observed high in the incense that caused varying respiratory ailments which were attributed to the native’s selectivity, regional specificity, and recurrent uses of incenses. This study labeled Hg in incense as an additive bio-indicator to indoor pollution. Furthermore, restricting the burning of unmonitored locally available incense is recommended to prevent health issues and subsequent indoor pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ShengFu oil is a compounded Chinese medicinal prescription, and provides antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, favoring burn wound repair. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effects of topical applications of ShengFu oil and its active ingredients in oral chemical burns and elucidating its regulatory effects on ß-catenin, COX-2, and MMP-9 expression caused by exposure to acid or alkaline agents. ShengFu oil contains 16 components, such as Frankincense, Radix Scutellariae and Radix Rehmanniae, and the main active ingredients from Frankincense are a-pinene, linalool, and n-octanol. Mouse models of oral chemical burns were induced by using glacial acetic acid or sodium hydroxide. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the protein expressions of ß-catenin, COX-2, and MMP-9 in wound tissues. They were further quantified by multispectral imaging analysis to clarify the effective mechanism of ShengFu oil for intervening inflammatory factors and active components. Our results indicated that the application of ShengFu oil on oral chemical burns effectively stopped the oral burn bleeding and reduced the inflammatory reaction in the damaged tissues, demonstrating that ShengFu oil can promote wound tissue repair in burns caused by heat, acids, and alkalis. The immunohistochemical staining results illustrated that ShengFu oil and its active ingredients significantly reversed the abnormal changes in inflammation-related proteins in mouse tongue tissues that were caused by chemical burns. Regarding long-term toxic effects of ShengFu oil on the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidney system, the results of hematoxylin and eosin staining experiments depicted that ShengFu oil was safe and effective for liver, kidney, intestine, esophagus, and tongue. All of these demonstrated that ShengFu oil and its active ingredients are effective and safe in preventing and treating oral chemical burns by interfering with the inflammatory microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two of the world's most important and venerated essential oils are frankincense and myrrh, and these, together with gold, were the three famous gifts from the Magi to the infant Jesus, as written in Matthew 2:11. Frankincense aromatic resin has been used for centuries for ceremonial and religious purposes, in perfumes and incense as well as for medicinal purposes. The source of frankincense and its composition are discussed briefly together with its sociological importance over the centuries. Then the systemic and neurological health benefits attributed to frankincense are discussed in some detail. Finally, the mechanisms of action and the receptors that this essential oil activates to achieve its health benefits are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has recently been ranked as the 11th highest contributor to global disability. More than 40% of patients use complementary and alternative medicine including supplements containing phytoextracts with anti-inflammatory properties as those from the Boswellia genus. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of phytoextracts from the oleogum resin of the Boswellia genus as supplementation for patients affected by knee OA. Four electronic databases were used for the research and PRISMA statements were followed throughout the study. The following inclusion criteria were used: (a) the subjects of the study were humans with a diagnosis of knee OA reported by medical staff; (b) randomization and the presence of control (placebo, negative or positive control), and (c) outcomes reported with WOMAC and/or visual analog scale (VAS) score. Publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot and through the Egger test. The Jadad scale was used in order to assess the quality of the studies included. The statistical heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistics. Results of meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were reported using a forest plot. A total of 13 studies involving 850 (WOMAC) and 1185 (VAS) patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis did not detect a significant effect of the use of Boswellia extracts between the control and the treatment groups due to the high heterogeneity of the studies (p = 0.0865 for WOMAC) and (p = 0.3966 VAS). However, the subsequent subgroup analysis demonstrated the significant beneficial effect of Boswellia extracts in the treatment of knee OA with respect to a placebo (lower WOMAC score in the treatment groups). This was also confirmed in the meta-regression applied to the WOMAC scores. This is an important finding as people exposed to NSAID-related adverse effects could benefit from the use of Boswellia extracts. However, further high-quality studies are needed to establish the clinical efficacy of extracts from the genus Boswellia., (© 2024 The Author(s). Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Masticatory myofascial pain syndrome (MMPS) is a soft tissue inflammatory disorder that leads to acute or chronic localized pain and stiffness in the muscles. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays a crucial role in mediating pain perceptions in humans by transferring methyl groups to catecholamines. This process requires adequate S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe). A reduction in SAMe leads to COMT inhibition. Boswellia serrata possesses multiple therapeutic benefits and is used for treating chronic pain., Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) by targeting COMT . Methodology: Molecular docking and dynamic simulations were conducted using Desmond software from Schrödinger LLC, USA, to evaluate the interaction between COMT protein and AKBA ligands. The COMT protein structure was sourced from the Protein Data Bank and preprocessed using optimized potentials for liquid simulations. Molecular docking identified potential binding sites between COMT and AKBA through hydrogen bonding, resulting in a docking score of -6.0 kcal/mol., Results: The molecular docking revealed a docking score of -6.0 kcal/mol for the interaction between COMT and AKBA. The dynamic simulation demonstrated that the COMT-AKBA complex remained stable within a 3.0 Angstrom range over 60 nanoseconds. These findings indicate stable natural small molecular interactions between COMT and AKBA., Conclusion: AKBA exhibits potential as a therapeutic agent for MMPS, demonstrating stable interactions with COMT. These findings warrant further in vitro and in vivo analyses to confirm efficacy., Competing Interests: Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Suresh et al.)

Introduction: Frankincense is used for analgesic, tumor-suppressive, and anti-inflammatory treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine but poses toxicological concerns. Vinegar processing is a common technique used to reduce the toxicity of frankincense., Objective: This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and quality evaluation of raw and vinegar-processing frankincense by multiple UPLC-MS/MS techniques. Additionally, we purposed refining the vinegar processing technique and identifying potentially harmful ingredients in the raw frankincense., Methodology: Sub-chronic oral toxicity studies were conducted on raw and vinegar-processing frankincense in rats. The composition of frankincense was identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Chemometrics were used to differentiate between raw and vinegar-processing frankincense. Potential chemical markers were identified by selecting differential components, which were further exactly determined by UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Moreover, the viability of the HepG2 cells of those components with reduced contents after vinegar processing was assessed., Results: The toxicity of raw frankincense is attenuated by vinegar processing, among which vinegar-processing frankincense (R40) (herb weight: rice vinegar weight = 40:1) exhibited the lowest toxicity. A total of 83 components were identified from frankincense, including 40 triterpenoids, 37 diterpenoids, and 6 other types. The contents of six components decreased after vinegar-processing, with the lowest levels in R40. Three components, specifically 3α-acetoxy-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), 3α-acetoxy-α-boswellic acid (α-ABA), and 3α-acetoxy-β-boswellic acid (β-ABA), inhibited the viability of HepG2 cells. The processing of frankincense with vinegar at a ratio of 40:1 could be an effective method of reducing the toxicity in raw frankincense., Conclusion: Our research improves understanding of the toxic substance basis and facilitates future assessments of frankincense quality., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aquatic pollution, which includes organic debris and heavy metals, is a severe issue for living things. Copper pollution is hazardous to people, and there is a need to develop effective methods for eliminating it from the environment. To address this issue, a novel adsorbent composed of frankincense-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fr-MMWCNTs) and Fe3O4 [Fr-MWCNT-Fe3O4] was created and subjected to characterization. Batch adsorption tests showed that Fr-MWCNT-Fe3O4 had a maximum adsorption capacity of 250 mg/g at 308 K and could efficiently remove Cu2+ ions over a pH range of 6 to 8. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, and its thermodynamics were identified as endothermic. Functional groups on the surface of modified MWCNTs improved their adsorption capacity, and a rise in temperature increased the adsorption efficiency. These results highlight the Fr-MWCNT-Fe3O4 composites’ potential as an efficient adsorbent for removing Cu2+ ions from untreated natural water sources.

Frankincense is an oleo-gum-resin collected from wild Boswellia spp. trees, and widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, incense, and other industries. Boswellia rivae, growing in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, is one source of frankincense, but is little-commercialized compared to species such as B. sacra, B. frereana, and B. papyrifera. In this study, we examine the resin essential oil chemistry and harvesting systems of B. rivae in order to evaluate its potential for increased trade and potential positive livelihood benefits. Boswellia rivae produces an essential oil rich in α-thujene (0.1–12.4%), α-pinene (5.5–56.4%), β-pinene (0.3–13.0%), δ-3-carene (0.1–31.5%), p-cymene (1.4–31.2%), limonene (1.8–37.3%), β-phellandrene (tr-5.6%), trans-pinocarveol (0.1–5.0%), trans-verbenol (0.1–11.2%), and trans-β-elemene (0–5.7%), similar to major commercial species, although it is difficult to detect mixing of B. rivae and Commiphora africana resins from chemistry alone. The B. rivae trees are not actively tapped, so resin collection has a neutral impact on the health of the trees, and resin production is unaffected by drought. Consequently, collecting resins acts as a key income supplementing livestock herding, as well as a safety net protecting pastoral communities from the severe negative effects of climate change-exacerbated drought on livestock. Therefore, Boswellia rivae is well positioned chemically, ecologically, and socially to support expanded trade.

Background: The volatile fraction of frankincense (Boswellia sacra) oleogum was extracted, formulated in nanoemulsion and tested against lung cancer A549 cell line. First, the gum was hydro-distilled to isolate the volatile fraction (essential oil), which was analyzed via gas chromatography to identify its major volatile constituents. Then, the oil was formulated in two water-based nanoemulsions which differ from one another in the presence of propylene glycol (PG), which is used in the formulation step as a co-surfactant. The pure essential oil as well as its major volatile compound (α-pinene), its two nanoemulsions and a reference drug (Doxorubicin) were evaluated against lung cancer A549 cell lines and WI-38 normal lung cells. The evaluation included cytotoxicity (MTT and IC50), apoptosis (flow cytometric analysis) in addition to genetic assessments for some intrinsic and extrinsic genes relevant to apoptosis and survival pathways. Results: Chromatographic analysis of frankincense essential oil revealed that α-pinene is the major volatile compound which constituent about 60% of that oil. Emulsification of the oil using the low energy technique gave nanoemulsions having major intense particles population (85–90%) with z-average diameter below 20.0 nm. Frankincense oil nanoemulsion fabricated with (PG) showed the best cytotoxic activity toward lung cancer A549 cell compared to PG-free nanoemulsion, α-pinene and the reference drug doxorubicin, along different incubation periods. Flow cytometric analysis also indicated that PG-containing nanoemulsion can induce cancer cells toward apoptosis better than the other formula and the pure oils. The same nanoemulsion was found to upregulate the pro-apoptotic genes [DR5, FAAD, Caspase 8 (Cas8), p53, and Bax] and downregulate the anti-apoptotic and reoccurrence genes (Bcl-2, NF-kB, and STAT-3). Most importantly, the PG-containing nanoemulsion had the least cytotoxic effect on the normal WI-38 lung cells. Conclusions: These results point out to the potentials of frankincense essential oil (rich in α-pinene) and its PG-nanoemulsion as a promising adjuvant from plant-source to potentiate the activity of the systematic anti-lung cancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frankincense is a fragrant resin produced by Boswellia species, and has been used for centuries as a perfume, medicine, and incense, and is an important cosmetic and therapeutic product today. A number of studies have been conducted on the resin essential oils, but many have used commercial sources outside of the country of origin, leading to potential taxonomic confusion or misidentification. Individual Boswellia papyrifera resin samples were each obtained directly from 11 individual trees in Sudan, hydrodistilled, the volatile phytochemicals determined by gas chromatographic methods, and the chemical compositions subjected to cluster analysis. All samples were very similar, with high levels of octyl acetate (49.5%-81.0%) and octanol (6.5%-13.7%), and varying levels of diterpenoids (6.6%-32.7%). The cluster analysis indicated 3 highly similar groups, defined by (1) relatively higher levels of octyl acetate (58.9%-81.0%), but with low levels of diterpenoids (6.6%-18.6%); (2) relatively lower levels of octyl acetate (49.5%-61.3%), but with a higher proportion of diterpenoids (19.0%-22.8%); and (3) with octyl acetate (51.6%) and diterpenoids (32.7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frankincense has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of suffering. Now, the research group of Prof. Oliver Werz from the University of Jena (Germany), together with his American colleagues, has demonstrated that the highly effective boswellic acid AKBA from the resin of the Indian frankincense tree (Boswellia serrata) also has a healing effect in addition to the already known anti-inflammatory properties [1]. InflammAging" refers to a chronic silent inflammatory process (inflammation) that develops with advanced age. In addition to the externally visible aging of the skin, painful signs of age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis often occur over time. This is the main field of application of the natural active ingredient AKBA from Boswellia serrata extract with extensive no side effects. However, the promising therapeutic potential of the extract is limited by the insufficient solubility and bioavailability of the main active ingredient, whose water solubility is below 0.00045 mg/ml. By encapsulating the frankincense extract into Sopharcos' nanoemulsion "Lipo-Tops", the solubility can be increased by a factor of 22,000! In general, such formulations have shown that they can promote the absorption of lipophilic active ingredients and improve their bioavailability [2]. By using only natural edible raw materials, "Lipo-Tops Boswellin" can be used both for dermal application as well as for oral uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]