Herbal products prepared from various species of Boswellia (Frankincense, Olibanum) have been used for several centuries in traditional medicine worldwide for the treatment of various diseases and have recently gained popularity as potential therapeutic agent against COVID -19. The promising effect of Boswelia serrata is attributed to its antioxidant, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and broad antiviral activity.
Boswellic acids
Phytochemical investigation identified several pentacyclic triterpenic acids isolated from the oleoresin of various Boswellia species under the name boswellic acids, which are responsible for the effects.
The two most potent antiinflammatory boswellic acids are 3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (KBA). According to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph, the oleo gum resin obtained by incision or produced by spontaneous exudation from the stem and branches of Boswellia serrata must contain not less than 1.0% of the keto derivatives of β-boswellic acid calculated as the sum of KBA and AKBA. While, according to the Indian and European pharmacopeias, herbal preparations containing Boswelia serrata must contain at least 1.0% KBA and 1.0% AKBA (w/w, dried drug) as active ingredients.
Boswellia herbal products quality
A major problem with commercially available Boswellia herbal products is the striking differences in their composition and quality, especially in terms of boswellic acids content, mainly due to the use of material from different Boswellia species and applied extraction methods. Many commercially available products are standardized to their total boswelic acids content as determined by titration. The content of boswellic acids in commercially available standardized extracts vary from 30 to 65%. Although titration is one of the simplest methods of measuring the total content of boswelic acids in whole or powdered oleogum resins and their extracts, the method suffers from a lack of specificity and accuracy due to interference from other acidic compounds and is also unsuitable for detecting adulteration.
Quality concerns are therefore justified due to the lack of pre-marketing approval for quality and efficacy in the expanding market of herbal supplements. Several studies have shown that, in addition to economic adulteration, there are significant differences in the quantity of active ingredients compared to labelling. Furthermore, misleading labelling is common, although it is prohibited by regulations.
Analysis of boswellic acids
Since the pharmacopoeias specify liquid chromatography as the method of choice for evaluating the quality of Boswelia products, in our laboratory we are focused on quantifying AKBA and KBA contents as quality markers by using a robust and specific HPLC method.
Whether you are interested in the analysis of boswellic acids total content using a standardized titration method or the selective quantification of AKBA and KBA as key active ingredients in various extracts or herbal products of Boswellia, our laboratory can provide you with active ingredient analysis tailored to the specific needs of your product.
If you have any questions regarding the analysis of Boswelia products, Contact us at info@inslab.si.
