Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Boswellic acids, the active constituents of Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense), have been investigated for their anti-inflammatory properties, which are relevant in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The traditional use of Boswellia has focused on inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, but recent scientific research has begun to explore its application in respiratory diseases, including COPD.

A few small clinical studies and preclinical experiments suggest that boswellic acids may inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and leukotriene synthesis, mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD. For example, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Gupta et al., 1998) on asthma patients showed improvement in symptoms with Boswellia extract, but data specific to COPD are limited. More recent animal studies indicate that boswellic acids may reduce airway inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD models. However, robust human clinical trials on COPD patients are lacking, and the available evidence is mostly extrapolated from studies on asthma or inflammatory processes in general.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary evidence for using boswellic acids to support COPD treatment, the overall quality and quantity of clinical data are limited. Therefore, scientific support exists but is not strong, justifying a moderate (2/5) evidence rating.

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