A New Hope For Osteoarthritis Patients : Indian Herb 'Frankincense'

A latest research found that an Indian herb, known as ‘Frankincense Salai’ or ‘Boswellia serrata’ can effectively treat osteoarthritis, which is one of the most common forms of arthritis.

Indian Frankincense has been used for medicinal purposes in ancient Hindu medicine known as ‘Ayurveda’ for centuries. Boswellia serrata plant, commonly found in two Indian states -- Rajasthan and MP (Madhya Pradesh) helped in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in 70 patients in the study.

During the 90 days trial, the researchers gave high dose, low dose or a placebo daily to 70 patients randomly. The team used the standard and accepted methods to evaluate the pain and physical functions of the subjects before the starting of the trials and in between the trails.

The authors found that just after seven days, people who were given the herbal extract reported less pain and better mobility. The team had already tested the safety of their remedy in animal experiments.

The herb extract, used by the team in the study was enriched with 30% AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), which is thought to be the most active ingredient in the plant (B. serrata).

Lead author of the study, Siba Raychaudhuri, a faculty member of the University of California, Davis, in the U.S., said "AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties, and we have shown that B. serrataenriched with AKBA can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee."

Adding further she said, "The high incidence of adverse effects associated with currently available medications has created great interest in the search for an effective and safe alternative treatment.”

The findings of the study appear in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.

The fund for the study was provided by Laila Impex Research and Development Centre (India) which is linked to Lalia Nutraceuticals, the manufacture of the drug.

Boswellia gun is traditionally used for diabetes, skin and gum disease, neurological disorders, fever, cardiovascular disease, dysenterydefine and many other disorders. Due to its anti-inflammatory property, nowadays it is widely used in treating low back pain, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibrositisdefine and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known as a degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis which occurs due to wear and tear of the joint cartilage and the formation of new bone at the edges of the joints. The joints most commonly affected are those of the hips, knees, big toe, and spine. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include age, female sex, obesity and joint injury. Such people experiences pain upon weight bearing, such as walking and standing.

Although, there is no cure for osteoarthritis but still treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms. Exercising regularly, especially in water, maintaining ideal weight, eating good diet and the use of heat and cold treatments may increase mobility.

Approximately 21 million people suffer from osteoarthritis in America only and more than three million suffer from OA in Canada. A previous Indian study conducted by TNS and called TNS Arogya found that osteoarthritis is number one ailment in India.