Antioxidant and Ex Vivo Immune System Regulatory Properties of Boswellia serrata Extracts

Daniela Beghelli, Gloria Isani, Paola Roncada, Giulia Andreani, Onelia Bistoni, Martina Bertocchi, Giulio Lupidi, Alessia Alunno, Daniela Beghelli, Gloria Isani, Paola Roncada, Giulia Andreani, Onelia Bistoni, Martina Bertocchi, Giulio Lupidi, Alessia Alunno

Abstract

Boswellia serrata (BS) is an important traditional medicinal plant that currently represents an interesting topic for pharmaceutical research since it possesses several pharmacological properties (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumour). The safety and versatility of this dietary supplement should allow for its use in numerous pathological conditions; however the quality of the extracts needs to be standardized to increase the clinical success rate resulting from its use. In the present study, different commercially available B. serrata extracts were employed to compare their AKBA content and in vitro antioxidant power. Furthermore, their ability to modulate the immune system regulatory properties was investigated. Our results showed that the AKBA content varied from 3.83 ± 0.10 to 0.03 ± 0.004%, with one sample in which it was not detectable. The highest antioxidant power and phenolic content were shown by the same extract, which also exhibited the highest AKBA concentration. Finally, the BS extracts showed the ability to influence the regulatory and effector T-cell compartments. Our results suggest that frankincense should be further investigated for its promising potentiality to modulate not only inflammation/oxidative stress but also immune dysregulation, but attention should be paid to the composition of the commercial extracts.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
UV detection at 254 nm (a) for UV-active boswellic acids. Chromatograms after dyeing with anisaldehyde (b). Rf values are reported for the most relevant spots. A–F: six different powder extracts of Boswellia serrata gum resin; S: 3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic-acid (AKBA) analytical standard (Rf = 0.29).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chromatograms of Boswellia serrata extracts (BS) after HPLC-DAD analysis. BS (A)–(F) extracts were diluted 1 : 400 in methanol, whereas, BS (G) extract was diluted 1 : 20 in methanol. The chromatogram of the AKBA analytical standard is also reported (H). The absorbance (mAU) is reported on the y-axis, wavelength (nm) on x-axis, and the retention time (minutes) on the z-axis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Boswellia serrata (BS) extract (A or G) effects on lymphocyte proliferation assay. Data are shown as mean ± SEM of seven independent experiments. PBMCs were cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA; graphics (a) and (c)) or pokeweed mitogens (PWM; graphics (b) and (d)) and stained with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester cell tracer (CFSE). The lymphocyte proliferation index (LPI) was calculated as reported in the text. A,BDifferent letters for p < 0.05. n.s. = not significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Boswellia serrata (BS) extract (A or G) effects on Treg (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells), Th1 lymphocyte (INFγ+ cells), and Th17 cell (IL-17+) responses. Data are shown as mean ± SEM of seven independent experiments. PBMCs were cultured in absence (controls, C; graphics (a), (b), and (c)) or presence of mitogen (phytohemagglutinin, PHA; graphics (d), (e), and (f)) and with/without BS extracts. A,BDifferent letters for p < 0.05. n.s. = not significant.

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