Therapeutic Effects of Boswellia in Different Diseases: A Systematic Review on Human Studies

Zahra  Salehi; Ali  Tavakoli; Mozhgan  Moghtaderi; Reza  Abbasizadeh; Hossein Molavi  Vardanjani; Seyed Hesamedin  Nabavizadeh; Saeed Hosseini  Teshnizi

doi:10.18502/tim.v10i4.20733

Zahra Salehi Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Ali Tavakoli Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mozhgan Moghtaderi Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Reza Abbasizadeh Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Hossein Molavi Vardanjani MPH Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Seyed Hesamedin Nabavizadeh Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi Research Development Center of Children Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Hormozgan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v10i4.20733

Keywords: Boswellia; Clinical trial; Frankincense; Systematic review; Adverse effect; Therapeutic effect

Abstract

Boswellia, has been utilized for centuries in various cultures for its potential health benefits. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. Despite its historical use, scientific evidence regarding its efficacy and safety remains limited. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Boswellia in treating various diseases by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the MEDLINE database from 2001 to the first half of 2025. Data from RCTs involving human subjects were collected, focusing on the effects of Boswellia versus placebo. Key factors included age, type of disease, dosage, and duration of treatment. Outcomes assessed included efficacy and any adverse effects associated with Boswellia use. These studies included a total of 3274 individuals, comprising 1651 cases and 1623 controls, with ages ranging from 15 to 85 years. Of the 49 selected research studies: 12 studies focused on patients with osteoarthritis, 8 studies investigated gastrointestinal diseases, 8 studies examined neurological diseases, 5 studies addressed cutaneous reactions, 5 studies looked at cancer, 3 studies on diabetes mellitus, 2 studies on oral lesions and 2 on joint pain. Labor pain, asthma, ankle sprain, and obesity each had one study dedicated to them. The majority of studies (91.8%) reported better treatment outcomes of various diseases. However, four studies specifically focused on Crohn’s disease, burn wounds, cancer-related fatigue and diabetes mellitus, showing no better outcomes. Ten studies did not consider any adverse effects, 19 studies observed no adverse reactions and the remaining studies noted minor gastrointestinal or skin manifestations with Boswellia. The review highlighted that Boswellia could serve as a complementary treatment for patients suffering from the various diseases studied. Current evidence suggests that Boswellia is generally well-tolerated. There is a need for additional investigations into its efficacy in various diseases through studies with a large number of participants.