A brief overview of Boswellia serrata a potential herbal treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Herbal medicine has gained significant global importance, not only as a form of medicine but also as an economic factor. Although the utilization of herbal medicines has witnessed a surge, questions persist about their consistency, safety, and efficacy in different regions. Boswellic acid (BA) represents one of the active constituents extracted from the Boswellia serrata plant, which belongs to the Burseraceae family. The oleoresin gum derived from this plant is known by various names, including Salai guggul, Indian olibanum or Indian frankincense. The active constituents exhibit diverse biological activities, including antidiuretic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. This review aims to provide updated information about Boswellia serrata, its traditional medicinal uses preliminary phytochemical investigation, and pharmacological effects.