Boswellic acid inhibits atherosclerotic lesions in mice
The February, 2008 issue of the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology reported the finding of researchers at the Institut National de la Sante et de la Research Medicale (INSERM) in France that treatment with boswellic acid inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in a mouse model of the disease.
Boswellic acid is derived from the resin of the Boswellia species, also known as frankincense. Acetyl-boswellic acids have been found to inhibit the signaling of nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-kB), a transcription factor made by the body that initiates inflammation.
"There is increasing recognition of the link between inflammation and atherosclerosis," the authors note.
The researchers induced atherosclerotic lesions in mice bred to develop atherosclerosis via weekly injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an inflammation-promoting endotoxin. During this time, some of the animals were treated daily with a purified water-soluble acetyl-boswellic acid.
At the end of the treatment period, mice that did not receive boswellic acid experienced a 100 percent increase in atherosclerotic lesion size, while lesions in those that received boswellic acid grew by only 50 percent.
Nuclear factor-kappa beta was reduced in the boswellic acid treated animals' plaques, and several NF-kB dependent genes involved in inflammation, including MCP-1, MCP-3, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1a), MIP-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tissue factor (TF) were downregulated.
Boswellic acid did not reduce the rise in cholesterol and triglycerides that accompanied lipopolysaccharide treatment, demonstrating that its effect on atherosclerotic lesions is due to other than lipid level reduction.
The authors conclude that all of the data from the current study clearly indicate that boswellic acid reduced chronic inflammation in the mice through inhibition of the NF-kB system.
"The inhibition of NF-kB by plant resins from species of the Boswellia family might represent an alternative for classical medicine treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis," they suggest.
Boswellic acid is derived from the resin of the Boswellia species, also known as frankincense.
The three wise men in the story of Christmas carried gold, frankincense and myrrh. We all know about gold. What are frankincense and myrrh?
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What are frankincense and myrrh?
Frankincense and myrrh are both resins -- dried tree sap -- that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrhh), which are common to Somalia.
The way that people collect the sap is similar to the way people collect rubber-tree sap or pine-tree sap. Cutting the tree's bark causes the sap to ooze out of the cut. The sap used to create both frankincense and myrrh comes slowly and is allowed to dry on the tree. The hardened sap is collected and used as frankincense and myrrh.
Both in the time of the three wise men and today, frankincense and myrrh are commonly used to create incense. You mix frankincense with things like spices, seeds and roots to create different aromas. Traditionally, you burn the powdered incense with charcoal in a censer or on a small stand. They are also available in other products, and you can check them out here. https://science.howstuffworks.com/question283.htm
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Uses of Myrrh
Myrrh stimulates circulation to mucosal tissues, especially in the bronchial tract, throat, tonsils, and gums. It is an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and antimicrobial, making it ideal for painful or swollen tissues. It is useful for bleeding gums, gingivitis, tonsillitis, sore throat (including strep throat), and bronchitis. The increased blood supply helps fight infection and speed healing when you have a cold, congestion, or infection of the throat or mouth. Myrrh is also valued as an expectorant, which means it promotes the expulsion of mucus in cases of bronchitis and lung congestion. Myrrh is best for chronic conditions with pale and swollen tissues, rather than for acute, inflamed, red, and dry tissues, because it contains tannins and resins, which have an astringent effect on tissues.
Myrrh also may promote menstrual flow and is recommended when menstruation is accompanied by a heavy sensation in the pelvis. In China, myrrh is considered a "blood mover." It may alleviate menstrual cramps.
Sometimes I wonder if it wasn't goldenseal that the three wise men really brought instead of gold.
anyway, I knew someone who had a bad pitting recluse bite on her lower abdomen. After a year of failed treatments where the wound got deeper and wider she started packing it with goldenseal and myrrh. It healed up in three months with this treatment.
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"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." Marcus Aurelius
Boswellia May Combat Atherosclerosis
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