The Anticancer Effects of Boswellia (Frankincense)

Recent medical studies have shown promising anticancer effects, making it a potential natural treatment for cancer.

Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, and Retired Pharmacist

Boswellia serrata, or frankincense, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Recent studies have shown promising anticancer effects, making it a potential natural treatment for cancer.

Health Benefits of Boswellia

Boswellia offers a range of health benefits beyond its anticancer properties. Its potent anti-inflammatory effects make it helpful in treating conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and asthma. Additionally, Boswellia can help reduce pain and improve respiratory health.[i]

Boswellia Anticancer  Ingredients and Mechanisms

Boswellia's anticancer properties are primarily attributed to its active compounds, boswellic acids. These compounds inhibit the production of leukotrienes, molecules that contribute to inflammation and tumor growth. Boswellic acids also interfere with cytokine production, which can damage DNA and promote tumor growth. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is considered the most potent. These acids have been shown to reduce tumor proliferation and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells.[ii] [iii]

Boswellia and Brain Cancer

Boswellia serrata has shown potential in penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and exhibiting anti-cancer actions on brain cancer. Studies suggest that boswellic acids, particularly acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), can cross the BBB and target brain tumor cells. This ability to penetrate the BBB is crucial for treating brain cancers, which are often challenging to treat due to the barrier's restrictive nature. Research indicates that AKBA can induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of brain cancer cells, offering a promising approach to brain cancer therapy.[iv] [v] [vi]

Boswellia and Cancer

Boswellic Acids have been reported in medical research studies to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of various cancers, such as:[vii] [viii] [ix]

• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Potential Side Effects of Boswellia

While boswellia is generally considered safe, some potential side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Before using boswellia, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider familiar with its effects on the body, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Potential Interactions of Boswellia with Other Medications

Boswellia may interact with other medications, particularly those that affect blood clotting. It is crucial to inform your healthcare provider and team about any supplements or medications you are taking to avoid potential interactions. Click here for Drugs.com Interaction Checker.

Boswellia Interactions with Cancer Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

Boswellia serrata may enhance the effectiveness and decrease the side effects of specific chemotherapy treatments. Research suggests that boswellic acids, the active compounds in Boswellia, can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs, potentially improving their efficacy.[x] Additionally, boswellic acids have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help mitigate some of the adverse effects associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea, cachexia, and neuropathy.[xi] However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm these benefits and establish safe usage guidelines.

Boswellia serrata may enhance the effectiveness of cancer radiation therapy. Research indicates that acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), a compound found in Boswellia, can reduce the NF-κB signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in cancer cell survival and proliferation. Studies have shown that combining AKBA with radiation therapy can result in a synergistic effect, leading to increased tumor cell death and reduced tumor growth compared to radiation therapy alone. This suggests that Boswellia could potentially improve radiation therapy outcomes for cancer patients.[xii] [xiii]

Limited research exists on the interactions between boswellia and chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, it is advisable to consult with your oncologist and healthcare team before using boswellia during cancer treatment to ensure it does not interfere with the effectiveness of these therapies.

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Boswellia Anti-Coagulant Actions and Concerns

Boswellia has been shown to have anti-coagulant properties, which can help prevent blood clots. However, this can also pose a risk if you are taking prescription anticoagulants, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.[xiv] It is essential to discuss the use of boswellia with your healthcare provider if you are on anticoagulant medication.

Boswellia and Cancer Conclusion

Boswellia has excellent potential as an integrative natural treatment for cancer due to its anticancer properties and other health benefits. However, it is essential to use it under the guidance of a healthcare provider to avoid potential side effects and interactions with other medications. Further research is needed to understand its mechanisms and long-term effects fully.

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Reference Sources

[i] Roy NK, Parama D, Banik K, et al. An Update on Pharmacological Potential of Boswellic Acids against Chronic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(17):4101. Published 2019 Aug 22. doi:10.3390/ijms20174101 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6747466/

[ii] Trivedi VL, Soni R, Dhyani P, et al. Anti-cancer properties of boswellic acids: mechanism of action as anti-cancerous agent. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1187181. Published 2023 Aug 3. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1187181 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10434769/

[iii] Schmiech M, Lang SJ, Ulrich J, et al. Comparative Investigation of Frankincense Nutraceuticals: Correlation of Boswellic and Lupeolic Acid Contents with Cytokine Release Inhibition and Toxicity against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2341. Published 2019 Oct 2. doi:10.3390/nu11102341 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6836131/

[iv] Efferth T, Oesch F. Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities. Semin Cancer Biol. 2022;80:39-57. doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.01.015 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1044579X20300341?via%3Dihub

[v] Viswanathan, A., Brahma, N. & S, V. Transforming brain cancer therapeutics: unlocking the power of blood-brain barrier-targeting strategies for superior treatment outcomes and precision medicine. Neurosurg Rev 47, 673 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-024-02873-4

[vi] Kirste S, Treier M, Wehrle SJ, et al. Boswellia serrata acts on cerebral edema in patients irradiated for brain tumors: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial. Cancer. 2011;117(16):3788-3795. doi:10.1002/cncr.25945 https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.25945

[vii] Trivedi, V. L., Soni, R., Dhyani, P., Sati, P., Tejada, S., Sureda, A., Setzer, W. N., Modu, B., & Butnariu, M. (2023). Anti-cancer properties of boswellic acids: Mechanism of action as anti-cancerous agent. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, 1187181. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1187181

[viii] Li W, Liu J, Fu W, et al. 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid exerts anti-tumor effects in glioblastoma by arresting cell cycle at G2/M phase [published correction appears in J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2022 Aug 3;41(1):236. doi: 10.1186/s13046-022-02454-7.]. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2018;37(1):132. Published 2018 Jul 3. doi:10.1186/s13046-018-0805-4 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029111/

[ix] Neeta . and Harish Dureja, 2014. Role of Boswellic Acids in Cancer Treatment. Journal of Medical Sciences, 14: 261-269. 10.3923/jms.2014.261.269 https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jms.2014.261.269

[x] Fahmy SA, Sedky NK, Hassan HAFM, et al. Synergistic Enhancement of Carboplatin Efficacy through pH-Sensitive Nanoparticles Formulated Using Naturally Derived Boswellia Extract for Colorectal Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics. 2024;16(10):1282. Published 2024 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics16101282 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11510476/

[xi] Loyala JV, Down B, Wong E, Tan B. Treatment of Cachexia in Gastric Cancer: Exploring the Use of Anti-Inflammatory Natural Products and Their Derivatives. Nutrients. 2024;16(8):1246. Published 2024 Apr 22. doi:10.3390/nu16081246  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11053965/

[xii] Conti, S., Vexler, A., Edry-Botzer, L., Kalich-Philosoph, L., Corn, B. W., Shtraus, N., Meir, Y., Hagoel, L., Shtabsky, A., Marmor, S., Earon, G., & Lev-Ari, S. (2018). Combined acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid and radiation treatment inhibited glioblastoma tumor cells. PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0198627. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198627

[xiii] Rituraj Upadhyay, MD; Haley Perlow, MD; et al. Role of Boswellia Serrata in Management of CNS Radiation Necrosis After Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases. Appl Rad Oncol. 2023;(1):38-41. https://www.appliedradiationoncology.com/articles/role-of-boswellia-serrata-in-management-of-cns-radiation-necrosis-after-radiosurgery-for-brain-metastases

[xiv] Pan YN, Liang XX, Niu LY, et al. Comparative studies of pharmacokinetics and anticoagulatory effect in rats after oral administration of Frankincense and its processed products. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;172:118-123. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.029 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874115004389?via%3Dihub