Frankincense diterpenes as a bio-source for drug discovery

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Frankincense (Boswellia sp.) gum resins have been employed as an incense in cultural and religious ceremonies for many years. Frankincense resin has over the years been employed to treat depression, inflammation, and cancer in traditional medicines.

Areas covered

This inclusive review focuses on the significance of frankincense diterpenoids, and in particular, incensole derivatives for establishment future treatments of depression, neurological disorders, and cancer. The authors survey the available literature and furnish an overview of future perspectives of these intriguing molecules.

Expert opinion

Numerous diterpenoids including cembrane, prenylaromadendrane, and the verticillane-type have been isolated from various Boswellia resins. Cembrane-type diterpenoids occupy a crucial position in pharmaceutical chemistry and related industries because of their intriguing biological and encouraging pharmacological potentials. Several cembranes have been reported to possess anti-Alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antimalarial effects along with a good possibility to treat anxiety and depression. Although some slight drawbacks of these compounds have been noted, including the selectivity of these diterpenoids, there is a great need to address these in future research endeavors. Moreover, it is vitally important for medicinal chemists to prepare libraries of incensole-heterocyclic analogs as well as hybrid compounds between incensole or its acetate and anti-depressant or anti-inflammatory drugs.

KEYWORDS:

• Frankincense
• cembrane
• prenylaromadendrane
• verticillane
• inflammation
• depression
• alzheimer’s

Article highlights

• Frankincense resin has over the years been employed in traditional medicines to treat depression, inflammation, and cancer

• Various diterpenes have been isolated from frankincense and demonstrated intriguing biological activities

• Among frankincense diterpenoids, incensole, and its acetate illustrated significant biological and pharmacological effects

• Frankincense diterpenoids possess anti- inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antimalarial, and cytotoxic effects

• These diterpenoids have a great potential to be used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of Interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

H Hussain (HH) acknowledges the support of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for its generous support by means of a fellowship.