Therapeutic potential of boswellic acids: an update patent review (2016–2023)

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Boswellic acids (BAs) are a group of pentacyclic triterpenoids of the ursane and oleanane type. They have shown very interesting biological properties that have led to the development of a number of synthesis protocols. Both natural BAs and their synthetic derivatives may be useful in the treatment of a variety of cancers, viral infections and inflammatory diseases.

Areas covered

This review covers patents relating to the therapeutic activities of natural BAs and their synthetic derivatives. The latest patented studies of boswellic acids (are summarized by using the keywords ‘boswellic acid,’ in SciFinder, PubMed, and Google Patents and databases in the year from 2016 to 2023.

Expert opinion

Boswellic acids have shown potent antiviral, anticancer and anti-inflammatory potential. Few BAs analogues have been prepared by modification at the C24-CO₂H functional groups. In particular, the C-24 amide and amino analogues have shown enhanced anticancer effects compared to the parent AKBA. In addition, BAs have the ability to form conjugates with other antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs that synergistically enhance their biological efficacy. In addition, this conjugation strategy will increase the solubility and bioavailability of BAs, which is one of the most important issues in the development of BAs.

KEYWORDS:

• Boswellic acids
• anticancer
• anti-inflammatory
• apoptosis
• in vitro
• in vivo

Article highlights

• Boswellic acids (BAs) are pentacyclic triterpenoids which were isolated from frankincense.

• This review describes the efforts over the last eight years (2016-2023) to develop BAs based therapies.

• Modification of active BAs via C24-CO2H enhances their anti-cancer potentials by the addition of pharmacophores such as pyran, pyridine, pyridazine, thiopyran, pyrimidine, pyrazinyl, tetrahydrofuran and many others.

• BAs have a great deal of potential in the treatment of diabetes, cancer, viral infections and inflammation.

Abbreviations

5-LOX	=	5-Lipoxygenase
COX-2	=	Cyclooxygenase-2
IL-1β	=	Interleukin-1β
IL-6	=	Interleukin 6
COVID-19	=	Coronavirus disease 2019
LTB4	=	Leukotriene B4
TNF-α	=	Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha
RANKL	=	Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand
ERK	=	Extracellular signal-regulated kinase
TB4	=	Thymosin-beta-4
LTB4R1	=	Leukotriene B4 Receptor
HboV	=	Human bocavirus 1
MERS	=	Middle East respiratory syndrome
SARS-CoV-1	=	Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1
SARS-CoV-2	=	Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
RSV	=	Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or material discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or mending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

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

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.