The evidence for the effectiveness of B serrata extracts is encouraging but not compelling
OBJECTIVE To assess evidence from r and omised clinical trials about the effectiveness of  extracts of Boswellia serrata ( frankincense ) .
A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin® for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Introduction 5-Loxin ® is a novel Boswellia serrata extract enriched with 30 % 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid ( AKBA ) , which exhibits potential anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme . A 90-day , double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin ® in the treatment of osteoarthritis ( OA ) of the knee . Methods Seventy-five OA patients were included in the study . The patients received either 100 mg ( n = 25 ) or 250 mg ( n = 25 ) of 5-Loxin ® daily or a placebo ( n = 25 ) for 90 days . Each patient was evaluated for pain and physical functions by using the st and ard tools ( visual analog scale , Lequesne 's Functional Index , and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index ) at the baseline ( day 0 ) , and at days 7 , 30 , 60 and 90 . Additionally , the cartilage degrading enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-3 was also evaluated in synovial fluid from OA patients . Measurement of a battery of biochemical parameters in serum and haematological parameters , and urine analysis were performed to evaluate the safety of 5-Loxin ® in OA patients . Results Seventy patients completed the study . At the end of the study , both doses of 5-Loxin ® conferred clinical ly and statistically significant improvements in pain scores and physical function scores in OA patients . Interestingly , significant improvements in pain score and functional ability were recorded in the treatment group supplemented with 250 mg 5-Loxin ® as early as 7 days after the start of treatment . Corroborating the improvements in pain scores in treatment groups , we also noted significant reduction in synovial fluid matrix metalloproteinase-3 . In comparison with placebo , the safety parameters were almost unchanged in the treatment groups . Conclusion 5-Loxin ® reduces pain and improves physical functioning significantly in OA patients ; and it is safe for human consumption . 5-Loxin ® may exert its beneficial effects by controlling inflammatory responses through reducing proinflammatory modulators , and it may improve joint health by reducing the enzymatic degradation of cartilage in OA patients .Trail Registration ( Clinical trial registration number : IS RCT N05212803 .
The evidence for the effectiveness of B serrata extracts is encouraging but not compelling
OBJECTIVE To assess evidence from r and omised clinical trials about the effectiveness of  extracts of Boswellia serrata ( frankincense ) .