Antiangiogenic Activity of Boswellia Serrata Extract

Boswellia Serrata (BA) is one of the traditional medicines being used since ancient time and is believed to have a variety of beneficial effects on human body. It is more commonly used in treatment of arthritis. Recent human studies have shown that Boswellia serrata may contribute to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. However little is known about effect of whole extract on angiogenesis in animal models. In this work, we have demonstrated antiangiogenic effects of Boswellia Serrata extract on three different models of angiogenesis – Chicken Chorioallentoic Membrane assay (CAM), Subcutaneous air pouch in rat (SAC) and Mesenteric window angiogenesis in rat (MWA). The extract showed dose dependent reduction in blood vessel development and nature of newly formed vessels. These effects further suggest that whole extract of Boswellia Serrata is useful as an herbal medicine for angiogenesis dependent diseases either alone or in combination with other pharmacotherapeutic or Chemotherapeutic agents.