boswellia serrata

[harma]

Boswellia serrata extract for the treatment of collagenous colitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.
Madisch A, Miehlke S, Eichele O, Mrwa J, Bethke B, Kuhlisch E, Bästlein E, Wilhelms G, Morgner A, Wigginghaus B, Stolte M.

Medical Department I, Technical University Hospital, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. ahmed.madisch@uniklinikum-dresden.de

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) on symptoms, quality of life, and histology in patients with collagenous colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic diarrhea and histologically proven collagenous colitis were randomized to receive either oral BSE 400 mg three times daily for 6 weeks or placebo. Complete colonoscopy and histology were performed before and after treatment. Clinical symptoms and quality of life were assessed by standardized questionnaires and SF-36. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with clinical remission after 6 weeks (stool frequency<or=3 soft /solid stools per day on average during the last week). Patients of the placebo group with persistent diarrhea received open-label BSE therapy for a further 6 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were randomized; 26 patients were available for per-protocol-analysis. After 6 weeks, the proportion of patients in clinical remission was higher in the BSE group than in the placebo group (per protocol 63.6%; 95%CI, 30.8-89.1 vs 26.7%, 95%CI, 7.7-55.1; p=0.04; intention-to-treat 43.8% vs 26.7%, p=0.25). Compared to placebo, BSE treatment had no effect on histology and quality of life. Five patients discontinued BSE treatment prematurely. Discontinuation was due to adverse events (n=1), unwillingness to continue (n=3), or loss to follow-up for unknown reasons (n=1). Seven patients received open-label BSE therapy, five of whom achieved complete remission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that BSE might be clinically effective in patients with collagenous colitis. Larger trials are clearly necessary to establish the clinical efficacy of BSE.

[ant]

Dear Harma

Thanks for posting. Interesting. Led me to the following website....

http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shallaki.htm

And noted the following reference (my highlight in red):

Therapy of active Crohn disease with Boswellia serrata extract H 15]
Z Gastroenterol. 2001 Jan;39(1):11-7.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare efficacy and safety of the Boswellia serrata extract H15 with mesalazine for the treatment of active Crohn's disease. Randomised, double-blind, verum-controlled, parallel group comparison for which 102 Patients were randomised. The population included 44 patients treated with Boswellia and 39 patients treated with mesalazine. As primary outcome measure the change of the Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) between the status of enrolment and end of therapy was chosen. Boswellia was tested on non-inferiority compared to standard treatment with mesalazine. RESULTS: The CDAI between the status of enrolment and end of therapy after treatment with Boswellia was reduced by 90 and after therapy with mesalazine by 53 scores. The difference between both treatments could not be proven to be statistically significant in favor to Boswellia for the primary outcome measure. The secondary efficacy endpoints confirm the assessment of the comparison of Boswellia and mesalazine. The proven tolerability of Boswellia completes the results of the shown clinical efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that therapy with Boswellia is not inferior to mesalazine. This can be interpreted as evidence for the efficacy of Boswellia according to the state of art in the treatment of active Crohn's disease with Boswellia serrata extract, since the efficacy of mesalazine for this indication has been approved by the health authorities. Considering both safety and efficacy of Boswellia serrata extract H15 it appears to be superior over mesalazine in terms of a benefit-risk-evaluation.

So, if this is sound research, seems like a good alternative to Asacol. Hmmmm?

All Best, Ant

Separate point...

The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with clinical remission after 6 weeks (stool frequency<or=3 soft /solid stools per day on average during the last week)

I wonder why they cannot do trials for more than a six week end point? Research budget I suppose?

[tex]

Harma,

One member has tried it, but that member has a very severe case of MC, so the results may not be typical for anyone else with MC. The following 4 threads describe the details of that trial:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =boswellia

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =boswellia

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =boswellia

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =boswellia

I have experimented with Boswellia serrata extract for treating headaches, backaches, etc., and it does seem to work, but it takes a fairly stiff dose of it to be effective, for therapeutic use. The capsules that are available on the market, are designed for daily supplemental use, and they are way too small for therapeutic use. If you use enough of them to be effective, it's not a cheap treatment, (compared with painkillers - of course it's much cheaper than Entocort EC, and most prescription drugs, though).

I wonder why they cannot do trials for more than a six week end point? Research budget I suppose?

I have a hunch that's just part of the medical/pharmaceutical mindset, that says something to the effect of, "If a drug can't do the job in 6 weeks, it's time to try something else". Most drugs do seem to fall under that time frame, but obviously, that's a rather simplistic approach, and certainly does not realistically apply to every situation.

Tex

[harma]

Tex, ant thanks for the replies, I just found it and wanted to share it hear, I am not going to try it now at least, I stick to my diet and my pills for now, that works very well and will give this a change first

[ant]

Well, I bought some Boswellia Serrate today. I plan to take 200 mg per day for the next 2 weeks while SLOWLY tapering off Entocort. For the last two days I have reduced Entocort from 3 to 2 per day and if all goes OK will reduce from 2 to one in two weeks time. IF this does not work I am going to give in and try out what my GI wants me to do: i.e. move gradually from Entocort to Salofalk/Asacol.

For the last 6 weeks have only had 2 Ds and 85% of my BMs have been firm or firmish, so I feel I can try this.
Best, Ant

[Bifcus16]

Before I had MC, I tried Boswellia to control my odd 'swelling' hands and feet. It was the most effective thing I had tried. Of course, I know now that gluten free is far more effective for me in resolving that symptom.

It will be interesting to hear how you go.

Lyn

[ant]

Just to let you know. In another post I said I could not find more of the Boswellia, but I did so I have continued to take 6 X 200 mg per day. Still 2 Entocort and pretty much a Paleo diet. Since going down to 2 Entocort 2 weeks ago, I have had 5 loose stools (but not D) and the rest were firm to firmish. Average 1.4 stools a day. I have been experimenting with coconut, herbs, onions and light curry as well as introducing more vegetables into my diet.

Love, ant