Boswellia serrata (Indian Frankincense)

Boswellia serrata resin and extracts are not consumed as a conventional food source, so macronutrient profiling is not the primary framework; however, key compositional data is established. The resin comprises approximately 5–10% essential oils (monoterpenes and diterpenes including α-thujene, α-pinene, and limonene), 60–70% resin acids (triterpenoids), and 20–30% polysaccharides (arabinose, galactose-based gums). The primary bioactive compounds are pentacyclic triterpenic boswellic acids, constituting roughly 25–40% of the dry resin extract: β-boswellic acid (~15–20% of total boswellic acid fraction), acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA, approximately 1–5% in raw resin, enriched to 10–30% in standardized extracts such as Shallaki or 5-Loxin). AKBA is considered the most potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with an IC50 in the low micromolar range. Standardized commercial extracts (e.g., 65% total boswellic acids by HPLC) are the most studied forms. Bioavailability of boswellic acids is notably limited by poor aqueous solubility; oral bioavailability is enhanced when taken with a high-fat meal (lipid co-administration increases Cmax by approximately 2–3 fold). Phospholipid complexes (e.g., Phytosome formulations) further improve absorption. Mineral and vitamin content in resin extracts is negligible and not nutritionally significant. Protein content is minimal (<1%). Dietary fiber equivalents from polysaccharide gums are present but not relevant at supplemental doses (typical clinical doses: 300–500 mg standardized extract, 2–3 times daily).