Boswellia treatment of osteoarthritis
5-Loxin is a product made from Boswellia serrata (aka Salai guggal in Ayurvedic medicine).
It has anti-inflammatory action, and was used in this study to treat osteoarthritis of the knee.
First, the details.
- 75 patients were treated with 100 mg or 250 mg of 5-Loxin daily or placebo.
- Treatment lasted 90 days.
- Patients were evaluated for pain and physical function.
- Additionally, metalloproteinase-3 (a marker for joint inflammation and destruction) was evaluated in synovial (joint) fluid.
And, the results.
- Both doses of 5-Loxin were associated with clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and physical function scores.
- Improvements with 5-Loxin 250 mg were observed 7 days after starting treatment.
- There was also a significant reduction in synovial fluid matrix metalloproteinase-3.
- 5-Loxin was well tolerated.
The bottom line?
It’s reported that 5-Loxin is not a COX-2 inhibitor — a form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that targets COX-2, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain. Rather, it’s described as a selective, non-redox inhibitor of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase.
The authors concluded, “5-Loxin reduces pain and improves physical functioning significantly in osteoarthritis patients; and it is safe for human consumption.”
Yes, the results are encouraging, but any conclusion regarding it’s safety will require more than a 90-day study of 75 patients. I was unable to find published long-term safety data on 5-Loxin, just a rat study.
More background on Boswellia can be found here.
8/1/08 15:09 JR