Anti-inflammatory terpenoids from Boswellia ovalifoliolata

Abstract

Ten compounds, including three new compounds (1–3, one sesquiterpenoid and two triterpenoids), were isolated and characterized from the ethanolic extract of oleo-gum-resin from Boswellia ovalifoliolata. It is noteworthy that, for the first time, compound 4 has been reported from any of Boswellia species, and 5–9 from B. ovalifoliolata. These isolated compounds were screened for TNF-α inhibition and the results showed that 2 and 5 significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α at 1 μM, whereas inhibition by rolipram (a standard TNF-α inhibitor) occurred at 100 μM. Furthermore, 2 and 5 were found to considerably reduce levels of interleukin (IL-6 and IL-8) and nitric oxide (NO) production, which suggests they have anti-inflammatory potential and possible therapeutic uses.