Talk:Shallaki
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Shallaki |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Boswellia serrata Roxb. |
| Family | Burseraceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Boswellia serrata Roxb., popularly known as Shallaki, is a moderate-to-large branching tree of the family Burseraceae, found in the dry mountainous regions of India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. It is regarded as one of the ancient and most valued herbs of Ayurveda, and its oleo-gum resin is used as an anti-inflammatory and joint-supportive therapeutic agent.[1]
English name
Indian olibanum
Therapeutic Uses
Jwara (fever), Pradara (discharge), Swasa (dyspnea), Pittabhishyanda, Sarkarameha, Vrushna shoola (pain in scrotum).[2]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Shallaki, Gajabhakshya, Suvaha, Surabhi, Rasa, Maheruna, Kunduru.
Additional Synonyms in Bhavprakasha Nighantu
Vallaki, Bahushrava (releases profuse quantity of exudates).[3]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Astringent (kashaya), Bitter (tikta), Sweet (madhura) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(32) | Purishvirajaniya mahakashaya (faecal depigmentors) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/23 | Dhuma varti dravya (therapeutic inhalation for prevention of disease) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/144 | Kashaya-skandha (group of astringent drugs) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Kalpa Sthana 1/8 | Deshavichara |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/153 | As an ingredient of Bala taila |
| 7 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/161 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi taila |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/108 | Used in the treatment of Vipluta |
Dose
- 1–3 g (Gum resin powder)[2]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[2]
- Karpuradyarka
- Jirakadi modaka
- Bala taila
- Bala guduchyadi taila
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, South India.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic potential of Boswellia serrata is concentrated in its oleo-gum resin. The resin contains monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, tetracyclic triterpenic acids and four major pentacyclic triterpenic acids.[1]
- Boswellic acids (pentacyclic triterpenic acids): β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA).
- Terpenes: Monoterpenes and diterpenes.
- Tetracyclic triterpenic acids.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Anti-inflammatory Mechanism
- Mechanism: Boswellic acids, isolated from the gum resin, decrease the formation of leukotriene B4 by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). In vitro, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) was the most potent (IC50 1.5 µM); boswellic acids did not impair cyclooxygenase or 12-lipoxygenase, indicating a specific, non-redox type of 5-LO inhibition.[4]
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
- Scientific Evidence: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis (15 per group) received Boswellia serrata extract or placebo for eight weeks each, with a washout period before crossover. Drug treatment was associated with decreased knee pain, increased knee flexion, increased walking distance and reduced frequency of knee swelling; there was no radiological change.[5]
Ulcerative Colitis
- Scientific Evidence: In a controlled clinical trial in patients with ulcerative colitis (grade II and III), Boswellia serrata gum resin (350 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks) was compared with sulfasalazine (1 g thrice daily). Stool properties, rectal histopathology and blood parameters improved; 82% of the treated patients went into remission against 75% with sulfasalazine.[6]
Bronchial Asthma (Swasa)
- Scientific Evidence: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, six-week clinical study of 80 adults with bronchial asthma (40 per group; 300 mg Boswellia serrata gum resin thrice daily), improvement was greater in the Boswellia group than in the placebo group.[7]
Safety and Tolerability
- Tolerability: In the knee osteoarthritis trial, the extract was well tolerated apart from minor gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions.[5]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis of the knee | Boswellic acids (AKBA, KBA) | 5-Lipoxygenase inhibition; reduced pain and swelling, improved flexion |
| Ulcerative colitis | Boswellic acids | Clinical and histological improvement; remission comparable to sulfasalazine |
| Bronchial asthma (Swasa) | Boswellic acids | Greater clinical improvement than placebo |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Siddiqui, M. Z. (2011). "Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview". Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 73 (3): 255–261. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.93507.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 4:24
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Vatadi Varga, Verse no. 22, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020
- ↑ Safayhi, H.; Mack, T.; Sabieraj, J.; Anazodo, M. I.; Subramanian, L. R.; Ammon, H. P. (1992). "Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase". Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 261 (3): 1143–1146. PMID 1602379.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kimmatkar, N.; Thawani, V.; Hingorani, L.; Khiyani, R. (2003). "Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee – a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial". Phytomedicine. 10 (1): 3–7.
- ↑ Gupta, I.; Parihar, A.; Malhotra, P.; Singh, G. B.; Lüdtke, R.; Safayhi, H.; Ammon, H. P. (1997). "Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis". European Journal of Medical Research. 2 (1): 37–43. PMID 9049593.
- ↑ Gupta, I.; Gupta, V.; Parihar, A.; Gupta, S.; Lüdtke, R.; Safayhi, H.; Ammon, H. P. (1998). "Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study". European Journal of Medical Research. 3 (11): 511–514.