Boswellia serrata proved to ease knee osteoarthritis pain and improve mobility

Osteoarthritis of the knee can be a debilitating condition, but a new research published in "Frontiers in Pharmacology" revealed that the gum resin of Boswellia serrata offers a promising solution for pain relief and improves mobility for people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. The aim was to explore the safety and effectiveness of two doses of Boswellia serrata in supporting joint health and alleviating knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

In this 90-day randomized study, 105 participants with degenerative hypertrophy osteoarthritis  (mild to moderate) were randomly assigned to receive either 150 or 300 mg Boswellia serrata or a placebo, twice daily. Pain and function were measured with the aid of various standard tools, including the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Additionally, inflammatory biomarkers and safety were also assessed in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ninety-eight subjects completed the study. Pain score betterments were witnessed as early as five days after starting the supplement in both the 150 mg and 300 mg groups. After 90 days, participants taking Boswellia serrata experienced notable improvements in pain, function and mobility as shown in Table 1 below.

Inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased, and no significant adverse events were reported. The study concluded that Boswellia serrata is a safe and effective option for reducing osteoarthritis symptoms and enhancing the joint health of knees. Thus, this natural remedy could be a valuable addition to osteoarthritis management strategies.