Meta-Analysis of Boswellia for people with T2DM
Boswellia serrata (frankincense) extracts, in particular those with boswellic acids, have anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects. In this small meta-analysis, 5 studies with 287 total participants with type 2 daibetes mellitus (T2DM) were included.
Compared to placebo or controls, use of Boswellia resulted in significant reductions in:
- HbA1C (SMD: -1.01; 95%CI: -1.55 to -0.46; P=0.00)
- Total cholesterol (SMD: -0.44; 95%CI: -0.68 to -0.21; P=0.00)
- Triglycerides (TG) (SMD: -0.42; 95%CI: -0.66 to -0.19; P=0.00)
- LDL levels (SMD: -0.43; 95%CI: -0.73 to -0.12; P=0.006)
HDL levels were unaffected by Boswellia treatment (SMD: 0.56, 95%CI: -0.14 to -1.26; P=0.118), and while use of Boswellia did result in a reduction in FBS, this finding was non-significant (SMD: -1.34, 95%CI: -2.68 to 0.00; P=0.05).
All 5 of the included clinical trials were conducted in Iran. Doses of Boswellia in the included trials ranged from 500mg to 1200mg daily, for durations of 6 to 12 weeks. Mean participant age was 55, and mean participant BMI was 27.01.
Citation:
Karimi M, Vakili K, Rashidian P, Razavi-Amoli SK, Akhbari M, Kazemi K. Effect of boswellia (Boswellia serrata L.) supplementation on glycemic markers and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Clin Diabetes Healthc. 2024 Oct 10;5:1466408.
Link: