Novel formulations of Curcumin, Boswellia and Xanthohumol extracts markedly enhance their individual and combined anti-inflammatory activity

The chronic anti-inflammatory activity of novel formulations of extracts of curcumin, boswellia and xanthohumol as stable solubilisates have been tested in the rat adjuvant induced arthritis model and compared with the native extracts. Female Wistar rats were inoculated with sub-plantar injections of Freund's complete adjuvant [1]. Native and solubilized extracts of curcumin, boswellia, and xanthohumol were given orally daily in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg for 21 days. Diclofenac (3 mg/kg) was run parallel as a reference drug. The rat paw edema was measured every 4 days. After 21 days, the rats were sacrificed and serum was used to measure relevant parameters to the inflammatory process. The combination of solubilisates of curcumin and boswellia extracts showed a better anti-inflammatory effect than either one alone. The reduction in paw volume was reflected in corresponding changes in relevant parameters for mediators of inflammation: C-reactive protein level, myeloperoxidase activity, total anti-oxidant activity, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as well as the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6.

The findings show that the solubilsates of curcumin and boswellia extracts have a much more potent anti-inflammatory effect than the native forms. Moreover the combination of curcumin and boswellia solubilisates show that they potentiate one another to produce a therapeutic effect equivalent to if not more potent than diclofenac. Much better results were obtained with the combination of solubilized xanthohumol and curcumin, which revealed an even more potent anti-inflammatory effect than diclofenac, and better than the combination of solubilized curcumin and boswellia extracts. The findings open new perspectives in anti-inflammatory therapy allowing the use of smaller doses of herbal extracts with a lower risk of side effects.

Reference:

[1] Pearson CM. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1956; 91: 95 – 101