A medicinal plant for relieving joint pain

Increasingly common among older adults, joint pain impairs daily life for many people across the world. Fortunately, a number of research teams are focusing their attention on identifying effective pain relief solutions. One such remedy could be Boswellia serrata, a medicinal plant well-known in Asia which, according to a study published in 2016 in the European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences¹, could provide relief for thousands of joint pain sufferers.

Positive effects observed with knee pain

This eight-week, placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of treatment with an extract based on Boswellia serrata among a group of Japanese adults with reported knee pain. Standard measures were used to monitor their perceived levels of knee pain and treatment efficacy: Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM), and Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). After eight weeks’ intervention, positive scores were reported in the subjects treated with Boswellia serrata compared with the placebo group, thus suggesting that this medicinal plant could be a significant aid to alleviating knee pain.

Beneficial action of the medicinal plantBoswellia serrata

To better understand the plant’s action, the researchers also measured C-reactive protein and hyaluronic acid in patients’ serum, levels of which are usually elevated in cases of joint pain. This is primarily due to the degradation of hyaluronic acid which is naturally present in synovial fluid to protect joint cartilage. When broken down by the action of the enzyme hyaluronidase, hyaluronic acid increases in serum and it is no longer able to protect the joints, hence the onset of persistent pain. According to these researchers, Boswellia serrata may counter this process by reducing the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the joints.

All of which suggests this medicinal plant could soon prove to be a valuable aid for relieving joint pain! The benefits of Boswellia serrata are available now as a patented extract in dietary supplement form available from the Supersmart catalogue.

---

> Source :

1. Muhammed Majeed et al., Effect of Boswelln Super on Knee pain in Japanese adults - A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial, ejbps, 2016, Volume 3, Issue 10, pages 293-298.