Researchers Discover Frankincense Possible Remedy for Bladder Cancer

Frankincense resin is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia (family Burseraceae).  Incisions are made in the trunks of the trees to produce exuded gum, which appears as milk like resin.

The resin hardens into orange-brown gum resin known as frankincense.  The aroma from these resins is valued for its presumed healing properties since the time of the ancient Egyptians, and has been used in incense, fumigants, and as a fixative in perfumes.

The resins of Boswellia carteri and Boswellia serrata have been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease in traditional medicine of many countries. 

The anti-inflammatory activity has been attribute to the resin’s ability in regulating immune cytokines production and leukocyte infiltration. Boswellia serrata extract also exhibits anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities.  . 

Now, an enriched extract of the Somalian Frankincense herb Boswellia carteri has been shown to kill off bladder cancer cells. Research demonstrates that this herb has the potential for an alternative therapy for bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is twice as common in males as it is in females. In the US, bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men, whilst in the UK it is the seventh most common cause of death amongst males.

HK Lin and his research team set out to evaluate frankincense oil for its anti-tumour activity in bladder cancer cells. The authors investigated the effects of the oil in two different types of cells in culture: human bladder cancer cells and normal bladder cells. The team found that frankincense oil is able to discriminate between normal and cancerous bladder cells in culture, and specifically kill cancer cells.

Gene expression analyses were performed to determine how frankincense oil affects bladder cancer cell survival. The team found that the oil suppresses cancer cell growth by arresting cell cycle progression and induces bladder cancer cell death by activating multiple cell death pathways.

Dr Lin said, “Frankincense oil may represent an inexpensive alternative therapy for patients currently suffering from bladder cancer.”

References:
1. Mark Barton Frank, Qing Yang, Jeanette Osban, Joseph T Azzarello, Marcia R Saban, Ricardo Saban, Richard A Ashley, Jan C Welter, Kar-Ming Fung and Hsueh-Kung Lin. Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity . BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
2. Image by tamra hays.