Boswellic Acid and Its Derivatives For the Treatment of Colon Cancer: A Review

Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors globally, characterized by high rates of both incidence and mortality. The prognosis for patients with advanced-stage colon cancer remains grim, and conventional therapeutic modalities are frequently accompanied by significant adverse effects and the emergence of drug resistance. Consequently, there is a pressing need to identify and develop novel therapeutic agents and strategies that offer high efficacy and low toxicity. Boswellic Acids (BAs), a class of pentacyclic triterpenoids extracted from the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, are a cornerstone of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, long celebrated for their potent anti-inflammatory properties. In recent years, a substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that BAs and their derivatives possess remarkable anticancer activities across a spectrum of malignancies, showing particular promise in the context of colon cancer. This review aims to systematically synthesize the latest research advancements concerning the application of BAs and their derivatives in colon cancer therapy. Relevant articles from 2010 to 2026 were collected through Google Scholar. It is designed to conduct an in-depth exploration of their multi-target and multipathway anticancer mechanisms, which encompass the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis and metastasis, modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment, and reversal of multidrug resistance. Furthermore, this review will address the structural optimization of BA derivatives, their pharmacokinetic profiles, and the synergistic potential of combination therapies with existing chemotherapeutic agents.