Therapeutic potential of Boswellia-derived compounds in skin conditions

Boswellia species and the resins like frankincense derived from them have long been used in traditional medical systems for the treatment of inflammatory and skin disorders owing to their diverse bioactive constituents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the dermatological potential of Boswellia species and their metabolites in inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin diseases, with particular emphasis on boswellic acids. A PRISMA-guided literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect identified studies on the phytochemistry, biological activities, and dermatological applications of frankincense-producing species, supplemented by information on taxonomy and traditional uses. The genus Boswellia comprises more than 20 recognized species distributed across the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa. Their oleo-gum resins are rich in pentacyclic triterpenes, particularly 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), which exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and wound-healing activities. Preclinical studies demonstrate that Boswellia-derived preparations attenuate key pathogenic pathways in psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis, promote wound healing, and protect against radiation and burn-induced skin injury. Emerging evidence also supports potential applications in skin aging, pigmentation disorders, and melanoma. Clinical studies suggest that topical Boswellia formulations may improve psoriasis, eczema, photoaging, striae distensae, and radiotherapy induced skin reactions; however, the available evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short treatment durations, heterogeneous methodologies, and variability in species, extraction procedures, and formulations. Overall, Boswellia species, particularly B. sacra, B. serrata, B. papyrifera, and B. carterii, represent promising multi-target candidates for dermatological applications. Future research should prioritize sustainable sourcing, phytochemical standardization, species-specific comparisons, and well-designed clinical trials to establish efficacy, optimal formulations, dosing strategies, and long-term safety.