Native extracts of Curcumin and Boswellia are known to exert anti-inflammatory properties,
but have poor bioavailability when given orally. Through advanced micellation technology,
it has been possible to produce stable solubilisates of these extracts, thereby markedly
enhancing their bioavailability and consequently reducing the orally administered
dose and reducing their potential adverse effects. In the present study, we compared
the chronic anti-inflammatory activities of native curcumin and boswellia extracts
with the solubilized form of both in the adjuvant arthritis model upon daily administration
for three weeks. Diclofenac was used as reference drug. 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: TNF-α, IL-6. The findings confirm that the
solubilsates of curcumin and boswellia extracts allow the use of much lower doses
than required in the native form to achieve a potent anti-inflammatory effect. 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, which has been used as a reference drug, and the combination of solubilized
curcumin and boswellia extracts.
