Boswellic acids (BAs) are a natural mixture isolated from oleo gum resin of Boswellia serrata (frankincense)comprised of four major pentacyclic triterpene acids Ref. They have been shown to have various biological effects, one of them being anti-inflammatory properties.
One of the mechanisms through which BAs exert their anti-inflammatory effects is by inhibiting the lipooxygenase pathway. The lipooxygenase pathway is an enzymatic pathway that converts arachidonic acid, a type of fatty acid, into leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators. Specifically, the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) is is the one which is blocked.
A study of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in osteoarthritis (OA) knee against valdecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor was done and published in 2007. It showed comparable and even longer lasting effects. The dose used in the study was 333 mg of the Boswellia serrata extract 3 times a day (1 g per day). No significant adverse effects were reported
References:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.11.019
https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.30759