Boswellic Acids and Malignant Glioma
Author Information
Author(s): Glaser T, Winter S, Groscurth P, Safayhi H, Sailer E-R, Ammon H P T, Schabet M, Weller M
Primary Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tübingen, Germany
Hypothesis
Boswellic acids may serve as alternative drugs to corticosteroids in treating cerebral oedema in malignant glioma patients.
Conclusion
Boswellic acids induce apoptosis in malignant glioma cells without affecting drug sensitivity.
Supporting Evidence
- Boswellic acids are cytotoxic to malignant glioma cells at low micromolar concentrations.
- Boswellic acid-induced apoptosis requires protein synthesis but not RNA synthesis.
- Subtoxic concentrations of boswellic acids do not interfere with cancer drug toxicity.
- Boswellic acids synergize with the cytotoxic cytokine, CD95 ligand, in inducing glioma cell apoptosis.
Takeaway
Boswellic acids can kill cancer cells in the brain without making other cancer treatments less effective.
Methodology
The study used in-situ DNA end labeling and electron microscopy to assess the effects of boswellic acids on glioma cells.
Limitations
Further studies in laboratory animals and human patients are needed to confirm the findings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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