Animal studies performed in India showed ingestion of a defatted alcoholic extract of Boswellia decreased polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration and migration, decreased primary antibody synthesis and caused almost total inhibition of the classical complement pathway. In an in vitro study of the effects of ß-Boswellic acid on the complement system,the extract demonstrated a marked inhibitory effect on both the classical and alternate complement systems.

In vitro testing revealed Boswellia in a dose-dependent manner, blocks the synthesis of pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase products, including 5- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which cause bronchoconstriction, chemotaxis, and increased vascular permeability. A recent in vivo study examined Boswellia extract and ketoprofen for their effects on glycosaminoglycan metabolism. Boswellia significantly reduced the degradation of glycosaminoglycans compared to controls, whereas ketoprofen caused a reduction in total tissue glycosaminoglycan content.

It is used in rheumatic disorders. It is also used to improve appetite, osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis, diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary disease, and ringworm and in general weakness. It has an antidiarrhoeal action. The ability to inhibit 5-Lipoxygenase makes Boswellia a powerful anti-inflammatory. Boswellia is also used to treat Ulcerative Colitis. In Ayurveda, Boswellia has been used as a treatment for rheumatism, nervous system disorders, and as a topical anti-inflammatory.

For rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, 150 mg of boswellic acids are taken three times per day. As an example, if an extract contains 37.5% boswellic acids, 400 mg of the extract would be taken three times daily. In the one clinical trial to date, people with ulcerative colitis used 550 mg of boswellia extract three times per day.