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AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-B-boswellic acid)
is an extract of the boswellia plant given the trademark
name
5-LOXIN®.
Specific extracts from the Boswellia plant selectively
inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme (5-LOX). This
is not surprising when one considers that various boswellia
extracts have been used for centuries in India as
anti-inflammatory agents.
In several well-controlled human studies, boswellia has been
shown to be effective in alleviating various chronic
inflammatory disorders. Scientists
have discovered that the specific constituent in boswellia
responsible for suppressing 5-LOX is AKBA
(3-O-acetyl-11-keto-B-boswellic acid)(5-LOXIN®).
Boswellia-derived AKBA binds directly to 5-LOX and inhibits
its activity. Other
boswellic acids only partially and incompletely inhibit
5-LOX.
Methods to extract high concentrations of AKBA from
boswellia have been intensively investigated due to AKBA’s
potential in treating chronic inflammatory disorders. Even
in standardized boswellia extracts, however, biologically
active AKBA makes up only 2-5% of the final product.
So, what is 5-LOXIN?
Several years ago, researchers discovered how to obtain an
economically viable boswellia extract standardized to
contain a greater than 30% concentration of AKBA. This 30%
AKBA extraction discovery was patented and given the
trademark name “5-LOXIN®.” When tested against the best
commercial boswellia compounds, 5-LOXIN® exhibited better
inhibitory action against 5-LOX.
As people age, systemic inflammation can
inflict degenerative effects throughout the body.
A primary cause of this destructive cascade is
the production of cell-signaling chemicals known as
inflammatory cytokines. Along with these dangerous
cytokines, imbalances of hormone-like messengers called
prostaglandins also contribute to inflammatory processes.
The typical American diet is loaded with
foods that contain arachidonic acid (like egg yolk, red
meat, poultry, and dairy products) or stimulate the
production of excess arachidonic acid in the body (foods
rich in high glycemic carbohydrates, saturated fats, and
omega-6 fatty acids).
Scientific studies show that excess
arachidonic acid increases levels of the 5-lipoxygenase
(5-LOX) enzyme, which can induce undesirable effects in
cells. This culminates in the excess accumulation of
leukotriene B4, a pro-inflammatory compound that attacks the
joints, the arterial wall, and other tissues.
In India, extracts from the Boswellia plant have
been used for centuries as fluid-balancing agents. Human
studies have confirmed that 5-LOXIN®
selectively inhibits 5-LOX. A recent study indicated
that 5-LOXIN® may exert its beneficial effects by
controlling inflammatory responses through reducing
pro-inflammatory modulators, and it may improve
joint health by reducing the enzymatic degradation
of cartilage. A 90-day, double-blind, randomized,
placebo-controlled study demonstrated 5-LOXIN®
reduces joint discomfort and improves physical
functioning significantly in human subjects.
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