Boswellia serrata and SN-38 combination synergistically reduces glioblastoma cell viability and activates apoptosis.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an exceptionally aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor, notorious for its poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Current chemotherapies often face challenges like systemic toxicity, poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the rapid development of therapeutic resistance, leading to high recurrence rates. There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies that can overcome these limitations, potentially through combination approaches that target multiple pathways or enhance existing drug efficacy. Boswellia serrata extract, rich in boswellic acids, has shown promise due to its anti-inflammatory and apoptosis-inducing properties, making it a candidate for combination therapy in aggressive cancers.

Researchers investigated the anticancer effects of SN-38 and Boswellia serrata extract, alone and in combination, on human U373 glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Cells were treated for 24 hours with various concentrations: SN-38 10 µg/ml, Boswellia serrata 10, 25, or 50 µg/ml, and their combinations, alongside a control group. Key cellular responses were assessed using MTT assays for cell viability, and ELISA to measure total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), pro-apoptotic BAX, anti-apoptotic BCL-2, and STAT3 protein levels. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.