A Comparative Pharmacological Review of Phaleria macrocarpa and Boswellia serrata as Potential Therapeutics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Ethnobotany to Molecular Mechanisms

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory disorder with rising global prevalence and limited curative therapies. Plant derived agents with anti inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties are increasingly explored as complementary approaches. Phaleria macrocarpa and Boswellia serrata are two traditional medicinal plants with reported benefits in gastrointestinal and inflammatory conditions.
Objective: This review brings together available information on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and molecular mechanistic of on P. macrocarpa and B. serrata to evaluate their potential role in IBD management.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and phytochemical databases up to 2025. Studies reporting phytochemistry, in vitro and in vivo anti inflammatory activity, molecular mechanisms, clinical evidence, and safety are added.
Results: P. macrocarpa contains flavonoids, phenolics, and benzophenones that modulate NF κB, MAPK, COX 2, and iNOS pathways, demonstrating antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects in macrophage assays and DSS induced colitis models. B. serrata resin is rich in boswellic acids, particularly AKBA and KBA, which inhibit 5 lipoxygenase, suppress NF κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and modulate cytokines. Preclinical studies consistently show reduced mucosal inflammation, oxidative stress, and improved barrier integrity. Clinical trials support the efficacy of B. serrata extracts in ulcerative colitis, whereas P. macrocarpa remains largely preclinical. Both plants exhibit favourable safety profiles, though standardisation challenges persist.
Conclusion: P. macrocarpa and B. serrata demonstrate multi targeted pharmacological actions relevant to IBD. B. serrata shows stronger translational evidence, while P. macrocarpa offers promising phytochemical leads requiring further clinical validation.