A Review of Anti-inflammatory Terpenoids from the Incense Gum Resins Frankincense and Myrrh

Frankincense and myrrh have been used as incense in religious and cultural ceremonies since the beginning of written history. Their common medicinal properties are used in the treatment for inflammatory conditions, some cancerous diseases, and wound healing. In the course of our characterization of the anti-inflammatory constituents from frankincense and myrrh, several terpenoid constituents were found to inhibit nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Here we review the structure of those terpenoid constituents from the gum resins of frankincense and myrrh and evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects by their nitric oxide production inhibitory activity.