Boswellia serrata for pain sensitivity and pain modulation in healthy adults
Effect of Boswellia Serrata on Pain Intensity, Central and Peripheral Sensitization, and Pain Modulation in Healthy Volunteers - a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Cross-over Pilot Trial
Researchers will test whether Boswellia serrata extract can reduce pain sensitivity and change how the body modulates pain in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of Graz Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Graz, Styria) |
| Trial ID | NCT07109843 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study in healthy volunteers comparing Boswellia serrata extract with placebo. Participants will undergo quantitative sensory testing (QST) to measure peripheral and central sensitization and descending pain inhibitory pathways before and after each treatment period. The study uses well-defined exclusion criteria to avoid confounding by chronic pain, medications, or major medical conditions. Results aim to clarify whether observed clinical analgesic effects of Boswellia are linked to changes in pain processing mechanisms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 18 or older without chronic pain, major medical conditions, or use of excluded medications, and who are not pregnant or breastfeeding are eligible to participate.
Not a fit: People with chronic pain, renal or liver insufficiency, neurological/dermatological/cardiovascular diseases, or those taking anticoagulants, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, CYP-modulating drugs, or St. John's Wort are excluded and would not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to a new, well-tolerated supplement approach that helps reduce pain sensitivity and guide treatments for chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Several clinical studies have suggested Boswellia serrata can relieve chronic pain, but effects on central and peripheral sensitization or pain modulation in human experimental models have not been previously established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: ≥18 years Exclusion Criteria: * Not pregnant or breastfeeding * No renal or liver insufficiency * No neurological/dermatological/cardiovascular diseases * No chronic pain and/or use of analgesics * No use of anticoagulants * No use of antidepressants * No use of MAO inhibitors * No use of St. John's Wort * No use of medications affecting the CYP mechanism * No allergies to Boswellia serrata or capsaicin"
Where this trial is running
Graz, Styria
- Medical University of Graz — Graz, Styria, Austria (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Helmar Bornemann-Cimenti, PD Dr. MD MSc MBA
- Email: helmar.bornemann@medunigraz.at
- Phone: +43 316 385 81103
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.