With the advent of highly effective plant-based medications with few or no side effects, the use of phytomedicines against complex diseases such as
cancer is becoming more widespread. The broadly recognized
pentacyclic triterpenes known as boswellic
acids (BAs) are derived from the oleogum resin, or
frankincense, extracted from the plant species of the genus Boswellia. The
frankincense mixture contains various BA types, each having a different potential and helping treat certain
cancers. This review focuses on details regarding the traits of the BAs, their roles as anti-
cancer agents, the mechanism underlying their activities, and the function of their semi-synthetic derivatives in managing and treating certain
cancers. The review also explores the
biological sources of BAs, how they are conserved, and how biotechnology might help preserve and improve in vitro BA production. The review concludes that the BAs and their semi-synthetic derivatives are effective against a broad spectrum of
cancer cell lines. The detailed information in the review can be helpful for researchers to gain more information about BAs and BA-based medications for efficient and cost-effective
cancer treatments.