Any views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of CIFOR, the authors' institutions or the financial sponsors of this publication. Contents Abbreviations vi Acknowledgements vii Foreword viii 1 Challenges and forest-based opportunities in the drylands of Ethiopia 1 1.1 Drylands of Ethiopia 1 1.2 Challenges facing the drylands of Ethi...

This study was designed to investigate the collagen metabolism and tyrosinase activity of Olibanum extracts (OE). The traditional effects are known to move blood, calm pain, solve oedema, and promote tissue regeneration. The effect of OE on type I procollagen production and collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1, henceforth referred as MMP-1) activity in human normal fibroblasts Hs68 after ult...

Despite growing scientific evidence that essential oils possess important therapeutic benefits, research on their biological activities in complex human disease models is scarce. To enhance understanding in this regard, we analyzed the biological activities of an essential oil blend (EOB) in validated human cocultures with or without tumor cells. These disease models allow for measurement of ch...

Acetyl-boswellic acids (acetyl-BA) are pentacyclic triterpenes derived from the gum resin of frankincense. We have previously shown that these compounds are effective cytotoxic agents, acting through a mechanism that appears to involve the inhibition of topoisomerase activity. We have now investigated the mechanism of action of acetyl-BA and show that these compounds are more potent inhibitors ...

Boswellic acids have long been considered the main bioactive components of frankincense, and many studies in vitro and in animals as well as several clinical studies have confirmed their various bioactivities. In particular, a large number of mechanistic studies have confirmed their anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. However, not every boswellic acid exhibits a satisfactory pharmacolog...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. METHODS This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 58 hospice patients with terminal cancer who were hospitalized. Twenty eight hospice patients with terminal cancer were assigned to the ...

Research on the biological effects of essential oils on human skin cells is scarce. In the current study, we primarily explored the biological activities of 10 essential oils (nine single and one blend) in a pre-inflamed human dermal fibroblast system that simulated chronic inflammation. We measured levels of proteins critical for inflammation, immune responses, and tissue-remodeling processes....