Tetra- and Pentacyclic Triterpene Acids from the Ancient Anti-inflammatory Remedy Frankincense as Inhibitors of Microsomal Prostaglandin E₂ Synthase‑1

Abstract

The microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase (mPGES)-1 is the terminal enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandin (PG)­E₂ from cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived PGH₂. We previously found that mPGES-1 is inhibited by boswellic acids (IC₅₀ = 3–30 μM), which are bioactive triterpene acids present in the anti-inflammatory remedy frankincense. Here we show that besides boswellic acids, additional known triterpene acids (i.e., tircuallic, lupeolic, and roburic acids) isolated from frankincense suppress mPGES-1 with increased potencies. In particular, 3α-acetoxy-8,24-dienetirucallic acid (<b>6</b>) and 3α-acetoxy-7,24-dienetirucallic acid (<b>10</b>) inhibited mPGES-1 activity in a cell-free assay with IC₅₀ = 0.4 μM, each. Structure–activity relationship studies and docking simulations revealed concrete structure-related interactions with mPGES-1 and its cosubstrate glutathione. COX-1 and -2 were hardly affected by the triterpene acids (IC₅₀ > 10 μM). Given the crucial role of mPGES-1 in inflammation and the abundance of highly active triterpene acids in frankincence extracts, our findings provide further evidence of the anti-inflammatory potential of frankincense preparations and reveal novel, potent bioactivities of tirucallic acids, roburic acids, and lupeolic acids