Boswellic acid inhibits cell migration and VEGF expression in mixed hemorrhoids in-vitro.

Mixed hemorrhoids involve vascular hyperplasia, inflammation and angiogenesis, with VEGF playing a vital role. Current treatments mainly relieve symptoms, underscoring the need for therapies that target underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the potential of boswellic acid (BA) in treating mixed hemorrhoids. Human foreskin fibroblast (BJ) cells were treated with varying BA concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100 μM) for 24 and 48 h. BA did not significantly affect cell viability but markedly reduced VEGF mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) also decreased, and cell migration was significantly inhibited. These results suggest that BA suppresses VEGF expression, attenuates inflammation, and limits fibroblast migration in vitro, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for mixed hemorrhoids.