Asian Journal of Chemistry Vol. 21, No. 5 (2009), 3529-3534 Stability Study on Boswellia serrata (Hydro-alcoholic) Extract NARENDRA KUMAR SAHOO†, SIBAJI SARKAR* and BHUSHAN PATWARDHAN‡ J.J.C. Trust Sanchalit, N.R Vekaria Institute of Pharmacy and Research Center C.L. College Campus, Bilkha Road, Junagadh-362 001, India E-mail: sibajisarkar004@gmail.com Boswellia serrata Roxb. (family: Burseraceae) are reported to have antioxidant, antiarthritic, immunomodulatory and anticancer activity. The present study deals with elucidate the physical, chemical, pharmaco- logical and microbiological attributes of the Boswellia serrata extract filled in double polythene bag and in capsule with respect to real and accelerated storage conditions on 6 months storage. In this study, extract as a whole was considered as active substance and physical, chemical, pharmaceutical and microbiological characteristic were studied at predetermined intervals. Key Words: Boswellia serrata (hydro-alcoholic) extract, Stability study. INTRODUCTION The role of herbals as drugs, neutraceuticals and dietary supplements is gaining popularity. There have been several examples of poor quality of this product. The reasons for quality are many but most important one is formidable challenges faced in formulating herbal products. These challenges are due to poor physical properties namely hygroscopicity, low bulk density, variable particle size distributions and chemically complex nature of herbals. Hygroscopicity is a crucial for product physical and chemical stability while, flow ability and compression properties are important for processing. Herbals contain diverse chemical classes and there are several reports of instability of chemical groups to heat 1 , light 2 , pH 3,4 and oxygen 5 . Due to this reasons, few studies have been reported on stability testing of herbals. Stability testing of herbals is important, as instability modifies 3 important attributes of the product i.e. quality, safety and efficacy. The present study attempts to study physical, chemical, pharmaceutical and microbiological stability of Boswellia serrata extract at real time and accelerated condition. †Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Erandwane, Pune-411 038, India; E-mail: sahoo23@rediffmail.com ‡Interdisciplinary School of Health Science, University of Pune, Pune-411 038, India; E-mail: bpatwardhan@gmail.com