Introduction: Inflammation is a key mediator in plenty of important physiological abnormalities associated with diseases like cancer, myocardial infarction and arthritis. Natural anti-inflammatory agents are of great demand owing to its decreased side effects and increased curative properties.

Aim: To investigate in vitro inhibitory effect of three different concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract of Boswellia serrata (BS) and Terminalia belerica (TB) on COX-2 and LOX-2 enzymes.

Materials and Methods: Three different concentrations of hydro-alcoholic menstruum of BS and TB were prepared using the standard procedures. The in vitro inhibitory activities of COX-2 and LOX-2 were performed using previously mentioned methods with minor modifications.

Results: Among the different concentrations used the 90:10 menstruum of BS at 12 mg/ml displayed maximum inhibitory potential against COX-2 enzyme when compared to the same concentration of TB extract. It is suggestive that the majority of bioactive compounds present in BS were alcohol soluble and hence elicited maximum inhibition potential at 90% ethanol ratio. A similar pattern of results were observed against LOX-2 enzyme as well.

Conclusion: From the results it is concluded that the 90:10 hydroalcoholic extract of Boswellia serrata and Terminalia belerica exhibit appreciable percentage of COX-2 and LOX-2 inhibition, which could be attributed to the ethanol soluble bioactive components present in the extract.

Keywords: Boswellia serrata, Terminalia belerica, Hydroalcoholic extract, Anti-inflammatory activity, COX-2 inhibition, LOX-2 inhibition, Bioactive compounds.