Mastic Gum for Anti-Inflammatory

Research suggests that Chios mastic gum possesses meaningful anti-inflammatory properties, with studies pointing to several proposed mechanisms including inhibition of protein kinase C, suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and reduction of adhesion molecule expression in vascular cells. The available evidence spans in vitro cell studies, animal models, and a smaller number of human trials, and is largely captured in reviews rather than large randomized controlled trials, with most reviews directionally supportive of anti-inflammatory effects across contexts including cardiovascular health, inflammatory bowel disease, and oral health. Studies indicate that the bioactive components most associated with these effects include specific triterpenic acids and the phytosterol tirucallol, though the chemical complexity of mastic gum has made it difficult to isolate which constituents are responsible for which effects. Limitations noted across the literature include the predominance of preclinical evidence, small study sizes, inconsistent formulations, and some mixed findings regarding whether anti-inflammatory effects operate independently of other mechanisms such as blood pressure reduction, meaning larger and more rigorous clinical trials are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.