Phytochemical & therapeutic potentials of Murr makki (Commiphora myrrha): A review

Abstract

Commiphora myrrha is an important medicinal plant used in traditional system of medicine since Bible times, first
described in Chinese medical literature in 600 AD. It belongs to the family Burseraceae. Murr is an oleo gum resin
obtained from bark of this plant. Unani physicians mentioned its use in gynecological diseases like amenorrhea, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, pelvic
inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis; as an abortificient and galactogogue; in treatment of wounds and ulcers, and also in various
gastrointestinal, urinary tract and respiratory disorders due to its properties like detergent, desiccant, carminative, anti inflammatory, astringent,
analgesic, anti septic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, etc . Pharmacological studies proved that it has antitumor, immunomodulatory,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cytotoxic, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and anti-ulcer activities due to the presence of
volatile oil, tannins, phenols, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, resins etc.. The present review focuses on traditional uses of Murr as mentioned
in Unani literature in scientific manner

Full text

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIALS OF MURR MAKKI
(COMMIPHORA MYRRHA): A REVIEW
Tooba Fahad*
P.G. Scholar, Dept of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraze Niswan, National Institute of Unani
Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Road, Bengaluru. Karnataka. India.560091
*Corresponding Author
Original Research Paper
Unani Medicine
INTRODUCTION:
Commiphora myrrha is a big tree, derived from genus Commiphora, is
the most species-rich genus of flowering plants in the family
Burseraceae. The word myrrha is derived from arabic word murr
means bitter and it has been used throughout the history in incense and
perfume. Greek soldiers would not go to the battle without a poultice of
1
murr to put on their wounds. Also known as Balsamodendron
2,3,4 3,5,6
myrrha, Commiphora molmol In Unani system of medicine , it is
termed as 'Murr' is an oleo gum resin obtained from bark of tree
7
Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh), first described in Chinese medical
literature in 600 AD.
Murr: Plant, leaves & oleo gum
Ethanobotanical descriptions: Small tree or a large shrub,3,5,7 not
reaching more than 9 feet in height, but with a trunk of considerable
thickness, numerous irregular, knotted branches, smaller branchlets
clustered, stout, spreading nearly at right angles, and terminating in a
sharp spine; bark smooth, thin, flaking off in small portions, pale
orange brown, becoming ash grey when detached. Leaves about ½
inch long, trifoliate, leaflets sessile, unequal, but the terminal ones
3
more or less toothed. Flowers not seen, the phloem (inner most layer
of bark) contains schizogenous ducts and lysigenous cavities which
8
are filled with yellowish granular resinous liquid.
Habitat: 3,7,9,10
The genus Commiphora is mainly found in Arabia,
3,7 7 11
Somaliland, Ethiopia, Abyssina, Persia, Siam, to some extent in
Northern Kenya.7The bushes grow on very hot and sunny places, at an
12 9
elevation of 1500-3000 feet. The specimens were collected in March.
The oleogum resin is obtained by making incision in the bark, or it
appears spontaneously from the cracks or fissures formed in the bark.
1,8,13,14,15,16
At first it is liquid exudes and hardens to a reddish brown mass.
Myrrh occurs in irregular masses, external surface is rough and
reddish brown, covered with yellowish dust. Pieces are brittle,
fractured surface is waxy, granular and oily with whitish marks. It is
16-19 2
bitter and pleasant in taste with aromatic odour.
Temperament:
014 016,20 0 14,16,20
Hot 3 / 2 Dry 2
Therapeutic dosage: 16 18,21 15 22
1- 2 g, 1-2 g, Upto 1 g, 5-15g
Chemical constituents:
The main active constituents include volatile oil (cuminic aldehyde,
eugenol, metacresol, pinene, limonene, diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes).
1,4,7,18,23,24; resin up to 40% (ether soluble portion: α, β and γ commiphoric
1,4,7,18,25
acids and esters of another resin acid and two phenolic resins). gums
1,4,7,12,26
up to 60%(associated with enzyme oxidase, polysaccharides). , and
7,23,24 19,27
bitter principle. Other constituents include Flavonoids Alkaloids
19, 26, 27 19 7, 19 7,1 9,2 7
Tannin s Glyc osi des Ster oid s Sa pon ins Terpeno ids
2,7,19,23, 26
(sesquiterpenes, furanosesquiterpenoids) (Su et al., 2009).
Carbohydrates7 Organic compounds (limonene, curzerene, germacrine B,
isocericeni ne, myrceno l, beta s elinene, sp athulenol), Minera ls
(Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Manganese, Zinc, Calcium and
Phosphorus, Aluminum, Scandium, Chlorine, Arsenic, mercury , lead
28
etc).
Ac ti o ns : 1,5,27,19,23,26,29 7,26,28
an tif ung al , ant ib act eri al cy tot oxi c,
3,12,26,30 3,4
bacteriostatic, antiviral, expectorant, stimulant, leucocytogenic,
30 12
aphrodisi ac, diuretic, deodorant, ophthalmic, ant ispasmodic,
24 14,15,16,18,31 3,12,15,16,18,26,30,32
antidermatophyte desiccant, carminative, anti
3,12 ,13 ,14 ,16 ,17 ,26 ,30 3, 12, 14, 26, 30 1, 14
infla mma tor y, astringent analgesic, anti
1 , 1 3 , 1 4 , 1 5 , 1 6 , 1 8 , 2 6 , 3 0 , 3 1 1 4 , 1 5 , 1 8 , 3 1 1 4
s e p ti c, d i ur et i c, a n ti tu s si ve ,
3,12,13 ,14,15 ,16,18, 30,28, 31 14,3 3,14,19
emmenagogue expectorant, 1blood purifier,
3,16,18,31 16 31 19
anthelminthic deobstruent, brain tonic , abortive
USES:
Urogenital disorders:
ŸAmenorrhea: Murr is used with elwa and iron component to
14,17,18,24,31,33,34
induce menstruation, if cause is qillate dam.
14,33
Ÿ 1.75 g of murr with baiza neem barisht or Menorrhagia:
31
roghane kunjad is beneficial to arrest excessive menstrual blood
loss.
ŸOleo-gum resin act as emmenagogue and antispasmodic, hence
3,7,8,13,25,30,33
used for irregular & painful menstruation.
12,13,14,18,33
Ÿ Murr is beneficial in PID, leucorrhoea Uterine infections:
12,14and cervical stenosis.
ŸAbortificient: Murr causes expulsion of janin wa masheema as it
is bitter in taste.
ŸLocal application of murr is beneficial to remove bad smell of farj
17,18,24 17
(humool form), as well as rahim (douche with na'na) .
19
ŸUseful in treatment of UTI
Gastrointestinal disorders:
ŸMyrrh mixed with equal parts of honey and rectified spirit and
dissolved in rose water or infusion of rose petals (50 parts) is
11,13,26
effective in stomatitis.
ŸMurr is useful in diseases of spleen, kidney, urinary bladder
,11 ,17,24
(urinary retention renal pain cystitis) & intestine (seheje
,24 .17,24
ama'a muzmin diarrhea )
12 1,3,12,13,25
ŸGI diseases like dyspepsia, decreased appetite gall bladder
7,17,23,28
diseases.
Volume-8 | Issue-9 | September-2018 | 86 18ISSN - 2249-555X | IF : 5.397 | IC Value : .
KEYWORDS : Commiphora myrrha, Murr, Unani text
Commiphora myrrha is an important medicinal plant used in traditional system of medicine since Bible times, first
described in Chinese medical literature in 600 AD. It belongs to the family Burseraceae. Murr is an oleo gum resin
obtained from bark of this plant. Unani physicians mentioned its use in gynecological diseases like amenorrhea, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, pelvic
inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis; as an abortificient and galactogogue; in treatment of wounds and ulcers, and also in various
gastrointestinal, urinary tract and respiratory disorders due to its properties like detergent, desiccant, carminative, anti inflammatory, astringent,
analgesic, anti septic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, etc . Pharmacological studies proved that it has antitumor, immunomodulatory,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cytotoxic, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and anti-ulcer activities due to the presence of
volatile oil, tannins, phenols, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, resins etc.. The present review focuses on traditional uses of Murr as mentioned
in Unani literature in scientific manner.
ABSTRACT
Ismath Shameem
Lecturer, Dept of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraze Niswan, National Institute of Unani
Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Road, Bengaluru. Karnataka. India.560091
102
INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH

ŸMurr with su haga or gulqand is used in indigestion an d
co ns tip ati on due t o it s ja li , des ic c an t, a nd a nti s ep tic
16,17,19,32
properties; even it kills intestinal worms when used with
16,17,19,20, 21,24 24
arand. Murr is used with arqe charaita in yarqan zard.
Respiratory disorders:
7,7,23,28
ŸIt is used in chest ailments as an expectorant in respiratory
13
tract infections especially asthma chronic cough, and also in
diphtheria ,tonsillitis, pharyngitis, common cold, bronchitis.
1,4,7,12,13,17,18,19,20,24,26, 32,38
Ear diseases:
ŸMurr is beneficial in ear abscess or ottorhoea, when used with
jundbedastar or maameesa and afyun in the form of ear drops
17,24,32
(Jalinoos).
Eye diseases:
ŸMurr is beneficial in eye diseases; like in ulcers of eye with other
drugs in kahl form due to its desiccant and jali properties; in
cataract, when eyes are washed after dissolving murr in milk and
in infraorbital hemorrhage, mixture of murr with aabe mooli is
17,18,20, 24
applied over the eyes.
Skin diseases:
Ÿ Murr is one of the best drug to eliminate Wounds and ulcers:
1,4,5,24,26,28,30,32, ,
infection, hence beneficial in all types of ulcers when
17
used in the form of paste with kundur, or aabe dhaniya taaza or
24
karafs taaza; even murr with sirka in ringworm and roghane gul
8 17,24
in scabies. Paste is useful in non healing ulcers, malignant
32 17,24
ulcer, hence, it is used in the preparation of qabid marahim.
4,7,12,24,33
effective in skin infections (acne, boils, pressure sores),
28 1,5,7,10,24,28,30,33 5,10,26
burns, painful swellings, and athletes foot. Because
of astringent and disinfectant action, especially its alcoholic
tincture is used in skin applications even in snake and scorpion
7,23,28,33
bites.
ŸMurr is useful in ulcers of head & remove dandruff, when applied
over the scalp after dissolving in makhkhan and mixed with
3,8,21,24, 31,32
zeera.
Ÿ Murr strengthen the hair & prevents hair fall, if applied Hair fall:
14,16,24,30,32,33
with roghane aas, lazan and sharab.
ŸLocal application of murr is useful, with lehej, pyaz dashti (onion
squill) & shehed in warts, with sharab and phitkiri remove bad
smell of axilla and inguinal region. Paste of murr with tezab shura
17,24,32
in lymphadenopathy & scrofula.
ŸMurr is beneficial in epidemic diseases, if used with other drugs in
16,18,19
the form of pills due to its antiseptic property.
Musculoskeletal system:
ŸMurr possess anti inflammatory, deobstruent and musakhkhin
16
properties, hence, useful as zimad in awrame balghami like
.16,17,21,24
arthritis, gout and sciatica
7,23,28 23
ŸUseful in backache, muscular pains and spasms.
OTHERS:
Ÿ Murr increases milk secretion if used with Galactogogue:
17,24
jaggery.
ŸDecoction of murr strengthens the teeth & remove bad odour of
16,19,24,31-33
mouth.
ŸMyrrh mixed with equal parts of honey and rectified spirit and
dissolved in rose water or infusion of rose petals (50 parts) is good
11,13,26
for mouth wash Murr mixed with arqe gulab is used in
16,19,24,31,32,33
aphthous ulcers.
16,17,24,31,33
ŸGargle of murr is useful in istirkhae halaq; when gargle of
murr is combined with sirkae unsul or soya or joshanda beekhe
24
hilyun (Asparagus officinalis) or zanjar prevents falling of teeth.
ŸMyrrh has stimulant and antiseptic properties and hence used in
the preparation of toothpaste and tinctures for the treatment of
3,18
gingivitis
ŸMurr, seeds of ilaichi, banslochan are mixed and grinded and used
17,24
orally with honey in general weakness.
2,4 7,28
ŸIt is helpful in hypertension, hyperlipidemia or obesity, fever,
headaches
5,6,8,30,31
ŸUsed in preparation of perfumes, incense, mouth washes etc.
Uses of leaves:
ŸLeaves of murr strengthen the stomach, act as carminative,
32
remove fuzlaat & toxins of snake and scorpion bite; stops
menstrual bleeding if used in humool form, its extract (in the form
of sao'ot) is useful in epistaxis.
ŸLeaves are used in marz kamzorie khoon with iron, in gargle form
in qula, quruhe zuban, iltihabi liththa, istirkhae halaq (with gulab
17
and tincture cincona).
Pharmacological studies:
Ÿ C. myrrha was reported to have cytotoxicity Cytotoxic activity:
activity on human gynecologic cancer cell on clinical trial due to
the presence of two compounds of diterpene resin acid, which
7
significantly inhibit proliferation of human ovarian cancer.
Ÿ Khatoon et al. reported that Murr is Emmenagogue activity:
effective in PCOD related secondary amenorrhea when used in
combination with Muqil and Abhal. This combination induced
withdrawal bleeding along with menstrual regulation due to the
presence of steroids and flavonoids. Moreover, Murr contains
phy to st erols, saponins, terpen oi ds , lig nans an d p he no li c
compounds; and glycosides and alkaloids in Abhal which exerts
hormone like action in the body and thus withdrawal bleeding and
35
menstrual regulation.
Ÿ Ethanol extract of C. molmol exhibit Antioxidant activity:
antioxidant activity on in vitro study due to the presence of
23
phenolic and flavonoid contents.
Ÿ The methanolic extract of C. myrrha Anti-microbial activity:
demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, B.
19
cereus, E. coli, & K. pnuemoniae due to the presence of broad
spectrum antimicrobial compounds that act against gram negative
23
bacteria. Even its petroleum ether extract showed antibacterial
effect against S. aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and
26
antifungal to Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
Ÿ The ethanolic extract and essential oil of C. Anti-fungal activity:
myrrh reported to have antifungal effect against T. rubrum, T.
mentagrophytes, M. canis, M. gypseum, and T.verrucosum on in
vitro study due to the presence of furanoeudesma 1,3diene and
menthofuran in myrrh oil while 2-tert-butyl-1,4-napthoquinone,
benzene methanol, 3-methoxy-α-phenyl, and curzerene in myrrh
24
ethanol extract. Petroleum ether and methanol extracts of oleo-
gum resins of C. myrrha revealed antifungal activity against of
Aspergillus species: A. flavus, A.fumigatus, A.terreus and A.niger
29
on in vitro study.
Ÿ C. myrrha extract exhibit anti-Anti inflammatory activity:
inflammatory effect as evident by decrease in volume of paw
edema induced by formalin in rats probably due to an inhibition of
1,10
release of inflammatory mediator PGs.
ŸAnalgesic activity: C. molmol extract exhibit analgesic activity in
rats due to the presence of bioactive compounds that raised pain
threshold by depressing pain receptors centrally in the brain and
also by inhibiting the release of prostaglandins (Pgs). Thus C.
molmol extract appeared to produce analgesic effect through both
central and peripheral mechanisms.
Ÿ C. myrrha significantly decreased Anti hyperlipidemic activity:
the body weight gain, normalized the high levels of blood lipids
and decreased atherogenic index, low-density lipoprotein/high-
density lipoprotein in obese hyperlipidemic rats due to the
10
presence of guggulsterones, plant sterol etc.
Ÿ Extract of myrrh exhibit significant Anti dysmenorrheic activity:
anti dysmenorrheic activity (Wang et al.2009) and inhibits uterine
7
contraction and aromatase activity. (Su et al.2008.)
Ÿ Com mipho ra myrrha trea tment H epa to pro tecti ve effec t:
improved liver histology towards more normalization in rats as
evident by a reduction in liver enzymes in a dose-dependent
manner. It increases hepatic antioxidant activity and decreases the
oxidative stress by down-regulation of important key players such
as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, iNOS-2, and HO-1, which might be
sufficient to combat cellular damage. Histological recovery
towards normalization also suggests that C. myrrha extract may
protect parenchymal cells and improve liver tissue regeneration.
The hepatoprotective effect is due to the presence of flavonoids,
36
terpenoids and alkaloids
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
Murr appears to be one of the oldest medicines. The use was recorded
since ancient Rome and in the texts of Hippocrates. Murr and its
tincture have a very long history of medicinal uses. Unani physicians
have mentioned its uses in various systemic disorders. However,
scientific studies have proven its efficacy in some properties of drug.
Hence, further clinical trials are needed to prove other properties of
drug as mentioned by Unani physicians.
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