Myrrh: a resin of ancient tradition at the service of science

Abstract

The resinous exudates of the Commiphora myrrha, known as ‘myrrh’, are used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of trauma, arthritis, fractures and other diseases. The isolated metabolites and crude extract have exhibited a wide of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, including antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Myrrh has also been used in the Ayurvedic medical system because of its therapeutic effects against inflammatory diseases, coronary artery diseases, gynecological disease, obesity, etc. Expansion of research materials would provide more opportunities for the discovery of new bioactive principles from the genus Commiphora.