Chemical Constituents & Mechanism of action of constituents

Myrrh
An assignment is submitted for fulfilment of mid 2 exam of
Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry- II
PHS CC 5104
Session 2021-22

Supervisors: Submitted by –
Prof. Umesh K. Patil Mr. Suyash Jain
Mr. Rakesh Kashyap ROLL NO. – Y19150062

Department Of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.)
( A Central University )
Myrrh is a sap-like raisen which is obtained by making
incisions in the bark of trees that belong to thw member of
the Commiphora species.
Chemical Constituents of MYRRH

▪Yellowish thick Volatile oil(3-8%)

• Monoterpenes
• Sesquiterpines
• Small aromatic compounds

▪Alcohol soluble Reisin(25-40%)

▪Diterpenoids
▪Triterpenoids
▪Steroids
▪lignans
Chemical Constituents of MYRRH

▪Water soluble Gum(30-60%)

▪Sugar
▪Protein
▪Ash

Contain many impurities too (make upto 5%)

 Mechanism of Action of Chemical
constituents of MYHHR

Essential oil shows Antibacterial/Antiparasitic/Antifungal action. The precise

antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal mechanisms of myrrh are unknown

Monoterpenes :-
•The mechanism of action of monoterpenes has not been completely clarified.

•Some studies showed the breakdown of cytoplasmic and organelle membranes

exposed to certain volatile oils. The loss of membrane integrity can cause changes in
membrane function leading to the antifungal activity.
•Despite these findings, it is not known how volatile oils damage the membranes.
•The discovery of the mechanism of action can help maximize the effect of natural
products, either by concentration of active ingredients or formulation optimization.
 Mechanism of Action of Chemical
constituents of MYHHR

Sesquiterpenes reduce harm by microbial attack by disruption of a microbe's cell

membrane, an effect attributable to the polar groups on these anti-microbial
compounds disrupting the phospholipid membrane
Also give Anti-Inflammatory action.

Triterpenoids- activate or deactivate nuclear receptor and GPCR also give Anti-
Cancer action
 Mechanism of Action of Chemical
constituents of MYHHR
Anticancer:
Myrrh displays an pro-apoptotic effect on cancer cells. This seems to involve
members of the Bcl family of proteins.
Myrrh induces the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax while
decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl.

At low doses:-
Myrrh activate the MAPK pathway in cancer cells,
promoting the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK.
The JNK activation in particular appears to mediate an apoptotic influence.
Additionally, myrrh appears to induce reactive oxygen species generation in
cancer cells further promoting apoptosis.
 Mechanism of Action of Chemical
constituents of MYHHR
Liganans- bind to estrogen receptor in brest tissue crutial role in synthesis of
mammalian lignins via, the phenyl propanoid pathway is plaged by pinoresinol
lariciresinol.
It act as Anti-oxidant also, but the precise mechanism is unknown.

Analgesic: Myrrh appears to produce an analgesic effect associated with its

suppression of prostaglandin production. Myrrh is also suggested to block inward sodium
currents.

Hepatoprotective: Myrrh has been shown to reduce liver injury and upregulation
of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in response to carbon
tetrachloride insult. This is thought to be due to anti-oxidant properties of myrrh.
 Mechanism of Action of Chemical
constituents of MYHHR
Anti-inflammatory: Myrrh inhibited LPS-induced productions of inflammatory
mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-α but
not of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in peritoneal macrophages

Antibacterial/Antiparasitic/Antifungal: The precise antibacterial, antiparasitic, and

antifungal mechanisms of myrrh are unknown.

Cardioprotective: The exact mechanism of myrrh's cardioprotective effect is unknown.

Antidiabetic: Much of myrrh's antidiabetic action is attrbutable to it's anti-inflammatory

action which protects islet beta cells from inflammatory damage during hyperglycemia.
The antioxidant properties of myrrh also likely contribute to this effect.

Antiulcer: The antiulcer activity of myrrh is suggested to be due to inhibition of gastric

acid secretion, increasing gastric mucus secretion, and myrrh's antioxidant properties.
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’Seeing the Unseen of the Combination of Two Natural Resins, Frankincense and
Myrrh: Changes in Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities’, Published:
24 August 2019, Molecules 2019, 24, 3076; doi:10.3390/molecules24173076.

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