Phytochemical study of Commiphora myrrha (NEES) ENGL. reveals various sesquiterpene scaffolds

Myrrh is the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora myrrha (NEES) ENGL. (Burseraceae) and has traditionally been used for the treatment of different, among other inflammatory diseases [1], [2]. Searching for its activity determining ingredients, 20 sesquiterpenes of nine different structural types and one sesquiterpene dimer were isolated from an ethanolic extract by chromatographic steps and identified by NMR and CD spectroscopy and HRESIMS. Thereof, nine molecules were found for the first time as natural products (4, 8, 9, 14 – 18, 21), nine compounds the first time for the species Commiphora and three substances (1, 2, 19) are known as myrrh ingredients ([Fig. 1]). Sesquiterpenes of the eremophilane- and nor-eudesmane-type have not been published for myrrh so far. Selected compounds (1, 6, 7, 16, 18 and 19) were tested on their biological activity in an ICAM-1 in vitro model in which no considerable effect was detected. The anti-inflammatory properties of myrrh [3], [4] are therefore either based on its other ingredients or mediated via another pathway; the efficacy of a herbal preparation containing myrrh in the treatment of ulcerative colitis [5] could besides be promoted by synergistic and additive effects.

Fig. 1 Compilation of the 21 sesquiterpene derivates isolated from myrrh sorted by their structural skeleton types.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2022

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