African myrrh

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African myrrh
• Somali myrrh
• herabol myrrh
• myrrh
• Common Myrrh

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Commiphora coriacea
• Balsamodendrum simplicifolium
• Balsamea myrrha
• Balsamea myrrha
• Commiphora myrrha var. molmol
• Balsamea playfairii
• Commiphora molmol
• Balsamodendrum myrrha
• Commiphora rivae
• Commiphora cuspidata
• Commiphora playfairii var. benadirensis
• Commiphora habessinica var. grossedentata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Burseraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Commiphora, which includes the species Commiphora myrrha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across the arid regions of the African continent. Within Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Djibouti and Eritrea. It is also widely distributed throughout Ethiopia and Somalia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into East Tropical Africa. Ultimately, Kenya serves as another key location for its geographical presence.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Commiphora myrrhra is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Its growth pattern is defined by a deciduous habit, meaning it undergoes seasonal leaf shedding, a physiological adaptation that helps the plant manage moisture and survive in arid or semi-arid climates.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Commiphora myrrha is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior. The species reaches an average plant height of approximately 5 m, developing a robust, woody structure adapted to its environment.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Commiphora myrrhra is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid and semi-arid environments, where it employs xerophytic mechanisms to maintain metabolic functions under extreme heat and limited water availability. One of its primary physiological strategies involves the management of secondary metabolites, specifically the synthesis and exudation of oleo-gum-resins through specialized secretory structures in the bark, which serve as a defense mechanism against herbivory and environmental stress. The plant utilizes a robust carbon fixation process, typically following the C3 pathway, though it exhibits significant stomatal control to minimize transpirational water loss during peak daylight hours. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the species does not possess the symbiotic capabilities required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, as indicated by its lack of root nodules or associated nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Instead, it relies on the uptake of mineral nitrogen from the soil, necessitating a highly efficient root system capable of scavenging sparse nutrients in nutrient-poor, calcareous, or sandy substrates.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Commiphora myrrha has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, stem.

Fruit

1. Drug target insights

Stem

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Chemicals

Commiphora myrrha has 56 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Curzerene, LIMONENE, cuminaldehyde, 2-tert-butyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, 3-epi-alpha-Amyrin.

Curzerene

1. Dr. Duke
2. EXCLI journal
3. Pharmaceutical biology

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. EXCLI journal

cuminaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)

2-tert-butyl-1,4-naphthoquinone

1. Pharmaceutical biology

3-epi-alpha-Amyrin

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CADINENE

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CD

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Activities

Commiphora myrrha has 205 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Antispasmodic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
3. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society
4. Helminthologia

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemotherapy
3. Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology
4. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Agents and actions

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology

Hypolipidemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Irritant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)

Spasmolytic

1. Planta medica
2. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Commiphora myrrha has 23 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, COVID-19, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations