Pharmacognosy information - Pharmacognosy of Guggul

Pharmacognosy of Guggul

Synonym: Scented Bdellium, Gum guggul, commiphora

Biological source: Guggul is the oleo-gum-resin obtained by making deep incisions at the basal part of stem bark of Commiphora weightii

Family: Burseraceae,

Geographical source: In India, guggul plant is mainly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat States. Ajmer and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan are the prominent habitats.

Macroscopic characters:

Colour: Brown to pale yellow or dull green.

Taste: Characteristic bitter.

Odour: Agreeable, aromatic and balsamic.

Size: 0.5 to 1.00 to 2.5 cm in diameter.

Shape: Rounded or irregular masses or agglomerated tears. Tears are

- - - Transparent, with waxy surface and brittle in nature.
    - Guggul is gummy to touch and tears are normally with fractured surface.

Chemical constituents:

The gum-resin portion of guggul contains
- - - - Steroids, diterpenoids, carbohydrates and aliphatic esters.
      - They are present in a complex mixture form, but the resin does not contain cinnamic acid, benzoic acid or their esters which are normally found in many oleo-gum-resin of pharmaceutical significance.
The purified gum gives pentosan, pentose and furfural.

Guggulosterone z

Guggulosterol I

Steam distillation of guggul gives pale yellow volatile oil, containing the terpenes like myrcene and caryophylline.
Guggul contains
- - - - z - guggulosterone,
      - E - guggulosterone
      - Three new sterols viz. guggulosterol l, II and III.

Uses:

It is used as
- - - Anti-inflammatory,
    - Anti-rheumatic
    - Hypolipidemic and hypo-cholesteremic drug.
    - Guggulip developed from Commiphora mukul is an antihyperlipidaemic product.

Chemical Test:

Ethyl acetate extract of guggul + acetic anhydride boil, cool + 2 ml ofsulphuric acid -------------> green colour develops at the junction due to sterols.

References:

1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.

2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.

3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.

4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.

5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.

6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.

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