COMMIPHORA WIGHTII (Guggul)
COMMIPHORA WIGHTII(Guggul). To answer exactly what is Guggul we will briefly describe it. Guggul is a flowering plant that grows almost in any dry climate without much help. In spite this plant can be found in many countries and regions it´s more commonly found in Northern India [1]. Guggul has a bitter, astringent taste, similar to the taste of herbs rich in tannins.
The main traditional medicinal use of this plant only utilizes one part of Guggul, Guggul resin, from most of its properties are derived.
COMMIPHORA WIGHTII
Family: Burseaceae
Genus: Commiphora
Common name: Guggal, Guggul, Mukul myrrh tree, Indian Bedellum, Commiphora mukul, Devadhupa, Balsamodendrum wightii, Commiphora mukul, Guggal[6], Guggulu Suddha, Indian Bedellium, Koushika, Mukul Myrrh Tree, Balsamodendrum mukul, Palankasha.
GUGGUL ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS
Volatile oils, pinene, eugenol, furanosesquiterpenes, triterpenes, myrrhic acid.
GUGGUL TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USES
Several uses and benefits have been claimed for Guggul, some of them are its properties to help reduce weight, for the treatment of arthritis and chronic inflammatory conditions [4], for rheumatism cases, hemorrhoids, whooping cough [1] and even to lower bad cholesterol levels[3]…etc.
As a powerful antioxidant Guggul has also a scavenging free radicals action, contributing to its claimed anti-aging properties.
GUGGUL RESIN MUKUL GUGGULSTERONE
GUGGULSTERONE IN AYURVEDA
In Ayurvedic treatments, the Guggul resin (Commiphora wightii) named mukul, has been traditionally used to treat ailments as obesity, sores and ulcers, urinary problems, liver disorders, intestinal worms, leucoderma (vitiligo), sinuses, edema and sudden paralytic seizures [9]. Guggulsterone is the primary active constituent of Guggul resin and probably the chemical responsible of the properties exerted by Guggul resin, mukul.
GUGGULSTERONE FOR MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE
Some studies suggest that Guggul resin may play a role in fighting multi-drug resistance, something that makes tumors virtually unbeatable to anticancer drugs but that some natural active constituents as epigallocatechin gallate, curcumin, capsaicin, and guggulsteron, found in plants and herbs seem to be able to fight with succes [10].
GUGGULSTERONE FOR HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Guggulsterone showed also certain positive results in laboratory studies on the treatment of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where it was able to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest [12].
GUGGULSTERONE FOR COLORECTAL CANCER
In another study performed with mice, Guggulsterone significantly increased apoptosis in HT-29 cells showing how guggulsterone may have a certain potential therapeutic use for the treatment of colorectal cancer in future [13].
GUGGULSTERONE CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS
On the other hand Guggulsterone from Commiphora wightii or guggul has been used also for its cardiovascular benefits in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan since very long time ago. Some of these benefits included its hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory activities [14].
GUGGUL SIDE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS
With reference to Commiphora wightii side effects, some cases of mild diarrhea and erythematous rash have been reported after the use of Guggul [5], additionally it´s said to be a uterine stimulant and shall therefore not be taken during pregnancy[7].
There were some cases reported on the hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements containing usnic acid, as herbal extracts from green tea and guggul. At least in one case a healthy woman required an emergency liver transplantation, due to the use of dietary supplements and fat burner containing usnic acid, green tea and guggul tree extracts.
Additionally in other clinical trials using Guggul mild gastrointestinal discomfort, possible thyroid problems, and generalized skin rash were also reported.
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