AN IN-VITRO STUDY TO TEST ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF COMMIPHORA MYRRHA IN COMPARISON TO BIOCIDES

Ghada Alotaibi, Dr. Uma M. Irfan* and Dr. Sarah Ali

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Commiphora myrrha (C. myrrha) belongs to the family Burseraceae. Myrrha extract is produced from the oleo-resin gum obtained from the bark of Commiphora molmol, a variable species found in Arabia and Africa. It has been commonly used for treatments of inflammations, as an antipyretic, anti-septic, for infections and ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of C. myrrha in comparison to known biocides. Method: C. myrrha resin gum purchased from local markets in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, was washed in clean water to remove debris and dust, then dried in shade and ground to make Myrrha powder. The aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. myrrha powder was evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity using the agar disc diffusion and well diffusion methods; against two gram positive, one gram negative and one fungal organism. The diameter of the inhibition zones was measured in millimeters and compared with the antimicrobial activity of known biocides. Results: The 10% ethanol extract of C. myrrha exhibited maximum inhibition with 11.3 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and was comparable to the inhibition zones found with biocides such as Amikacin, Tetracycline, and Amoxicillin. As the serial concentration of the extract increased the inhibition zone increased for S. aureus. However, C. myrrha extracts did not have inhibitory effects on Streptococcus species, E. coli, and Candida albicans. Conclusion: Commiphora myrrha ethanol and aqueous extracts have demonstrated a species-specific antibacterial effect, particularly on Staphylococcus aureus as compared to antibiotics such as Amikacin, Amoxicillin and Tetracycline.

Keywords: Commiphora Myrrha, Antimicrobial Activity, Biocides.