Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari. Review of Its Botany, Medicinal Uses, Pharmacological Activities and Phytochemistry

Abstract

The oldest remedies identified to mankind are herbal medicines. India is recognized worldwide for its Ayurvedic treatment. As only little studies are done on this plant, the purpose of current review is to make accessible up-to-date information on, botany, morphology, ecological biodiversity, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities on diverse parts of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari (C. wightii). This review was assembled using scientific literature from electronic search engine such as Springerlink, BioMed Central, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Scielo, Medline and Science domain. Supplementary literatures were obtained from books, book chapters, dissertations, websites and other scientific publications. C. wightii  (Syn. Commiphora mukul Hook. ex. Stocks) or Guggulu tree. C. wightii is a shrub or small tree belonging to Burseraceae family. C. wightii contains volatile oil, gum resin, gugulipids, guggulsterones, guggulsterols, mukolol and other steroids. Guggulu is very much used in Ayuvedic system of medicine as astringent, anti-septic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, carminative, anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue. In Ayurveda, it is the best among herbs that are used for Medoroga and Vata disorders. It is widely used for obesity and it is also known as fat burning agent all over the world. It helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides level. It is very effective in rheumatoid arthritis, gout and sciatica. It is also one of the most important Rasayana of Ayurveda. In addition it treats sluggish liver, stimulates libido, nervous diseases, bronchial congestion, cardiac and circulatory problems, weak digestion, wounds, abscess, foetid ear, fractures, gynaecological problems and various skin diseases. C. wightii is a very important and trustworthy herb in Ayurvedic medicine. This alternative system of medicine is gaining increasing fame universal. There is a required to isolate active constituents, their biological test, molecular mechanisms, experimental defense and legalization of therapeutic uses of C. wightii. The collected information will be obliging to locate up study protocol for current drugs and Ayurvedic formulation extension in remedial and luxury a variety of ailments.