Investigation of Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. Oil and Its Main Components for Antiviral Activity

Abstract

The resinous exudate produced by Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. is commonly known as true myrrh and has been used since antiquity for several medicinal applications. Hundreds of metabolites have been identified in the volatile component of myrrh so far, mainly sesquiterpenes. Although several efforts have been devoted to identifying these sesquiterpenes, the phytochemical analyses have been performed by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) where the high temperature employed can promote degradation of the components. In this work, we report the extraction of C. myrrha by supercritical CO2, an extraction method known for the mild extraction conditions that allow avoiding undesired chemical reactions during the process. In addition, the analyses of myrrh oil and of its metabolites were performed by HPLC and GC–MS. Moreover, we evaluated the antiviral activity against influenza A virus of the myrrh extracts, that was possible to appreciate after the addition of vitamin E acetate (α-tocopheryl acetate) to the extract. Further, the single main bioactive components of the oil of C. myrrha commercially available were tested. Interestingly, we found that both furanodienone and curzerene affect viral replication by acting on different steps of the virus life cycle.

Recent Advances in Recovery of Lycopene from Tomato Waste: A Potent Antioxidant with Endless Benefits

“…Furthermore, it is quickly accessible and simply removed from products, and, also, critical CO 2 temperature is close to room one, and therefore it is also suitable for thermolabile substances [ 60 ]. Due to its non-polar nature, CO 2 has been used successfully for the extraction of non-polar compounds from plants [ 61 , 62 ]. SFE demonstrated to be a proper method for the extraction of lycopene without organic solvent residues, thus overcoming the main issues in extracting lycopene: its solubility and stability.…”

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“…Notably, furanosesquiterpenes such furanoelemanes, furanoeudesmanes, and furanogermacranes are the distinctive components of myrrh oil. Sesquiterpenoids, which are significant constituents of volatile oil, have a range of biological properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties that can inhibit the growth of bacteria like A. aureus and Bacillus subtilis as well as the fungus Aspergillus brasiliensis and have stronger antioxidative potential ( Madia et al., 2021 ). Helichrysum italicum essential oil from France had a greater antioxidant capacity and more significant antibacterial action against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis as well as the fungus Aspergillus brasiliensis ( Mollova et al., 2020 ).…”

Ultrastructural Damages to H1N1 Influenza Virus Caused by Vapor Essential Oils

“…The viral protein expression was analyzed by ICW assay, as already described [11]. Briefly, MDCK confluent cell monolayers were infected with PR8 treated or not with EOs vapor phases for 1 h at 37 • C. After viral adsorption, cells were washed with PBS, supplemented with fresh medium plus 2% FBS and maintained for 24 h at 37 • C. Cell monolayers were then fixed with 3.7% formaldehyde for 20 min, permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100 and incubated with Odyssey blocking buffer (LI-COR Bioscience, Lincoln, NE, USA) for 60 min at room temperature.…”

“…Among them, various essential oils (EOs) from plants have been screened to assess their antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activities [6]. Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenylpropenes [7,8], which have been investigated for a wide range of properties [9][10][11].…”