Bhat et al Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2021; 11(1-s):170-172
ISSN: 2250-1177 [170] CODEN (USA): JDDTAO
Available Online on 15.02.2021 at http://Jddtonline.Info
Journal Of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics
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Open Access Full Text Article Review Article
Medicinal benefits and scientific justification of Commiphora mukul
(Muqil): A review
Shabir Ahmad Bhat*
1
, Shameem Ahmad Rather
2
1. MD Scholar Department of Moalajat, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Naseem Bagh, University of Kashmir, Srinagar J&K, India
2. Reader Department of Moalajat, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Naseem Bagh, University of Kashmir, Srinagar J&K, India
Article Info:
_____________________________________________
Article History:
Received 07 Dec 2020;
Review Completed 23 Jan 2021
Accepted 29 Jan 2021;
Available Online 15 Feb 2021
_____________________________________________
Cite This Article As:
Bhat SA, Rather SA, Medicinal Benefits and Scientific
Justification of Commiphora mukul (Muqil): A Review,
Journal Of Drug Delivery And Therapeutics. 2021; 11(1-
S):170-172
Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v11i1-s.4550
Abstract
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Commiphora mukul (Muqil or Guggul), oleo-gum, has been in use for thousands of years
as a medicine in Unani and Ayurvedic medicinal systems. It was primarily used for
swellings, inflammation, piles, arthritis and urinary disorders. Among its various types
Muqil-I-Arzaq, a gum, having reddish hue is considered to be the best form of Muqil for
medicinal purposes. It has been revealed to inhibit the nuclear factor-kb, a regulator of
inflammatory response, and act as a potent antagonist to the receptors of androgens,
mineralocorticoides, and glucocorticoides. Muqil is a versatile herb with diverse
medicinal benefits which demand scientific validation. A coherent review of properties,
medicinal benefits, traditional uses and scientific studies of Muqil, along with the
overall processes involved from collection to consumption is judiciously described in
this paper. The aim of this review is to provide a base for multiple research works,
validating Commiphora mukul in different chronic ailments.
keywords: Commiphora mukul, Inflammation, Muqil, Nuclear factor-KB, Unani
*Address for Correspondence:
Shabir Ahmad Bhat, MD Scholar, Department of Moalajat, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Naseem Bagh, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu
&Kashmir, India.
Introduction
Commiphora mukul (Muqil in Arab) is oleo gum of a small
tree, which mostly grows in Arab countries. The plant is
commercially cultivated in India and Pakistan. It is widely
used as medicine for different diseases in Unani and
Ayurvedic system of medicines. It is of many types, Muqil-i-
Arzaq, Muqilul yahūd, Muqil-i-Saqalbi and Muqil-i-Makki.
Except the last one which is a fruit, all other types are gum
(Gond). Among all these types Muqil-i-Arzaq, having reddish
hue, is considered to be the best form of Muqil. It dissolves in
water easily and its life span is about 20 years.
1
Because of
its over harvesting in India, world conservation union has
kept it in red list of threatened species.
2
In Greco-Arab
(Unani) medicinal system muqil is one of the versatile
medicinal herb having wide range of properties. Some of
which have been scientifically evaluated, yet much of them
are still under curtains.
Taxonomical classification and
nomenclature
3,4,5
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Spindales
Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Commiphora
Botanical name: Commiphora mukul
Synonym: Commiphora wightii, Balsamodendron mukul
Vernacular names
1,3,4,5
English: Indian bdellium, Gum Guggul
Arabic: Muqil, Qafr
Persian: Bu-i-jahudān
Greek: Madīqūn, Aflatin, Fadīlūn
Roman: Bazaliūn
Hindi: Guggul
Sanskrit: Devadhupa, Kaushika
Bengali: Gugal, Gugu
Gujarati: Gugali, Gugar
Tamil: Erumaikan, Kungiliyam
General description
Macroscopic description
Muqil tree grows up to 4 m tall, densely branched, having
simple or trifoliate leaves, with serrated margins. The plant
has separate male and female flowers, so that it reproduces