ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determinate the effects of C. myrrha resin extract on the cellular morphology of Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), fungi (Aspergillus niger) and yeast (Candida albicans).
Materials and Methods: Oleo-gum resins of C. myrrha were collected from Wadi Noeman at Makkah. Ethanolic extract (85%) of C. myrrha resins obviously inhibited the growth of the tested pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MBC/MFC) were tested. The phytochemical screening of Myrrh resin extract was performed to find the presence of active chemical constituents. Cellular morphology of the tested microorganisms was examined using Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, the obtained data were statistically analyzed.
Results: C. myrrha extract was found to have antimicrobial activities causing a zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli; 29mm, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida albicans; 27mm and Aspergillus brasiliensis; 16mm. Phytochemical analyses of Commiphora myrrha extract showed high concentrations of tannins, isoprenoids and sterols. The FTIR spectrum of C. myrrha resin showed the presence of hydroxyl radical which may has a role in its antimicrobial activity. The effects of C. myrrha resin extract on the cellular morphology of the tested pathogens were observed using the SEM which revealed that the ethanolic extract of C. myrrha resin showed a strong antimicrobial activity.
Conclusions: The C. myrrha resin extract showed a considerable antibacterial activity against the tested pathogens which give the hope to use it in the future in medical as well as pharmaceutical applications.