Myrrh

This article is compiled based on the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) – 2025 Edition

Issued and maintained by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)

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1 DEFINITION

Myrrh is the oleo-gum resin of stems and branches of Commiphora molmol Engler and other related species of Commiphora other than Commiphora mukul (Fam. Burseraceae).

2 IDENTIFICATION

2.1 A.

Sample: 0.4 g of crushed Myrrh

Analysis: Triturate the Sample with 1 g of washed sand, shake for a few min with 10 mL of ethyl ether, and filter. Evaporate the filtrate to dryness in a porcelain dish, and add a few drops of nitric acid to the residue.

Acceptance criteria: A purplish violet color is produced instantly.

2.2 B.

Sample: 0.1 g of powdered Myrrh

Analysis: Transfer the Sample to a test tube, and add 1 mL of nitric acid.

Acceptance criteria: A red color is produced. Upon addition of a crystal of vanillin, the red color deepens and does not diminish when water is added.

2.3 C. Thin-Layer Chromatographic Identification Test 〈201〉

Standard solution: 7 µg/mL of (E)-anethole, 8 µg/mL of linalool, and 10 µg/mL each of (−)-bornyl acetate and (R)-(−)-carvone in toluene

Sample solution: 250 mg/mL of finely powdered Myrrh in alcohol. [Note-Shake for 1 min, centrifuge, and filter.]

Spray reagent: Dissolve 0.5 mL of p-anisaldehyde in 10 mL of glacial acetic acid. Add 85 mL of methanol, and then carefully add 5 mL of sulfuric acid. [Note-Prepare fresh immediately before use.]

Application volume: 2 µL for the Sample solution and 1 µL for the Standard solution

Developing solvent system: Toluene and ethyl acetate (93:7)

Analysis

Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution

[Note-Wash the plate in the Developing solvent system, and air-dry before use.]

Spray the plate with Spray reagent, heat in an oven at 100° for 5 min, and examine in white light.

Acceptance criteria:

The chromatogram of the Standard solution exhibits four well-resolved spots: an olive-brown spot due to (E)-anethole at an R value of about 0.6; an orange-brown spot due to (−)-bornyl acetate at an R value of about 0.5; a reddish-brown spot due to (R)-(−)-carvone at an R value of about 0.4; and a deep gray spot due to linalool at an R value of about 0.2.

The chromatogram of the Sample solution exhibits an intense purplish-red spot at an R value of about 0.7 and two moderately intense purplish-red spots at R values of about 0.5 and 0.4. The chromatogram of the Sample solution may exhibit other spots of varying intensities, including a spot at the origin.

2.4 D. Thin-Layer Chromatographic Identification Test 〈201〉

Standard solution: 4 µg/mL of (E)-anethole and 1 mg/mL of thymol in alcohol

Sample solution: Transfer 0.5 g of finely powdered Myrrh to a test tube containing 5.0 mL of alcohol, and warm the mixture in a water bath for 2–3 min. Cool, and filter.

Developing solvent system: Toluene and ethyl acetate (49:1)

Analysis

Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution

Proceed as directed. Allow the plate to air-dry, and examine under UV light at 365 nm.

Acceptance criteria: The chromatogram of the Sample solution shows no blue-to-violet fluorescent zones in the lower third of the chromatogram (absence of Commiphora mukul).

3 CONTAMINANTS

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Limits of Elemental Impurities: Meets the requirements

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Methods of Analysis, Acid-Insoluble Ash: NMT 5.0%

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Methods of Analysis, Total Ash: NMT 10.0%

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Methods of Analysis, Foreign Organic Matter: NMT 2%

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Pesticide Residue Analysis: Meets the requirements

4 SPECIFIC TESTS

Botanical Characteristics: Myrrh occurs in rounded or irregular tears, or bumps of agglutinated tears, of variable sizes; brownish yellow to reddish brown, covered with some grayish or yellowish dust, externally; rich brown or reddish brown internally, sometimes marked with white spots or lines; thin splinters, translucent or almost transparent; brittle; waxy, granular, conchoidal fracture; characteristic and aromatic odor; aromatic, bitter, and acrid taste.

Loss on Drying 〈731〉

Sample: 1.0 g of powdered Myrrh

Analysis: Dry the Sample at 100°–105° for 2 h.

Acceptance criteria: NMT 15.0%

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Methods of Analysis, Alcohol-Soluble Extractives, Method 2: 40%–70%

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Methods of Analysis, Water-Soluble Extractives, Method 2: NLT 50%

Articles of Botanical Origin 〈561〉, Methods of Analysis, Volatile Oil Determination: NLT 6.0%

5 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Packaging and Storage: Preserve in tight containers, and store at controlled room temperature, in a dry place.

Labeling: Label it to indicate the species of Commiphora from which the oleo-gum resin was obtained. Label it to indicate that it is intended for topical and oropharyngeal use only.