Abstract
Background: Commiphora molmol has been known as "myrrh" and it has been one of the common herbs consumed throughout the world especially in the Arabian countries.
Aim: to study the effect of Commiphora molmol on the total leukocyte count and histological alterations in liver and spleen of mice.
Materials and methods: Adult male mice (20 mice) were adapted in the basal diet in this study, then divided to two groups: The first group contained 10 mice and served as the control group, and the second group consisted of 10 mice and served as myrrh treated group in drinking water. The total leukocytes count was done. Liver and spleen paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H&E to determine the effect of treatments on these organs. The experiment took two weeks. All the experimental testes were done twice in time intervals of one week.
Results: myrrh dietary supplementation improved the cellular immune response by increasing the total leukocytes count in myrrh treated animals when compared to the non-treated animals. In the second group which received myrrh, the livers of the mice suspension showed more and/or less normal histological profile when compared to the first group (control group). Moreover, the microscopic investigation of the spleen of myrrh-cure mice, illustrated an increased density of lymphatic glands around the arterioles in the white pulp.
In conclusion, the results from this study demonstrated the effectiveness of myrrh as signs showing future success of immunological drugs, and further investigations should be done to show the benefits of this plant.