OLEOGUM RESIN GUGGULU: A REVIEW OF THE MEDICINAL EVIDENCE FOR ITS THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES

Guggulu is an oleogum resin that exudes spontaneously as a result of injury from the bark of Commiphora wightii Bhandari (Syn : Commiphora mukul Hook. ex Stocks or Balsamodendron mukul Hook. ex Stocks). In Ayurveda guggulu enters into the preparation of several compound medicines most of which are named with suffix ‘guggulu’. It is a complex mixture of steroids, diterpenoids, aliphatic esters, carbohydrates, amino acids and variety of inorganic compounds. Traditionally it is used to treat arthritis, obesity, and other disorders. Guggul has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. This review is an effort to compile all the available information reported on its macroscopic features, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity and adverse reactions.