Effects on rats of Commiphora myrrha extract given by different routes of administration

The effect of an ethanol extract of Commiphora myrrha oleo-gum resin on hematological and pathophysiological parameters of male Wistar rats was examined. The extract was given daily for 2 w at 1000 mg/kg bw per os, 500 mg/kg bw i.m. or 250 mg/kg bw i.p. Depression, huddling together, soft feces, jaundice, ruffled hair, hepatonephropathy, hemorrhagic myositis and patchy peritonitis (at the injection site) and death were accompanied by increases in serum ALP and ALT activities, bilirubin, cholesterol and creatinine concentrations, and decreases in total protein and albumin levels, and macrocytic anemia and leucopenia. When administered at 500 mg extract/kg bw/d per os or 250 mg extract/kg bw/d i.m. for 2 w it was not lethal, and when given daily for 1 w the effect was less marked.