Abstract
All sesquiterpenes present in a sample of scented myrrh were isolated and characterised.
Seven compounds, with cadinane, guaiane, oplopane, and eudesmane skeletons, were obtained,
of which two are new and two are reported from a natural source for the first time.
The major component, T-cadinol, has previously been shown to possess smooth muscle-relaxing
properties, and the major purpose of the investigation was to compare the effects
of the minor and more polar sesquiterpenes with that of T-cadinol in the rat aorta.
Like T-cadinol, the minor sesquiterpenes are more efficient in reducing K+-induced contractions than those induced by the α-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine,
however, they were all less potent than T-cadinol.
key words
Scented myrrh -
Commiphora guidotti
- Burseraceae - sesquiterpenes - T-cadinol - smooth muscle relaxant
