Toxicity of Commiphora myrrha to goats.

An investigation was made of Commiphora myrrha used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Twelve 6-mo-old male Nubian goat kids were assigned to 4 groups: undosed controls, C myrrha-dosed at 0.25 g plant resin/kg/d, C myrrha-dosed at 1 g resin/kg/d and C myrrha dosed at 5 g plant resin/kg/d. Results of hepatorenal function tests were correlated with clinical and pathological changes. The use of 1 or 5 g plant resin/kg/d caused grinding of teeth, salivation, soft feces, inappetence, jaundice, dyspnea, ataxia and recumbency. Death occurred between 5 and 16 d. Enterohepatonephrotoxicity was accompanied by anemia, leucopenia, increases in serum ALP activity and concentrations of bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides and creatinine, and decreases in total protein and albumin. The oral dose of 0.25 g plant resin/kg/d was not toxic.