Essential Oil Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Leaf Micromorphology of Five Tunisian Eucalyptus Species

Abstract

Eucalyptus species have been widely employed in the projects of reforestation in Tunisia. Although their ecological functions are controversial, these plants are indeed important to counteract soil erosion, and represent a fast-growing source of fuelwood and charcoal wood. In the present study, we considered five Eucalyptus species, namely Eucalyptus alba, E. eugenioides, E. fasciculosa, E. robusta, and E. stoatei cultivated in the Tunisian Arboreta. The aim was to carry out the micromorphological and anatomical characterization of the leaves, the extraction and phytochemical profile of the essential oils (EOs), and the evaluation of their biological properties. Four of the EOs showed the prevalence of eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) varying from 64.4 to 95.9%, whereas a-pinene predominated in E. alba EO (54.1%). These EOs showed in vitro antioxidant activity, and reduced the oxidative cellular stress as shown by their activity on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and modulation of the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) and heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1). Moreover, the EOs inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), showing anti-inflammatory activity. The data collected suggest that these EOs may be considered a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammation-based diseases and may represent an additional value for the economy of Tunisia.

Evaluation of the Essential Oils Used in the Production of Biopesticides: Assessing Their Toxicity toward Both Arthropod Target Species and Beneficial Pollinators

“…It led to a decrease in soluble proteins, lipids, and total sugar in the bodies of the honeybees [111]. It is extracted from the leaves of Eucalyptus trees, which comprise over 800 species [112]. The primary source for extracting the essential oil is Eucalyptus globulus Labill (syn.…”

Antimicrobial, Herbicidal and pesticidal potential of Tunisian eucalyptus species: Chemoprofiling and biological evaluation

“…The interest in eucalyptus species stems from their chemical diversity, providing a myriad of industrial applications ranging from construction to paper production, honey harvesting, and rubber extraction [ 4 ]. However, recent attention has shifted towards exploring the biological potential of their EOs, paving the way for in-depth studies on their anti-inflammatory [ 5 ], antioxidant [ 6 ], antitumoral properties [ 7 ], among others.…”

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Properties, and Anti-Enzymatic Effects of Eucalyptus Essential Oils Sourced from Tunisia

“…As part of this context, the Eucalyptus genus, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, has attracted significant scientific interest with its extensive diversity of species and diverse biological activities, like antioxidant [6], anti-diabetic [7], phytotoxic [8] antimicrobial [9], and insecticidal [10] properties.…”