Myrtle: a versatile medicinal plant

Abstract

Myrtus, commonly called myrtle, is a genus of flowering plants in the Myrtaceae family. This study aimed to review myrtle’s pharmaceutical, food, and other uses. The pharmacological effects of myrtle for antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities, reduction of COVID-19 symptoms, anti-diabetic in the animal model, hepatoprotective in the rat model, antihypertensive, control of intestinal helminthiasis in mice model, inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity, protective effect on oxidative metabolism in the hypothyroidism model, and reducing the damage caused by skin burns are reviewed. In addition, the food uses of this plant such as improving the oxidative and microbial stability of products containing salmon, antimicrobial activity in meat and dairy products, flavoring in sea salt, microbial improvement of fresh fruits during post-harvest storage, animal nutrition, and bio-oil production are summarized. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41110-023-00194-y.

Mediterranean Plants with Antimicrobial Activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a Meta-Analysis for Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applications

“…It has been used for various medicinal purposes throughout history, and its essential oil was used as an antibacterial [ 121 , 122 ]. It possesses antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative and is particularly active against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella typhimurium , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ 123 ]. Monoterpenes are the most abundant group of compounds in Myrtus communis essential oil.…”

Emerging Insights into the Applicability of Essential Oils in the Management of Acne Vulgaris

“…From the leaves, it was possible to separate the polyphenolic substances, hydrolysable tannins, and myricetin glycosides. The main terpenoids and their derivatives, including α-terpineol, caryophyllene oxide, α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, geranyl butyrate, linalool, geraniol, and geranyl acetate, were also identified in the oil sample from myrtle leaves [59].…”

Myrtus communis leaf compounds as novel inhibitors of quorum sensing-regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation: In vitro and in silico investigations

“…Continuing with our studies of medicinal plants from Tunisia [ 14 , 15 ], we turned our attention to Myrtus communis , commonly known as myrtle, which is prevalent in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East [ 16 ]. Since antiquity, it has served as a spice, a crucial ingredient in food preparation, and for medicinal purposes, notably as an antiseptic agent [ 17 ].…”