Myrtle (Myrtus communis L., Myrtaceae) is a medicinal herb used worldwide in traditional medicine. A large number of components have been isolated from this herb. Polyphenols, myrtucommulone (MC), semimyrtucommulone (S-MC), 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, myrtenyl acetate, limonene, linalool and α-terpinolene are among the compounds considered to be the main biologically active components. Various parts of this herb such as its berries, leaves and fruits have been used extensively as a folk medicine for several centuries. The herb is used traditionally for the treatment of disorders such as diarrhea, peptic ulcer, hemorrhoid, inflammation, pulmonary and skin diseases, although clinical and experimental studies suggest that it possesses a broader spectrum of pharmacological and therapeutic effects such as antioxidative, anticancer, anti-diabetic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective activity. The present review attempts to give an overview on the phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicological and clinical studies of total extracts and the most relevant active ingredients of M. communis.

Review of pharmacological effects of Myrtus communis L. and its active constituents.

Myrtus communis Linn . or common Myrtle (Family ─ Myrtaceae) is one of the important drugs being used in Unani System of Medicine since ancient Greece period. It is recognized as Aas and its berries are known by the name of Habb-ulAas . It is often grown for its attractive foliage, flowers and berries. Its berries, leaves as well as essential oil are frequently used for various ailments like gastric ulcer, diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, rheumatism, haemorrhages, deep sinuses, leucorrhoea and cosmetic purposes like hair fall control. The leaves, berries and twigs are used in flavouring of food and wines. In past times, ripe fruits were used as food integrators because of their high vitamin contents. A wide range of biologically active compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, essential oil, fixed oil, fibres, sugars, citric acid, malic acid and antioxidants are present in the plant. This contribution provides a comprehensive review of its ethno-medical uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological profile as a medicinal plant.

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/13336/3/IJNPR%202(4)%20395-402.pdf

Myrtus communis Linn. ─ A review

The effects of dietary Myrtle (Myrtus communis) on skin mucus immune parameters and mRNA levels of growth, antioxidant and immune related genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Myrtus communis L (Myrtaceae) is one of the popular drugs being used in the Unani system of phytomedicine since ancient Greece period. From time immemorial, different parts of this plant and essential oil have been used for a variety of purposes such as cosmetics (hair fall control), flavoring of food and drinks as well as extensive therapeutic purposes. Ethnobotanical information revealed that M communis L has been a folkloric repute for the treatment of several diseases like gastric ulcer, diarrhea, dysentery, cancer, rheumatism, hemorrhage, deep sinuses, leucorrhoea, hemorrhoid, inflammation, dyspepsia, anxiety, insomnia, diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary disorders, and skin diseases. Moreover, ethnopharmacological studies revealed that the plant is endowed with extensive pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, vasodilator, antiulcer, antioxidant, anticancer, anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, and anti-inflammatory activities, among others. The plant has been known to contain phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and terpenes. The myrtle oil was also found to be rich in a variety of bioactive monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes with their derivatives. Most of these studies validate the aforementioned traditional claims of this medicinal plant. Further studies are needed to unravel other pharmacological activities of this plant in the long run.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2156587217718958

Ethnobotanical, Ethnopharmacological, and Phytochemical Studies of Myrtus communis Linn: A Popular Herb in Unani System of Medicine.

Nosocomial pathogens are associated with increased hospital stay lengths and mortality rates. Increasing resistance to antibiotics makes the treatment of these infections more difficult. Novel antimicrobial compounds derived from natural sources may be useful for addressing antiobiotic resistance. The objective of this study is to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) leaves against pathogens causing nosocomial infections. The chemical composition of essential oil from M. communis leaves was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against bacteria and fungi was evaluated by broth micro-dilution as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major constituents of the essential oil were α-pinene (39.2 %), 1,8-cineole (22.0 %), and linalool (18.4 %). The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against ...

S H Mir Hendi Esfahani

Papers

Antifungal Activity of Myrtus Communis L. Esssential Oil Against Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus