phytochemistry and biological activities of myrtus communis l. (myrtaceae)

Myrtle (myrtus communis l., myrtaceae) is an evergreen shrub being distributed in the northern parts of iran and southern parts such as fars, kerman, yazd, and hormozgan provinces (1). myrtus communis is a medicinal herb being extensively used in traditional medicine. a large number of its components has been studied like polyphenols, myrtucommulone, semimyrtucommulone, 1,8‐cineole, α‐pinene, myrtenyl acetate, limonene, linalool, and α‐terpinolene. all parts of this species have been used extensively in traditional medicine. m. communis is used to treat diarrhea, peptic ulcer, hemorrhoid, inflammation, and pulmonary and skin diseases. in addition, clinical studies have shown more pharmacological effects such as anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti‐diabetic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities (2,3). chemical components like volatile substances, terpenoids, triterpene, flavonoids, tannins, and fatty acids have been isolated from different parts of the plant. although m. communis is still less known in developed countries, its anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and analgesic effects have been proven well. recent studies have indicated that m. communis has anti-hyperglycemic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-hemorrhagic, hepatoprotective, wound healing, and insecticidal properties (1). the present review attempts to give an overview of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies of m. communis needing further research to unravel other pharmacological activities of this plant in the long run either for human or animals.