Abstract
The genus Myrtus L. (Myrtaceae family) comprises two species, Myrtus communis L. (known as common myrtle) growing wild all around the Mediterranean basin and Myrtus nivellei Batt. and Trab. (known as Saharan myrtle), found in central Sahara. Only one country, Algeria, hosts both species, M. communis in the North and M. nivellei in the South. The aim of this review was to collect, summarize, and compare the main results reported relative to the essential oils isolated from aerial parts of both species: botanical aspects, habitat, traditional use, chemical composition, new compounds, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect, and insecticidal activity. Both essential oils have potential applications in human health.
Keywords:
Algeria; Biological activity; Essential oil; Myrtus communis; Myrtus nivellei.
© 2016 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.
MeSH terms
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Algeria
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Animals
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
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Antifungal Agents / chemistry
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Antifungal Agents / isolation & purification
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Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
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Antioxidants / chemistry
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Antioxidants / isolation & purification
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Antioxidants / pharmacology
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Bacteria / drug effects
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Coleoptera / drug effects
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Fungi / drug effects
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Humans
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Insecticides / chemistry
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Insecticides / isolation & purification
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Insecticides / pharmacology
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Myrtus / chemistry*
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Myrtus / growth & development
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Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
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Oils, Volatile / isolation & purification
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Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
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Species Specificity
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Antifungal Agents
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Antioxidants
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Insecticides
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Oils, Volatile