Antioxidant Activity of L. and Batt. & Trab. Extracts: A Brief Review

Overview

Journal Medicines (Basel)

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2018 Aug 15

PMID 30103510

Citations 17

Authors

Aicha Hennia

Maria Graca Miguel

Said Nemmiche

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

L. (myrtle) and Batt. & Trab. (Saharan myrtle) have been used in folk medicine for alleviating some ailments. is largely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin, whereas is confined in specific zones of the central Saharan mountains. The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of berry and leaf extracts isolated from myrtle are deeply documented, whereas those isolated from Saharan myrtle extracts are less studied. In both species, the major groups of constituents include gallic acid derivatives, flavonols, flavonol derivatives, and hydroxybenzoic acids. In coloured berries, anthocyanins are also present. In extracts are reported for some compounds not described in M. communis so far: 2-hydroxy-1,8-cineole-β-d-glucopyranoside, 2-hydroxy-1,8-cineole 2-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl (1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, rugosin A, and rugosin B. Berries and leaves extracts of both species had antioxidant activity. Comparative studies of the antioxidant activity between leaf and berry myrtle extracts revealed that leaf extracts are best antioxidants, which can be assigned to the galloyl derivatives, flavonols, and flavonols derivatives, although the ratio of these groups of compounds might also have an important role in the antioxidant activity. The anthocyanins present in myrtle berries seem to possess weak antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of sample extracts depended on various factors: harvesting time, storage, extraction solvent, extraction type, and plant part used, among other factors. Leaf extracts of myrtle revealed to possess anti-inflammatory activity in several models used. This property has been attributed either to the flavonoids and/or hydrolysable tannins, nevertheless nonprenylated acylphloroglucinols (e.g., myrtucommulone and semimyrtucommulone) have also revealed a remarkable role in that activity. The biological activities of myrtle extracts found so far may direct its use towards for stabilizing complex lipid systems, as prebiotic in food formulations, and as novel therapeutic for the management of inflammation.

Citing Articles

Phytochemical analysis, bioactivity, and molecular docking studies of Myrtus communis L. seeds and fruit peel extracts demonstrating antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase properties.

Al-Najjar B, Elshibani F, Sharkasi M, Shintiri N, Naili E, Abdulsayid M Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):5634.

PMID: 39955379 PMC: 11830023. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89401-6.

Neuroprotective Effects of Myrtle Berry By-Product Extracts on 6-OHDA-Induced Cytotoxicity in PC12 Cells.

Dessi D, Fais G, Follesa P, Sarais G Antioxidants (Basel). 2025; 14(1).

PMID: 39857422 PMC: 11759165. DOI: 10.3390/antiox14010088.

Natural Diversity in Total Phenol, Flavonoids, Antioxidant Properties, and Essential Oil Composition of Iranian Populations of L.

Yarahmadi R, Mumivand H, Nia A, Raji M, Argento S Plants (Basel). 2025; 13(24.

PMID: 39771156 PMC: 11677132. DOI: 10.3390/plants13243458.

Chemical Characterization and Biological Activities Evaluation of L. Essential Oil Extraction By-Product towards Circular Economy and Sustainability.

Abdessemed M, Bouacida S, Turki M, Ben Haj Koubaier H, Omrani S, Allouache R Foods. 2024; 13(14).

PMID: 39063295 PMC: 11275387. DOI: 10.3390/foods13142211.

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

Khadraoui N, Essid R, Damergi B, Fares N, Gharbi D, Forero A Biofilm. 2024; 8:100205.

PMID: 38988475 PMC: 11231753. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100205.

References

Dahmoune F, Nayak B, Moussi K, Remini H, Madani K . Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of polyphenols from Myrtus communis L. leaves. Food Chem. 2014; 166:585-595. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.06.066. View

Elfellah M, Akhter M, Khan M . Anti-hyperglycaemic effect of an extract of Myrtus communis in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 1984; 11(3):275-81. DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(84)90073-4. View

Mansour A, Celano R, Mencherini T, Picerno P, Piccinelli A, Foudil-Cherif Y . A new cineol derivative, polyphenols and norterpenoids from Saharan myrtle tea (Myrtus nivellei): Isolation, structure determination, quantitative determination and antioxidant activity. Fitoterapia. 2017; 119:32-39. DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2017.03.013. View

Wannes W, Marzouk B . Characterization of myrtle seed (Myrtus communis var. baetica) as a source of lipids, phenolics, and antioxidant activities. J Food Drug Anal. 2017; 24(2):316-323. PMC: 9339548. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2015.11.001. View

Al-Mariri A, Safi M . In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Several Plant Extracts and Oils against Some Gram-Negative Bacteria. Iran J Med Sci. 2014; 39(1):36-43. PMC: 3895893. View

Messaoud C, Laabidi A, Boussaid M . Myrtus communis L. infusions: the effect of infusion time on phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. J Food Sci. 2012; 77(9):C941-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02849.x. View

Onal S, Timur S, Okutucu B, Zihnioglu F . Inhibition of alpha-glucosidase by aqueous extracts of some potent antidiabetic medicinal herbs. Prep Biochem Biotechnol. 2005; 35(1):29-36. DOI: 10.1081/PB-200041438. View

Rosa A, Deiana M, Casu V, Corona G, Appendino G, Bianchi F . Antioxidant activity of oligomeric acylphloroglucinols from Myrtus communis L. Free Radic Res. 2003; 37(9):1013-9. DOI: 10.1080/10715760310001595739. View

Gerbeth K, Husch J, Meins J, Rossi A, Sautebin L, Wiechmann K . Myrtucommulone from Myrtus communis: metabolism, permeability, and systemic exposure in rats. Planta Med. 2012; 78(18):1932-8. DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1327881. View

10.

Qaraaty M, Kamali S, Hashem Dabaghian F, Zafarghandi N, Mokaberinejad R, Mobli M . Effect of myrtle fruit syrup on abnormal uterine bleeding: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Daru. 2014; 22:45. PMC: 4079189. DOI: 10.1186/2008-2231-22-45. View

11.

Snoussi A, Hayet B, Essaidi I, Zgoulli S, Moncef C, Thonart P . Improvement of the composition of Tunisian myrtle berries (Myrtus communis L.) alcohol extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2011; 60(2):608-14. DOI: 10.1021/jf202883s. View

12.

Sen A, Ozkan S, Recebova K, Cevik O, Ercan F, Kervancioglu Demirci E . Effects of Myrtus communis extract treatment in bile duct ligated rats. J Surg Res. 2016; 205(2):359-367. DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.06.094. View

13.

Appendino G, Bianchi F, Minassi A, Sterner O, Ballero M, Gibbons S . Oligomeric acylphloroglucinols from myrtle (Myrtus communis). J Nat Prod. 2002; 65(3):334-8. DOI: 10.1021/np010441b. View

14.

Mobli M, Qaraaty M, Amin G, Haririan I, Hajimahmoodi M, Rahimi R . Scientific evaluation of medicinal plants used for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding by Avicenna. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015; 292(1):21-35. DOI: 10.1007/s00404-015-3629-x. View

15.

Yoshida N . Inflammation and oxidative stress in gastroesophageal reflux disease. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2008; 40(1):13-23. PMC: 2291500. DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.40.13. View

16.

Rosa A, Melis M, Deiana M, Atzeri A, Appendino G, Corona G . Protective effect of the oligomeric acylphloroglucinols from Myrtus communis on cholesterol and human low density lipoprotein oxidation. Chem Phys Lipids. 2008; 155(1):16-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2008.04.005. View

17.

Giao M, Gonzalez-SanJose M, Rivero-Perez M, Pereira C, Pintado M, Malcata F . Infusions of Portuguese medicinal plants: Dependence of final antioxidant capacity and phenol content on extraction features. J Sci Food Agric. 2010; 87(14):2638-47. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.3023. View

18.

Rached W, Bennaceur M, Barros L, Calhelha R, Heleno S, Alves M . Detailed phytochemical characterization and bioactive properties of Myrtus nivelii Batt & Trab. Food Funct. 2017; 8(9):3111-3119. DOI: 10.1039/c7fo00744b. View

19.

Naghibi F, Esmaeili S, Abdullah N, Nateghpour M, Taghvai M, Kamkar S . In vitro and in vivo antimalarial evaluations of myrtle extract, a plant traditionally used for treatment of parasitic disorders. Biomed Res Int. 2014; 2013:316185. PMC: 3885200. DOI: 10.1155/2013/316185. View

20.

Wannes W, Mhamdi B, Sriti J, Jemia M, Ouchikh O, Hamdaoui G . Antioxidant activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts from myrtle (Myrtus communis var. italica L.) leaf, stem and flower. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010; 48(5):1362-70. DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.03.002. View