<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA" lang="EN-US">Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of <i>Myrtus communis</i> L.</span>

Abstract

<i>Myrtus communis</i> L. (Myrtaceae) is known as True Myrtle. <i>M. communis</i> extracts and essential oil are important in drug development with some pharmacological activities in the Middle East especially in Iran. For a long time <i>M. communis</i> has been used in traditional medicines for the treatment of lung disorders and as an antiseptic, anti- inflammatory, mucolytic, carminative and astringent remedy. <i>M. communis</i> has recently been shown to have antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial and antifungal activities and larvicide, insecticide and repellency effects. Myrtucommulone A & B and semi-myrtucommulone are oligomeric, nonprenylatedacylphloroglucinols which are reported from leaves of myrtle. α-pinene, 1,8-cineol, limonene and linalool were identified as the major constituents in <i>M. communis</i> essential oil. Due to the easy collection of the plant and being widespread and also the remarkable biological activities, this plant has been regarded as an important medicinal plant in Iran. This article presents comprehensive analyzed information on the Botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of <i>M. communis</i>.