title: The Genus Myrtus L. in Algeria: Composition and Biological Aspects of Essential Oils from M. communis and M. nivellei: A Review.
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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie and Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique, Modélisation et Optimisation des Procédés Chimiques, Université Badji-Mokhtar, B.P.12, 23000 Annaba, Algérie.
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouzabata
authors.affiliation: UMR 6134 SPE, Equipe Chimie et Biomasse, Route des Sanguinaires, Université de Corse-CNRS, FR-20000, Ajaccio.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casanova
authors.affiliation: UMR 6134 SPE, Equipe Chimie et Biomasse, Route des Sanguinaires, Université de Corse-CNRS, FR-20000, Ajaccio.
authors.forename: Ange
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bighelli
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudos Farmacêuticos/Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.|Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular e Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Coimbra, PT-3000-295, Coimbra.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavaleiro
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudos Farmacêuticos/Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.|Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular e Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Coimbra, PT-3000-295, Coimbra.
authors.forename: Ligia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
authors.affiliation: UMR 6134 SPE, Equipe Chimie et Biomasse, Route des Sanguinaires, Université de Corse-CNRS, FR-20000, Ajaccio.
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomi
mesh_terms: D000462:Algeria; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000187:drug effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D031651:Myrtus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile
keywords: Algeria; Biological activity; Essential oil; Myrtus communis; Myrtus nivellei