Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Antimicrobial Activities of Eugenia Species - A Review.

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical health problem, and pathogens responsible for common infections have developed resistance to antimicrobials, posing a threat to global health and placing a huge burden on health services. During the past two decades, the search for new bioactive agents in nature has become extremely important for promoting health and in the development of more efficient antimicrobials. The genus Eugenia is one of the largest in the Myrtaceae family, comprising approximately 1000 species from Mexico to Argentina, with a few species distributed in Australia and Africa. Eugenia species are used in folk medicine, with antidiabetic, antirheumatic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This study systematically reviews the Eugenia species to compile the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial effects. In addition, we provide information regarding the traditional uses and cytotoxic activity of Eugenia species. We conducted a systematic literature search of specialized databases (Web of Science, Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus) and selected articles published between 1973 and 2015 using Eugenia and antimicrobial activity, Eugenia and toxicity, and Eugenia and chemical composition as key words. Ninety-three studies were included, and the phytochemical analyses from these studies show that Eugenia species are a rich source of flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Chemical constituents play an apparent role in the antimicrobial effects and reinforce the known antimicrobial potential of the Eugenia genus. It is worth mentioning that some Eugenia species cause significant cytotoxicity.

In vitro safety and efficacy evaluations of a complex botanical mixture of Eugenia dysenterica DC. (Myrtaceae): Prospects for developing a new dermocosmetic product.

In the context of developing a new natural product-based cosmetic, the in vitro efficacy and safety evaluations of a complex botanical mixture based on Eugenia dysenterica leaf hydroalcoholic extract (EDE) (2.5-1000µg/mL) were carried out. Chromatographic analysis demonstrated the presence of the tannin (ellagic acid) and flavonoids (quercetin and gallic acid) which characterize the EDE as a polyphenol-rich mixture. Using HFF-1 fibroblasts, it was shown that EDE promoted cell regeneration after UVA exposure. It also led to the inhibition of the collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase enzymes, which are involved in skin-related disorders. In terms of toxicological evaluation, the EDE was classified as non-phototoxic through the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test (OECD N° 432, 2004) and non-eye irritant by Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (OECD N° 437, 2013) assay, in conjunction with corneal histomorphometric analysis. Furthermore, the EDE has no skin sensitization potential as demonstrated by a two-out-of-three prediction model [protein-binding/haptenization (OECD N° 442C, 2015), keratinocyte and dendritic cell activations]. In addition, it was shown that the EDE seems to be non-genotoxic through the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (OECD N° 487, 2014) using HepG2 cells. When considered together, these findings support the use of EDE botanical mixture in cosmetic/pharmaceutical products.

Aspectos populares e científicos do uso de espécies de Eugenia como fitoterápico / Popular and scientific aspects of Eugenia species use as herbal

O uso da biodiversidade brasileira pela população continua sendo uma das maiores fontes de descoberta de novas entidades químicas bioativas. Este trabalho realizou uma revisão da literatura referente às características botânica, etnobotânica, atividade farmacológica, toxicológica e constituição química das espécies de Eugenia: Eugenia brasiliensis Lam, Eugenia dysenterica DC, Eugenia umbelliflora O. Berg, Eugenia florida DC., Eugenia involucrate DC. e Eugenia uniflora L. Esse estudo descritivo retrospectivo tem como objetivo avaliar o biopotencial das espécies deste gênero, bem como o avanço do desenvolvimento de fitomedicamentos utilizando estas plantas.(AU)

The use of the Brazilian biodiversity by the population remains a major source of discovery of new bioactive chemical entities. In this work a literature review is carried out relative to botany characteristics, ethnobotany, pharmacological activity, toxicological and chemical composition of Eugenia species: Eugenia brasiliensis Lam, Eugenia dysenterica DC, Eugenia umbelliflora O. Berg, Eugenia florida DC., Eugenia involucrate DC. and Eugenia uniflora L. This retrospective descriptive study aims to evaluate the biopotential of the species belonging to this gender as well as the advancement in the development of the phytomedicines using these plants.(AU)

Atividade leishmanicida in vitro de Eugenia uniflora e Momordica charantia / Antileishmanial in vitro activity of Eugenia uniflora and Momordica charantia

A Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana no Brasil é causada por uma variedade de espécies de Leishmania e uma grande diversidade destes parasitas pode ser encontrada na Região Amazônica. Revisões recentes na quimioterapia de leishmaniose enfatizam as deficiências dos agentes terapêuticos atualmente disponíveis e mostram a necessidade urgente de novos candidatos. Uma alternativa para substituir esses medicamentos são extratos naturais de Eugenia uniflora e Momordica charantia. Foram preparados extratos etanólicos das folhas de E. uniflora e M. charantia. Para os testes in vitro de Leishmania brasiliensis foram utilizadas formas promastigotas. O ensaio de citotoxicidade foi realizado com linhagens de fibroblastos. Nossos resultados indicam que E. uniflora foi eficaz contra a cepa de parasita testada, representando uma fonte alternativa de produtos naturais com atividade contra L. brasiliensis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused in Brazil by several species of the genus Leishmania and a wide variety of these protozoan parasites can be found in Brazil, mainly in the Amazon region. Recent reviews on the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis show the low effectiveness of the usual therapeutic agents, demonstrating the need for new drugs. An interesting possible alternative to the conventional drugs is offered by natural products extracted from Eugenia uniflora and Momordica charantia. Ethanol extracts were prepared from the leaves of Eugenia uniflora and Momordica charantia and assayed in vitro against Leishmania brasiliensis promastigotes and fibroblasts to assess their antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities, respectively. Our results indicate that E. uniflora was active against the parasitic forms of L. brasiliensis

Biochemical and toxicological studies of aqueous extract of syzigium aromaticum (l.) Merr. et Perry (myrtaceae) in Rodents

Abstract: The effects of long-term administration of boiled aqueous extract of Syzigium aromaticum (SYZ), commonly known as clove (which has been locally employed for treating gastrointestinal tract diseases and also used as food spices), on some biochemical indices, such as body weight, liver functions and blood parameters were studied in adult albino rats of both sexes. Selected doses of 300 and 700 mg kg-1 were given orally through cannular to groups of animals for a period of 90 days, while the control group received distilled water throughout the duration of study via the same route. Blood samples collected after therapy and assayed for activities of some liver enzymes recorded a significant (p<0.05) and prominent effect on ALP and AST. Measurement of haematological parameters also revealed significant effects (p<0.05; p<0.001) on Hb, RBC (p<0.05), PCV (p<0.001), platelets (p<0.001) and granulocytes (p<0.001). An insignificant reduction was recorded for total WBC. The histopathological study conducted was in consonance with the results of the biochemical investigations that the aqueous extract of SYZ even at moderate doses, significantly affects body organs, their enzymes as well as the various functions. LD50 for both intraperitoneal and oral routes of SYZ were 263 and 2500 mg kg-1 respectively. The present work has revealed the toxicity of sub chronic administration of SYZ, which suggests that its prolonged usage must be avoided