| خلاصه مقاله | Introduction: Myrtus communis L. (common myrtle), an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region, extends its natural distribution into Iran, where it is found primarily in the humid forests of Gilan and Mazandaran provinces and the southwestern regions, e.g., Khuzestan province. In traditional Persian medicine (TPM) texts, myrtle is known as “Aas,” and the various parts of the plant (leaves, berries, and flowers) are utilized based on its 'cold and dry' temperament. Important traditional applications of “Aas” include treating gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers), respiratory conditions (cough, bronchitis), skin infections, wounds, bleeding, oral inflammations, headaches, urinary tract disorders, and as a general tonic. Modern scientific research increasingly seeks to validate these ethnomedicinal applications and explore their therapeutic potential through phytochemical and pharmacological investigation.
Search strategy: The main TPM literature, including Makhzan-al-Advia by Aghili, Qanun-of-medicine by Ibn-Sina, Alshamel-fi-sanaat-al-tebbiyah by Ibn-Nafis, and Zakhireye Khwarazmshahi by Jurjani, was searched for the related information about the Myrtus communis descriptions, temperature, and medicinal uses. Also, the scientific databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were investigated to find the evidence of pharmacologic activities of the plant.
Results: According to the phytochemical analyses of essential oils from leaves, flowers, and berries, monoterpenes such as α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, limonene, α-terpineol, and geraniol; esters such as linalyl acetate, dihydroeugenyl‑butanoate, neryl acetate, and geranyl acetate; phenylpropanoids including eugenol and methyl eugenol; and some sesquiterpenes are the main active compounds. Also, flavonoids, including myricetin and quercetin derivatives, phenolic acids such as caffeic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and hydrolyzable tannins are found in the extracts of the medicinal parts of the plant. Moreover, myrtucommulone A and B, acylphloroglucinol derivatives, are the specific chemical markers in the leaves of the plant.
Recent pharmacological studies show that Myrtus communis extracts and essential oils have strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, as well as strong antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging and metal chelation. They have strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects by blocking pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, iNOS) and the NF-κB pathway. They also have anti-diabetic properties by inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), boosting glucose uptake, and improving insulin sensitivity. Additionally, they protect the stomach lining from ulcers through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. They promote faster wound healing by their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-repair effects. Recent studies also suggest they may protect nerve cells and kill cancer cells.
These diverse bioactivities may explain the various traditional uses of the plant, which are described in texts based on its dual hot and cold nature, predominantly characterized by a cold and dry component (morakkab-ol-gova). Pharmacological effects such as tonic, wound healing, hemostatic, hair fall control, and anti-diarrhea are attributed to the plant’s cold and dry properties, while other, more controversial effects might be explained by the presence of a hot component.
Conclusion: Scientific studies confirm Myrtus communis' ethnomedicinal applications, demonstrating significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and wound-healing activities mediated by bioactive phytoconstituents. While preclinical data are promising, clinical validation is required to establish therapeutic standardization and facilitate drug development. |