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 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. species are used in folk medicine, with antidiabetic, antirheumatic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This study systematically reviews the species to compile the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial effects. In addition, we provide information regarding the traditional uses and cytotoxic activity of 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 and antimicrobial activity, and toxicity, and and chemical composition as key words. Ninety-three studies were included, and the phytochemical analyses from these studies show that 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 genus. It is worth mentioning that some species cause significant cytotoxicity.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.