Blessings in disguise: a review of phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of plants belonging to the genus Eryngium

Abstract

Medicinal and edible plants play a crucial role in the prevention and/or mitigation of different human diseases from ancient times to today. In folk medicine, there are different plants used for infectious disease treatment. During the past two decades, much attention has been paid to plants as novel alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of infectious diseases due to their bioactive natural compounds such as phenol, flavonoids, tannins, etc. The genus Eryngium (Apiaceae) contains more than 250 flowering plant species, which are commonly used as edible and medicinal plants in different countries. In fact, some genus Eryngium species are used as spices and are cultivated throughout the world and others species are used for the treatment of hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, burns, fevers, diarrhea, malaria, etc. Phytochemical analysis has shown that genus Eryngium species are a rich source of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids. Moreover, eryngial, one the most important and major compounds of genus Eryngium plant essential oil, possesses a significant antibacterial effect. Thus, the objective of this review is to critically review the scientific literature on the phytochemical composition and antibacterial effects of the genus Eryngium plants. In addition, we provide some information about traditional uses, cultivation, as well as phytochemistry.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and their fractions from three Eryngium L. species

“…The treatment of bacteria and fungi with the fractions gave better results than with extracts. The antimicrobial activity of extracts has been described for some Eryngium species [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. The results of Meot-Duros studies on E. maritimum antimicrobial activity of leaves extracts showed that apolar fractions are generally more active, as compared to polar fraction.…”

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Aerial Parts and Roots of Eryngium barrelieri Boiss. and Eryngium glomeratum Lam. from Tunisia

“…The composition of E . thorifolium was found to be rich in α ‐pinene, a known antibacterial terpenic compound, which was present in fewer amounts in the other two species …”

“…The essential oil was active against all the tested dermatophyte species with MIC values of 0.16 – 0.32 μl/ml and Candida guillermondii with a MIC and MLC of 2.5 μl/ml. Authors suggested that caryophyllene derived compounds (isocaryophyllen‐14‐al (16.2%), 14‐hydroxy‐ β ‐caryophyllene (13.4%), caryophyllene oxide (7.6%) and E ‐ β ‐caryophyllene (6.3%)) are probably the responsible for the antifungal activity …”

“…The genus Eryngium L. is the largest genus in the Apiaceae family . It encompasses more than 250 flowering plant species, which grow worldwide mainly in Eurasia, northern Africa, northern and southern America, and Australia . Eryngium species are commonly used as edible and medicinal plants in different countries.…”

“…[3] Eryngium species are commonly used as edible and medicinal plants in different countries. In fact, some genus Eryngium species are used as spices and are cultivated throughout the world [2] and others species of this genus have been employed in traditional medicines in many countries for preparation of diuretic, appetite stimulant, laxative, antinociceptive or anti-inflammatory remedies [4 -6] and for the treatment of hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, burns, fevers, diarrhea, malaria, etc. [2] Recent biological investigations have confirmed some traditional medicinal uses.…”