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REVIEW article
Front. Pharmacol.
Sec. Ethnopharmacology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1565656
This article is part of the Research Topic Reviews in Ethnopharmacology: 2025 View all 8 articles
Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Activity of Myrsine africana L.: A Comprehensive Review
Provisionally accepted
Getaneh Worku Moges 1*
Gizachew Mulugeta Manahelohe 1
Melesse Ababay Asegie 1
Banchamlak Sewachen Tasew 1
Desilal Kokebie Molla 1
Aderaw Anteneh Belew 2- 1 University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- 2 Jigjiga University, Jijiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia
Myrsine africana L. is a member of the Myrsinaceae family, which encompasses more than 1000 species and 35 genera predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions. This plant is abundant in Africa and Asia, and has been traditionally utilized for its aromatic properties in tea, spices, appetizers, carminatives, and flavoring agents. Despite its wideranging applications, a comprehensive review of its phytochemical potential and biological effects has not yet been conducted. This study aims to fill that gap by reviewing the phytochemical composition and biological activities of M. africana. Literature was gathered using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The wide range of uses of M. africana can be attributed to its rich phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins. Among its significant biological activities, M. africana is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, it shows potential in antispasmodic, antityrosinase, antibacterial, anti-aging, and anticancer applications. Additionally, it is used to treat conditions, such as malaria, helminthosis, wounds, tuberculosis, and gastrointestinal complications. Some of the isolated compounds from different parts of M. africana include methylvilangin (11), methylanhydrovilangin (12), 2-hydroxychrysophanol (13), myrsinene (25), myrsigenin (26), myrsininone A (27), myrsininone B (28), and myrsinoside B (30), as well as various other flavonoid compounds. This review aims to systematically explore the phytochemical profiles and associated biological activities of M. africana, highlighting key compounds and their pharmacological implications. By bringing together information, it emphasizes the potential of M. africana in drug discovery and future research.
Keywords: Myrsine africana, Biological activity, antioxidant activity, Antibacterial activity, secondary metabolites
Received: 23 Jan 2025; Accepted: 28 Feb 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Moges, Manahelohe, Asegie, Tasew, Molla and Belew. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Getaneh Worku Moges, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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