Plants have been vital to human survival for aeons, especially for their unique medicinal properties. Trees of the Eucalyptus genus are well known for their medicinal properties
Species | Origin of Plant Studied | Part(s) of Plant Studied § | Ethnomedical Uses | Compounds Isolated | Biological Testing Performed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
C. bleeseri (Blakely) | Australia | K | Kino is applied to cuts and wounds to promote healing [22] and is used to treat skin lesions, scabies, cramps, sore throats and coughs [17]. | – † [23] | – |
C. calophylla (Lindl.) |
Australia | K, B | Kino is used to treat chronic bowel conditions and dysentery [17]. | Aromadendrin; kaempferol; ellagic acid [24]; oleanolic acid acetate [25]; (+)-afzelechin *; pyrogallol; (+)-catechin [26]; leucopelargonidin *; aromadendrin; sakuranetin [27]. | – |
C. citriodora (Hook.) | Algeria; Australia; Bangladesh; Benin; Brazil; China; Colombia; Cote d′Ivoire; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Egypt; India; Türkiye; Kenya; Madagascar; Morocco; Nigeria; Pakistan; Portugal; Taiwan; Thailand; USA | L, K, T, Fr, H | Leaves and bark are used as antiseptics, expectorants, and treatments for influenza and colds, toothaches [28][29] and diarrhoea [29]; hot water extracts of the dried leaves are used to treat colds, influenzas, respiratory infections and sinus congestion [30][31][32][33][34][35]; water extracts are also used to treat, vomiting, nausea, indigestion, bloating, irritable bowel and abdominal pain [30]; leaves are used in India and Africa to treat obesity, ageing, cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes and respiratory problems [36][37]; in Nigeria, leaves are boiled and consumed for the treatment of typhoid fever, stomach aches and malaria [38]; Dharawal people use leaves to treat inflammation, wounds and fungal infections [39]. Kino is traditionally used to treat diarrhoea and bladder inflammation and is applied to cuts and abrasions [40][41]. |
Shikimic acid; quinic acid; glutaric acid; succinic acid; malic acid; citric acid [42]; (±)-(trans)-p-menthane-3,8-diol; (±)-(cis)-p-menthane-3,8-diol [43]; 6-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl]-7-O-methyl aromadendrin [40]; citronellol acetate [44]; 3,5,4′,5″-tetrahydroxy-7-methoxy-6-[1-(p-hydroxy-phenyl)ethyl]flavanone; 3,5,7,4′,5″-pentahydroxy-6-[1-(p-hydroxy-phenyl)ethyl] flavanone [45]; 1-O,2-O-digaloil-6-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucoside; 1-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-6-O-cinamoil-β-D-glucoside; α- and β-6-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-D-glucoside; 7-methylaromadendrin-4′-O-6″-trans-p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucoside; aromadendrin; aromadendrin-7-methyl ether; naringenin; sakuranetin; kaempferol-7-methyl ether; gallic acid [46]; citriodora A *; 3β,7β,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23-(E)-dien-19-al; kuguacin A; kuguacin H; 3β,7β-dihydroxy-25-methoxycucurbita-5,23-(E)-dien-19-al; kuguacin S [47]; trans-calamenene; T-muurolol; α-cadinol; 2β-hydroxy-α-cadinol; 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde; 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid; linoleic acid; squalene; α-tocopherol; erythrodiol; morolic acid; betulonic acid; cycloeucalenol; cycloeucalenol vernolitate *; β-sitosterol; β-sitosteryl-β-D-glucoside; sitostenone; yangambin; sesamin [48]; rhamnocitrin; 6-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-7-O-methyl aromadendrin *; 6-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-rhamnocitrin; kaempferol; 7-O-methyl aromadendrin [49]; citriodolic acids A–C *; rosmarinic acid; ferulic acid; gallic acid [50]; ellagic acid; gallic acid; quercetin; myricetin; 3-O-methylellagic acid-4′-O-α-L-rhamnoside; quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactoside; kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside; quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide; quercetin-3-O-rutinoside; 3,3′,4-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl [39]; rhodomyrtosone E *; betulinic acid; oleanolic acid; ursolic acid; corosolic acid; asiatic acid; madasiatic acid; euscaphic acid; 5,7,4′-trihydroxy dihydroflavanol; isoquercitrin; isomyricitrin; myricitrin; gallic acid [51]; citrioside A *; hesperidin; baicalin; puerarin; trifolirhizin 6′-monoacetate; trifolirhizin [52]; citrioside C *; kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (12)-α-L-rhamnoside; kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside; quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside [53]; 7-O-methylaromadendrin; aromadendrin-dimethyl ether; 7-O-methylkempferol; ellagic acid [54]. | Anti-Fungal Activity: potent fungicidal activity of leaf EO against C. albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis [55]; anti-fungal activity of leaf EO against M. canis, M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum [56]; anti-fungal activity of leaf EO against A. alternata, C. lunata and B. specifera [57]; leaf EO enhanced wound healing rate of C. albicans-infected wounds in rats [44]; anti-fungal activity of petroleum ether leaf extract [58]; anti-fungal activity observed in leaf/twig EO [33]; fungicidal activity of leaf EO against C. albicans [36]; anti-fungal activity against P. notatum, A. niger and F. oxysporium observed for 7-O-methylaromadendrin, 7-O-methylkaempferol and ellagic acid [54]. Anti-Bacterial Activity: anti-bacterial activity of leaf extracts against M. aureus, E. coli and My. Pheli [54]; anti-bacterial activity of petroleum ether leaf extract [58]; anti-bacterial activity observed from leaf/twig EO [33]; anti-bacterial activity of leaf EO against S. sanguinis and S. salivarius with anti-biofilm activity [18]; bactericidal activity of leaf EO against E. coli and S. aureus [36]; bactericidal activity of leaf EO [37]; anti-bacterial activity of aqueous EtOH leaf extract [59]; anti-bacterial activity of fruit and twig EOs against several species [60]; anti-bacterial activity of leaf extract against S. aureus [61]; airborne TB inhibition by volatile leaf EO components [62]; leaf EO inhibits the growth of V. campbellii BB120 bacteria [63] and treatment of brine shrimp infected with V. campbellii with EO enabled their survival [64]. Acaricidal Activity: acaricidal activity of leaf EO against A. nitens larvae [65]; leaf EO and citronellal reduced R. microplus reproductive parameters and increased larval mortality [66]. Anti-Protozoal Activity: anti-trypanosomal activity of leaf EO against T. brucei [67], T. evansi [67] and T. cruzi [68]; anti-trypanosomal activity of EtOH extract against T. brucei [69]; anti-plasmodial activity observed against P. falciparum 3D7 and INDO strains [70]. Anti-Viral Activity: potent anti-viral activity against RSV observed in citriodolic acids A–C [50], citrioside A [52] and quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside [53]. Insecticidal Activity: fumigant activity against the R. speratus [71]; larvicidal activity against A. aegypti [72]; larvicidal activity of leaf hexane extract against An. Stephensi, Cx. Quinquefasciatus and Ae. Aegypti [73]; larvicidal activity of aqueous EtOH leaf extract [59]; larvicidal activity of leaf EOs against S. frugiperda larvae [74]; insecticidal activity of MeOH extract against T. castaneum [75]. Anti-Oxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Activity: leaf EO showed significant inhibition and IC50 values of 4.8–344 µg/mL in DPPH assays [31][33][76][77][78][79][80]; floral EO showed moderate DPPH inhibition [31]; leaf EO showed potent peroxidation inhibition in a linoleic acid/β-carotene assay [33]; leaf and floral EOs showed micromolar protease inhibition [31]; anti-inflammatory properties via inhibition of LOX-1 [28]; kino EtOH extract [32] and flavanols isolated from kino exhibited 15-LOX inhibition [49]; potential anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity of leaf EO via LOX and ACE2 inhibition [81]; potent anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties of ellagitannin fraction in rats [20]; potent inhibition of LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages [82]; ellagic acid isolated from C. citriodora leaves showed anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity in an EtOH-induced acute gastric ulcer mouse model [39]; leaf EO showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in rats and mice [35]. Anti-Diabetic Activity: betulinic acid and corosolic acid isolated from C. citriodora leaves enhanced GLUT-4 translocation activity [51]; aqueous leaf extract enhanced insulin secretion and glucose uptake in vitro and had anti-diabetic effects in high-fat-fed rats [80][83]; EtOH leaf extract had anti-diabetic and insulinotropic activity in high-fat-fed rats [21]. Anti-Cancer Activity: Anti-proliferative activity of aqueous extract against MIA, PaCa-2, BxPC-3, CFPAC-1 and HPDE cells [30]; leaf EO exhibited anti-proliferative activity against THP-1 cells [84]; EtOAc fraction of EtOH kino extract and isolated 6-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl]-7-O-methylaromadendrin exhibited potent anti-proliferative activity and apoptosis induction in B16F10 melanoma cells [40]; aqueous fraction of EtOH kino extract inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells [41]; leaf EO showed potent anti-cancer activity against HCT-116, MCF-7 and hepG-2 cells [76]; moderate cytotoxicity of leaf EO against A-549, PC-3, T98G and T47D cells [57]; fruit EO was cytotoxic toward A549, HeLa and CHOK1 cells [85]. Other Bioactivity: aqueous extract of leaves and branches detoxified mycotoxins aflatoxins B1 and B2 [86]; leaf EO exhibited anti-spasmodic effects via inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contraction of a rat ileum [29]; mosquito repellence [43][87]; acetone leaf extract delayed loss of climbing ability and reduced oxidative stress in transgenic Drosophila expressing h-αS in the neurons [88]. |
C. dichromophlo-ia (F. Muell.) | Australia | – | Kino infusions are used to treat respiratory complaints [17]; mixed with water as a general tonic and analgesic mouth rinse for toothaches [17][89]; mixed with water for sore eyes, lips, wounds, skin lesions, burns, scabies, cramps and sore throats [17]; kino sucked or decoction prepared as tonic for cardiac complaints [17][89]. Leaves are boiled in water and consumed for respiratory conditions [22]. |
– | – |
C. eximia (Schauer) | Australia | L | Dharawal people use leaves to treat colds, fever, chest and muscle pain, extreme diarrhoea and syphilitic sores and as a wash for joints [90]. | – | Ethanolic leaf extract showed anti-inflammatory properties in RAW 264.7 macrophages [90]. |
C. gummifera (Gaertn.) | Australia | K, L | Leaves used for respiratory conditions and as a wash for joints [90]. Leaves and kino are used as haemostatics and to treat diarrhoea, ringworm, venereal sores and other STIs [17][91]. |
Aromadendrin; ellagic acid [24]. | Moderate anti-inflammatory activity observed in RAW 264.7 macrophages [90]. |
C. intermedia (R.T. Baker) | Australia | K, L, FL | The Yaegl aboriginal community uses kino to treat warts and wounds and as a haemostatic [92][93]. | Intermediones A–D *; (4S)-ficifolidione [19]. | Intermediones A, B and D showed moderate anti-plasmodial activity against P. falciparum 3D7 [19]; intermedianone A also displayed anti-proliferative activity against HEK-293 cells [19]. |
C. maculata (Hook.) | Australia, Egypt, India, Nigeria | L, K, B | Kino is applied directly to burns, and used to treat muscle aches, cramps, wounds, scabies, ringworm, venereal sores, muscle aches and cramps [94]; kino is also ingested to treat coughs, colds, influenza and other infections, dysentery and diarrhoea [94]; kino is also used to treat chronic bowel inflammation [17]. Dharawal people use leaves to treat respiratory infections, fever, chest and muscle pain, and as a wash for joints [90]; juice extracted from the leaves is used to treat paralysis and rheumatism in India [30]. In Australian bush medicine, gum derived from the bark is used to treat bladder infections [30]. |
β-Germacrenol [95]; 8-demethyl eucalyptin; 8-demethyleucalyptin; myrciaphenone A–B; quercetin-3-O-β-D-xyloside; myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside; quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactoside; quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside; quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside; syringic acid; gallic acid-3-methyl ether; gallic acid-4-methyl ether; gallic acid [96]; ellagic acid; p-coumaric acid; naringenin; 7-O-methylaromadendrin [97]; leucopeargoniidin-3-O-α-L-rhamno-β-D-glucoside *; 5,7-dihydroxy 4′-methoxy flavanone [98]; cinnamic acid; 7-O-methyl aromadendrin; sakuranetin; 1,6-dicinnamoyl-O-α-D-glucoside* [99]; p-coumaric acid; 1-O-cinnamoyl 6-O-coumaroyl-β-D-glucoside *; 7-methylaromadendrin-4′-O-(6′′-trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucoside * [100]; 3β,13β-dihydroxy-urs-11-en-28-oic acid [101]; 6-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-7-O-methylaromadendrin [40]. | Potent anti-leishmanial activity against L. donovani observed in eucalyptin, Myciaphenone A and five flavonoid glycosides [96]; potent anti-trypanosomal activity against T. brucei [101]; leaf aqueous extract inhibited PaCa-2 cell proliferation [30]; MeOH extract showed anti-inflammatory properties in vitro [102]; EtOH leaf extract exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in RAW 264.7 macrophages [90]; MeOH kino extract showed significant anti-inflammatory properties in rats [102]; 7-O-methylaromadendrin, sakuranetin and 1,6-dicinnamoyl-O-α-D-glucoside isolated from the kino [99] exhibited anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective properties in rats [103]. |
C. opaca (D.J. Carr & S.G.M. Carr) | Australia | – | Kino is applied directly to scabies, cuts and sores, and the gum is boiled in water and applied to sore eyes [22]. | – | – |
C. papuana (F. Muell.) | Australia | B | Kino is used as a decoction for sores, cramps, burns, pains and cuts, skin lesions, scabies, sore throat and cough; infusions are used for colds and sore eyes [17]. | Morolic acid [104]. | – |
C. polycarpa (F. Muell.) | Iran | L | Kino is used to treat sores, burns, cuts, burns, yaws, ulcers, dysentery and toothaches [17][91]. | – † [105][106] | Anti-bacterial activity of leaf EO against S. aureus [107]. |
C. terminalis (F. Muell.) | Australia | – | Kino is applied to wounds, cuts, sores, toothaches, scabies, skin lesions scabies and cramps [17][22]; it is also taken in water for diarrhoea, headaches, coughs, heart disease and blood conditions [17][22][89]. Bark is used to treat dysentery [91]. |
– ‡ [108] | – |
C. tessellaris (F. Muell.) | Australia | – | Kino is consumed for dysentery [17]; gum is used for constipation [91]. | –† [109] | – |
C. torelliana (F. Muell.) | Australia, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria | K, L, B FR, FL | Leaves are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, sore throats, bacterial respiratory and urinary tract infections [110]; leaf poultice is applied to ulcers and wounds [110]; hot water extracts of leaves are used in Nigerian traditional medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cancer treatment and to alleviate intestinal disorders [111]. | Torellianones A–F *; torellianol A *; ficifolidione; (4R)-ficifolidione; kunzeanone A–B [112]; (+)-pinene; (±)-α-pinene; (-)-β-pinene; ocimene; (+)-aromadendrene; benzaldehyde [113]; 5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxy-6-methylflavone [114]; hydroxymyristic acid methyl ester; methyl (E)- and (Z)-6-(8-oxooctadecahydrochrysen-1-yl)non-7-enoate [115]; (2S)-cryptostrobin; (2S)-stroboponin; (2S)- cryptostrobin 7-methyl ether; (2S)- desmethoxymatteucinol; (2S)-pinostrobin; (2S)-pinocembrin [116]; 3,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavanone; 3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavanone; 4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone; 3,4′,5-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone; (+)-(2S)-4′,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methylflavanone; 4′,5,7-trihydroxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone; 4′,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone [117]. |
Torellianones C–F, (4R)- and (4S)-ficifolidones and kunzeanone A exhibited anti-plasmodial activity against P. falciparum [112]; potent in vitro anti-H. pylori activity of leaf and stem extracts across various strains [110]; leaf and stem bark extracts and isolated compounds showed anti-TB activity [115]; anti-bacterial activity of stingless bee propolis, fruit resin and isolated flavonoids against S. aureus [116]; moderate anti-bacterial activities and potent cytotoxicity to PC-3, Hep G2, Hs 578T and MDA-MB-231 exhibited by leaf and fruit EOs [111]; anti-tuberculosis activity observed in hydroxymyristic acid methyl ester and methyl (E)- and (Z)-6-(8-oxooctadecahydrochrysen-1-yl)non-7-enoate [115]; MeOH extract of leaves and bark showed anti-secretory and gastroprotective properties in rats with EtOH/HCl-induced ulceration [118]. |
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/plants12213686