Phytochemical Properties and Diverse Beneficial Roles of <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Labill.: A Review

Abstract

Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is one of the most widely utilized medicinal plants throughout the world due to its wide spectrum of interesting biological activities that are mainly attributed to the diversity of phytochemical constituents in the plant parts. The emerging crisis of pathogen resistance for conventional antibiotics is considered a global concern for the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics; hence, there is an urgent need to explore new antimicrobial ingredients from botanical sources, among which the most promising sources are medicinal plants. Moreover, the growing limitation toward synthetic antioxidants motivated the scientific community all over the world to identify plant-acquired antioxidants and antimicrobials. This is a huge global challenge, because of the increasing public health awareness and reliance on natural compounds, as these compounds are safer alternatives. Moreover, the undesirable impacts of synthetic pharmaceuticals can be avoided. Furthermore, plant extracts and their oil could be used as eco-friendly plant-based products for insects, weeds, and plant pathogen control, which will diminish the dependence on synthetic chemicals. Thus, this review is to highlight the richness of the E. globulus plant, with precious bioactive constituents, antioxidants, antimicrobials, and phytoremediation, and herbicidal activities, which will pave the way to the development of new pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, as well as food preservatives. They may also provide potential commercial applications to counteract the limitations of synthetic antioxidants.

Keywords

• antimicrobial activity
• antioxidant activity
• <i>E. globulus</i>
• essential oil
• herbicidal activity
• 1,8-cineole