Thymelaea genus: Ethnopharmacology, Chemodiversity, and Bioactivities

Abstract

Thymelaea (F. Thymelaeaceae) is a large genus comprising around 30 species of evergreen and flowering plants. Most of them are native to the Mediterranean area. Despite its interesting chemical diversity and potent activities, there is still a lack of information about the characterization of its chemistry and mechanisms of action. This review aims to highlight the chemical and biological profiles of different Thymelaea species along with their Ethnopharmacology. In general, Thymelaea species possess potent anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antioxidant activities. The pharmacology of the different plants is due to their remarkable active ingredients that vary from daphnane diterpenes, lignans, flavonoids, and phenolic acids to volatile oils. From ethnopharmacology to preclinical evidence, Thymelaea species demonstrated a unique chemical profile with potent bioactivities. However, until now, there is a lack of information about their toxicological and clinical controlled trials, and so this review may give attention to more clinical trials to be proceeded on Thymelaea species.