Volatile constituents and biological activities of dried unripe flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum Linn. Syn. Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & S. G. Harrison

Abstract

Objective: Volatile oil and extracts of the dried unripe buds of Syzygium aromaticum L. syn. Eugenia
caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & S. G. Harrison (family Myrtaceae) have been used as a natural therapeutic
agent in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, pain, and antimicrobial properties from ancient times.
Materials and Methods: Research is principally focused on evaluating the effect of the unripe flower bud on
some acnegenic pathogens as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Antimicrobial study was
conducted on two microorganisms, i.e., Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermis. In vitro studies
were conducted for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Results: Volatile oil studies of the clove bud
showed the presence of seven volatile constituents. The oil was characterized by a large amount of eugenol
(61.17%) and followed by eugenol acetate (20.37%). The maximum antibacterial activity was observed with
1% v/v of volatile oil obtained from clove oil buds on P. acne (17.8 mm) followed by S. epidermis (16.8 mm).
An excellent scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical relative to Vitamin C (standard) at
P < 0.05 was also observed in cloves buds extracts (alcoholic 10% w/w) and volatile oil (1% v/v). A remarkable
anti-inflammatory activity observed by alcoholic extract (10% w/w) of unripe flower buds of clove against
diclofenac sodium (standard). However, the entire findings of this research scientifically justify the use of clove
in acne and pimples due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.