Biological redox reactions and environmental factors, such as pollution, smoke, and sunlight, can lead to the production of free radicals, the accumulation of which in excess in the body can cause damage to organisms and threaten human health. Given that synthetic antioxidants can lead to harmful effects and the overuse of antibiotics has caused increased resistance in many species of bacteria, herbs are considered a safe alternative to synthetic drugs and are of interest to many researchers.

Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb is an aromatic flower bud of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to Indonesia and is a spice of sorts. Eugenia caryophyllata also has many therapeutic uses, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antiemetic, stimulant, antiflatulent, and for the treatment of dyspepsia.

In a study, scientists investigated the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Eugenia caryophyllata essential oil. The experiments included determining the chemical composition of Eugenia caryophyllata essential oil using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis, studying the antimicrobial activity of the oil against four pathogenic bacteria, determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the tested oil using disc diffusion method and agar incorporation method, respectively, and evaluating its antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. From the results obtained, it was shown that the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata has strong antibacterial activity and that this oil also has a powerful antioxidant effect and is higher than the standard antioxidants: gallic acid, vitamin C, and BHT.

In conclusion, the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata may be an alternative natural source of medicine for the prevention and treatment of many diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and oxidative stress.

Benaraba, R., Abdelhak, B., Hammoudi, S. M., Boukraa, L., Ayad, N., Boubakeur, B., & Abdellah, F. (2021). Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb Essential Oil. Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research, 9(4), 51-62. [Link]
Kamatou, G. P., Vermaak, I., & Viljoen, A. M. (2012). Eugenol—from the remote Maluku Islands to the international market place: a review of a remarkable and versatile molecule. Molecules, 17(6), 6953-6981. [Link]