Ethnopharmacologic relevance: Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab. (Myrtaceae) known as Sahara myrtle is
appreciated by the Touaregs as medicinal plant. Infusion of leaves is employed against diarrhea and
blennorrhea. Crushed leaves added to oil or to butter ointment have been traditionally used for the
treatment of dermatosis. Aim of the study is to consider the traditional medicinal uses and the lack of
scientific studies on their biological activities, the present study was designed to elucidate the chemical
composition, the antifungal activity of its essential oils against fungi responsible for human infections, as
well as, its cytotoxicity in the mammalian keratinocytes.