Santolina Chamaecyparissus: Chemical Composition, Biological Activities and Traditional Uses.

Abstract

Santolina chamaecyparissus L, commonly known as cotton lavender, is a strongly scented perennial shrub of the Asteraceae family and is of Mediterranean origin. It has been appreciated for its medicinal, cosmetic, and ornamental properties throughout the centuries, with traditional preparations taking advantage of its antispasmodic, antiseptic, digestive, and insect-repelling qualities. The plant contains numerous bioactive compounds, including polyphenols caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, flavonoids, luteolin, and rutin. It also has coumarins and essential oil components, including 1,8-cineole, camphor, artemisia ketone, sabinene, and β-eudesmol. These compounds are primarily localized in the aerial parts of the plant and are the reason for the extensive pharmacological activities of the plant. These bioactive compounds have been extracted by using a range of modern techniques such as methanolic maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE). Essential oils are primarily extracted through hydro-distillation and then subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Research has proven that S. chamaecyparissus possesses notable pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, and anticancer activities. The aforementioned benefits mainly accrue from its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, inhibit inflammatory enzymes such as cyclooxygenase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and regulate important signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK.