Exploring the Phytochemical Profile and Therapeutic Potential of Saudi Native Santolina chamaecyparissus L. Essential Oil

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Medicinal plants such as <i>Santolina chamaecyparissus</i> L., an evergreen shrub from the Asteraceae family, have long been valued for their bioactive compounds and traditional therapeutic uses. <b>Materials:</b> In this study, the essential oil of <i>S. chamaecyparissus</i> (EOSC) was isolated via hydrodistillation and then comprehensively evaluated for its phytochemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hemolytic, and cytotoxic properties, as well as its in silico bioactivity. <b>Results:</b> In total, 89.5% of the essential oil composition was successfully identified using GC-MS analysis. Hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes constituted the largest fraction (36.0%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (19.7%). Phytochemical screening revealed high phenolic content (839.50 ± 5.0 mg GAE/g E.O), while the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assay confirmed its strong antioxidant potential. The oil showed moderate hemolytic activity and significant lipoxygenase inhibition, indicating anti-inflammatory capability. The cytotoxic effects of the EOSC were evaluated using the MTT assay and HepG2 liver cancer cells. A dose-dependent reduction in cell viability was observed, confirming the oil’s strong anticancer activity. Molecular docking and ADMET analyses supported the bioactivity of the identified compounds, which showed good drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings demonstrate that EOSC has promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that it could have potential as a safe natural substance for use in drug development and food preservation.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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