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Molecules
Volume 30
Issue 22
10.3390/molecules30224425
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Review

Cistus ladanifer L.: Essential Oils, Volatiles, By-Products, and Their Biological Properties

by
Custódia Gago
1,*,
Boulanouar Bakchiche
2,3,
Tahar Djekhioua
2 and
Maria da Graça Miguel
1,*
1
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, edf. 8, Campus de Gambelas, MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
2
Laboratory of Biological and Agronomic Sciences (LBAS), University of Laghouat, Laghouat 03000, Algeria
3
Research Unit on Medicinal Plants (URPM), Laghouat 03000, Algeria
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2025, 30(22), 4425; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224425 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 6 October 2025 / Revised: 9 November 2025 / Accepted: 12 November 2025 / Published: 16 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Volatile Organic Compounds: Extraction, Characterization and Biological Activities)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Cistus ladanifer L., commonly known as gum rockrose, is a Mediterranean shrub of growing interest due to its valuable essential oils (EOs) and labdanum resin. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the chemical composition and biological activities of EOs and hydrolates from C. ladanifer across Mediterranean regions, with particular emphasis on Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and France. α-Pinene, viridiflorol, and camphene were found to be the major constituents in the EOs with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the identified biological properties have prompted studies exploring innovative strategies such as nanoparticle encapsulation, the development of bioactive films, and the incorporation of EOs into food and pharmaceutical packaging. By-products from EO distillation, including lignocellulosic residues, the extraction of phenolic-rich compounds, and hydrolates, have shown potential for value-added applications. Altogether, C. ladanifer represents a versatile species with possible applications in cosmetics, pharmaceutical development, and the food industry.
Keywords: rockrose; labdanum; essential oils; antimicrobial; antioxidant; herbicidal properties; cytotoxicity; bioactive by-products rockrose; labdanum; essential oils; antimicrobial; antioxidant; herbicidal properties; cytotoxicity; bioactive by-products

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gago, C.; Bakchiche, B.; Djekhioua, T.; Miguel, M.d.G. Cistus ladanifer L.: Essential Oils, Volatiles, By-Products, and Their Biological Properties. Molecules 2025, 30, 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224425

AMA Style

Gago C, Bakchiche B, Djekhioua T, Miguel MdG. Cistus ladanifer L.: Essential Oils, Volatiles, By-Products, and Their Biological Properties. Molecules. 2025; 30(22):4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224425

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gago, Custódia, Boulanouar Bakchiche, Tahar Djekhioua, and Maria da Graça Miguel. 2025. "Cistus ladanifer L.: Essential Oils, Volatiles, By-Products, and Their Biological Properties" Molecules 30, no. 22: 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224425

APA Style

Gago, C., Bakchiche, B., Djekhioua, T., & Miguel, M. d. G. (2025). Cistus ladanifer L.: Essential Oils, Volatiles, By-Products, and Their Biological Properties. Molecules, 30(22), 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224425

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