Search Results (15)

Background/Objectives: Medicinal plants such as Santolina chamaecyparissus L., an evergreen shrub from the Asteraceae family, have long been valued for their bioactive compounds and traditional therapeutic uses. Materials: In this study, the essential oil of S. chamaecyparissus (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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. Full article

The flowers of Santolina chamaecyparissus have a distinct aroma and taste, with a wide range of applications in medicine, food, and packaging. Its essential oil offers numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic properties. Additionally, it is used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages and as a natural preservative in edible coatings for food packaging. This study investigates the chemical composition and sensory properties of the S. chamaecyparissus essential oil from Serbia, obtained via hydrodistillation, and includes a literature-based analysis of the existing profiles. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed for identifying the essential oil composition, while chemometric techniques like the genetic algorithm (GA), quantitative structure–retention relationship (QSRR) analysis, artificial neural network (ANN), and molecular descriptors were applied to ensure accurate and reliable results for authenticating the oil. Among the 47 identified compounds, oxygenated monoterpenes, especially artemisia ketone (36.11%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes, notably vulgarone B (22.13%), were the primary constituents. Chemometric analysis proved effective in predicting the oil’s composition, and sensory evaluation revealed a herbal aroma with earthy, woody, and camphoraceous notes. A literature review highlighted the variability in oil composition due to geographical, environmental, and extraction factors, underscoring its chemical diversity, bioactivity, and potential applications. Full article

Santolina chamaecyparissus L. (cotton-lavender) is receiving increasing attention due to its potential for modern medicine and is considered both a functional food and nutraceutical. In this work, the phytochemical profile of its flower hydromethanolic extract was investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and its applications as a biorational for crop protection were explored against Neocosmospora spp., both in vitro and in planta. The phytochemical profiling analysis identified several terpene groups. Among sesquiterpenoids, which constituted the major fraction (50.4%), compounds featuring cedrane skeleton (8-cedren-13-ol), aromadendrene skeleton (such as (−)-spathulenol, ledol, alloaromadendrene oxide, epiglobulol, and alloaromadendrene), hydroazulene skeleton (ledene oxide, isoledene, and 1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydro-2,2,8-trimethyl-,(3aα,8β,8aα)-5,6-azulenedimethanol), or copaane skeleton (cis-α-copaene-8-ol) were predominant. Additional sesquiterpenoids included longiborneol and longifolene. The monoterpenoid fraction (1.51%) was represented by eucalyptol, (+)-4-carene, endoborneol, and 7-norbornenol. In vitro tests against N. falciformis and N. keratoplastica, two emerging soil phytopathogens, resulted in effective concentration EC₉₀ values of 984.4 and 728.6 μg·mL⁻¹, respectively. A higher dose (3000 μg·mL⁻¹) was nonetheless required to achieve full protection in the in planta tests conducted on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) cv. ‘Diamant F1’ and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. ‘Optima F1’ plants inoculated with N. falciformis by root dipping. The reported data indicate an antimicrobial activity comparable to that of fosetyl-Al and higher than that of azoxystrobin conventional fungicides, thus making the flower extract a promising bioactive product for organic farming and expanding S. chamaecyparissus potential applications. Full article

Cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus L., Asteraceae) is a widespread medicinal and ornamental plant. This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary and detailed chemical composition as well as the biological activity of ethanolic extract. As part of the preliminary characterization, the content of total phenolics and flavonoids was determined, while the detailed characterization was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant activity was evaluated through four different tests: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH^•), and nitroso (NO^•) radicals, and lipid peroxidation (LP), as well as antihyperglycemic potential through the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. Additionally, in silico molecular modeling was employed to link the chemical composition to the antihyperglycemic potential. Chemical characterization showed that cotton lavender is a valuable source of phenolic compounds, with ferulic and p-coumaric acids being the most abundant. Moreover, the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract was demonstrated in vitro. The potential mechanism of the antihyperglycemic effect is the inhibition of the enzyme α-glucosidase, which was further investigated in silico using molecular modeling methods. This analysis suggested rutin and quercetin as compounds responsible for anti-α-glucosidase activity. Cotton lavender ethanolic extracts, as a valuable source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, possess moderate antioxidant effects and notable antihyperglycemic activity. According to in vitro and in silico investigations, it could be a valuable herbal supplement to complement diabetes treatment in medicinal therapy. Full article

Essential oils (EOs), including those from the Asteraceae plants, have been shown to have promising insecticidal activity against a wide range of insect pests. Understanding the mechanism of action of EOs is one of the studied aspects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of essential oils from Achillea millefolium, Santolina chamaecyparissus, Tagetes patula and Tanacetum vulgare on the settling and probing behavior of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). In addition, the effect of the oils on the activity of such enzymes as trypsin, pepsin and α- and β-glucosidase involved in the metabolism of proteins and sugars of the insects was examined. The leaf-choice bioassays demonstrated that the studied EOs limited aphid settling for at least 24 h after the treatment. The application of EOs also inferred with aphid probing behavior by reducing the total probing time and total duration of phloem sap ingestion. Aphids spent more time in the search phase due to an increase in the number and total duration of pathway phases. Moreover, the activity of the studied proteases and glucosidases significantly decreased in R. padi females exposed to the EOs. The enzyme inhibition varied depending on the applied oil and exposure time. Generally, the EOs with stronger deterrent activity also showed higher inhibitory effects. The results suggest that the tested EOs disrupt key digestive processes in R. padi which may be an important factor determining their aphicidal activity. Full article

The beneficial application of silver nanoparticles and biostimulants to increase crop yield and quality is a long-term strategy to achieve desired agricultural productions that are resilient to various biotic and abiotic challenges. This project aimed to evaluate the individual effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Ascophyllum nodosum (SEW), and Spirulina platensis (SP) on the growth and physiological responses of Santolina chamaecyparissus. S. chamaecyparissus plants were exposed to AgNPs (20, 40, and 60 mg L⁻¹), SWE (0.5% and 1%), and SP (1%, 2%, and 3%). The finding indicates that the light-harvesting efficiency and plant photochemical capacity are not affected by most treatments except for 60 mg L⁻¹ AgNPs. Furthermore, the pattern of H₂O₂ levels in leaves was significantly higher after AgNP, SP, and SEW treatments. In parallel, total phenolic production was at least accompanied by a burst in H₂O₂ levels. However, higher antioxidant activity compared to the control, is shown by the higher free-DPPH-radical inhibition that goes completely smoothly with lower H₂O₂ levels. Thus, the results of the present study showed that biostimulants overall improved the antioxidant activity of S. chamaecyparissus and induced variable detectable amounts of phenolic compounds in response to the concentrations of each biostimulant. Full article

Santolina chamaecyparissus, commonly known as cotton lavender, is a plant with recognized medicinal properties that has been traditionally used for several conditions, including providing relief in premenstrual syndrome and the treatment of infections and digestive disorders. Its extracts have been found to have a range of therapeutic effects and can be used in modern medicine due to their analgesic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antispasmodic properties, or as central nervous system depressants. This work provides the readers with a review of the current research on Santolina chamaecyparissus, emphasizing its potential as a novel therapeutic approach in modern medicine, making it a functional food and nutraceutical. Full article

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Santolina chamaecyparissus L. has successfully inhibited the MCF-7 cancer cell line. This study aims to evaluate the chemopreventive effects of S. chamaecyparissus aqueous extract (SCE) on female rats’ physiological parameters with mammary cancer induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). The institutional ethics committee approved this study. Twenty-eight four-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into Control, MNU-induced (IND), SCE and SCE+IND. SCE was supplemented with drinking water (120 µg/mL). At 50 days of age, MNU was intraperitoneally administered. Humane endpoints were evaluated weekly. After twenty-one weeks, animals were sacrificed by ketamine/xylazine overdose and blood was collected. A complete blood count was performed using an automated haematology analyser. An autoanalyzer was used to measure serum markers (albumin, cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides). SCE’s chemical characterisation was performed by LC-MS, as it found nineteen phenolic compounds, the main molecules were myricetin-O-glucuronide and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Regarding haemoglobin concentration, there was a difference (p = 0.050) between SCE and Control (16.38 ± 0.41 g/dL and 15.18 ± 0.29 g/dL, respectively). Mean Platelet Volume differed between SCE+IND (8.29 ± 0.15 fL) and IND (9.03 ± 0.26 fL) (p = 0.014). Platelet Distribution Width differed between 9.06 ± 0.14 fL (SCE + IND) and 10.58 ± 0.42 fL (IND) (p < 0.001), but also between SCE (8.78 ± 0.16 fL) and SCE + IND versus control (9.86 ± 0.17 fL) (p = 0.007 and p = 0.034, respectively). SCE had no effect on the humane endpoints or serum markers. Platelet size appears to have been significantly affected by SCE. SCE supplementation had no effect on liver or kidney function or the well-being of the animals, implying it could be a viable treatment option for breast cancer. Histological analysis will help confirm SCE’s toxicological profile. Full article

Breast cancer is the most often diagnosed cancer worldwide, with the greatest fatality rate among women in 2021. Santolina chamaecyparissus L. has been shown to successfully inhibit cancer cells’ proliferation, especially in the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line. This study’s goal was to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of a S. chamaecyparissus aqueous extract (SCE) on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer in female rats. This study was approved by the ORBEA under reference 834-e-CITAB-2020. Twenty-eight four-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, MNU, SCE and SCE+MNU. SCE was supplemented in drinking water (120 µg/mL) ad libitum and replaced every 3 days due to the compounds’ stability. A total of nineteen compounds were identified in the extract, with myricetin-O-glucuronide and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid being the main compounds found. At 50 days of age, the MNU was administered by intraperitoneal route. Humane Endpoint analysis was performed weekly. Induced animals were palpated twice a week. Tumour width (W) and length (L) were weekly measured with a calliper. Tumour volume was also determined [V = (W² × L)/2]. After twenty-one weeks, animals were sacrificed by a ketamine/xylazine overdose. Control and SCE animals did not develop any tumours. In the MNU group, the first tumour appeared during the ninth week; in SCE+MNU, it only appeared in the sixteenth week. No significant differences were found. However, the tumour incidence in SCE+MNU (28.57%) was lower than in MNU (57.14%). The MNU group had a higher mean tumour weight (2.31 ± 1.13 g) than the SCE+MNU group (0.39 ± 0.02 g) and a larger mean tumour volume (2.02 ± 1.23 cm³) than SCE+MNU (0.57 ± 0.15 cm³) (p > 0.05). Despite the lack of statistically significant differences between groups, the absence of mortality in SCE+MNU, as well as the lower values in each parameter, suggest that Santolina chamaecyparissus has interesting potential as a chemoprotective agent. Histopathological analysis will help understand this extract’s impact on oncogenesis. Full article

Natural herbicides based on essential oils (EOs) extracted from aromatic plants are gaining relevance in contemporary agriculture. Due to their allelopathic properties, they have an inhibitory effect on the germination and growth of different species, having, in general, the advantage of high specificity. For this reason, the analysis of the effects of these natural compounds on noxious weeds is continuously increasing. In the present study, three commercial EOs extracted from Mentha piperita L., Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. and Santolina chamaecyparissus L. were tested on two invasive weeds with an increasing presence in southern Europe, Erigeron bonariensis L. and Araujia sericifera Brot. Five concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1 and 2 µL mL^–1) were tested in a randomized manner for each essential oil and five replicates with 20 seeds each for E. bonariensis and 10 replicates with 10 seeds each for A. sericifera. Two higher concentrations of 4 and 8 μL mL^–1 of the three EOs were applied with irrigation on the plants of the two species at the vegetative growth stage. The number of replicas for each treatment and species was 7. The results obtained confirmed the significant inhibitory effects on seed germination and early seedling development, especially in E. bonariensis; of the three EOs, peppermint had the strongest effect, completely preventing germination in both species. Multivariate analysis, performed on several morphological traits scored after one month of treatment in young plants, showed a different pattern: the highest inhibition was recorded in A. sericifera and the greatest reduction in growth in the treatment with the highest dose of Santolina EO. The results obtained revealed the efficacy of these natural compounds and the specificity of their toxicity according to the species and stage of development. Full article

Santolina is a plant genus of dwarf aromatic shrubs that includes about 26 species native to the western Mediterranean Basin. In Corsica and Sardinia, two of the main islands of the Mediterranean, Santolina corsica (tetraploid) and S. insularis (hexaploid) are reported. Along with the cultivated pentaploid S. chamaecyparissus, these species form a group of taxa that is hard to distinguish only by morphology. Molecular (using ITS, trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF, trnQ-rps16, rps15-ycf1, psbM-trnD, and trnS-trnG), cypsela morpho-colorimetric, morphometric, and niche similarity analyses were conducted to investigate the diversity of plants belonging to this species group. Our results confute the current taxonomic hypothesis and suggest considering S. corsica and S. insularis as a single species. Moreover, molecular and morphometric results highlight the strong affinity between S. chamaecyparissus and the Santolina populations endemic to Corsica and Sardinia. Finally, the populations from south-western Sardinia, due to their high differentiation in the studied plastid markers and the different climatic niche with respect to all the other populations, could be considered as an evolutionary significant unit. Full article

This study investigated the toxicity of essential oils (EOs) from Santolina chamaecyparissus (L.) and Tagetes patula (L.) towards the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). The effects of the EOs on aphid population parameters and levels of biochemical markers of oxidative stress within insect tissues were analyzed. In laboratory bioassays, application of the studied EOs at sublethal concentrations reduced daily fecundity and led to a decrease in the intrinsic rate of natural increase in both aphid species. Treatment with EOs also induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within aphid tissues. The highest levels of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide were noted after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Moreover, a significant increase in lipid peroxidation was shown in treated aphids, especially between 48 and 72 h after exposure. The increase was more pronounced after treatment with the essential oil of S. chamaecyparissus, which also exhibited higher aphicidal activity in toxicity tests. The activities of antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)—were significantly elevated in both aphid species in response to the tested EOs. The obtained results suggest that oxidative stress evoked by treatment with the studied EOs may be an important factor determining their toxicity towards aphids. Full article

The interest in natural phenolic compounds has increased because of their attractive use especially as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in foods. The large content in phenolic compounds of interest in Santolina chamaecyparissus L. (S. chamaecyparissus) makes this plant a target source that is worthy of note. In this work, new extraction technologies comprising ultrasound (UAE) and microwave (MAE) assisted extraction of the phenolic compounds in S. chamaecyparissus have been developed, optimized, and compared. Several extraction factors have been optimized based on a Box-Behnken design. Such optimized factors include the percentage of methanol in water (25–75%), the temperature (10–70 °C), the ultrasound amplitude (20–80%), the ultrasound cycle (0.2–1 s), the solvent pH (2–7) and the solvent-sample ratio (5/0.2–15/0.2 mL/g) with regard to UAE, while the percentage of methanol in water (50–100%), the temperature (50–100 °C), the pH (2–7) and the solvent-sample ratio (5/0.2–15/0.2 mL/g) were optimized for MAE. The solvent composition was the most influential parameter both on MAEs (64%) and UAEs (74%). The extraction optimum time was established as 15 min for MAE and 25 min for UAE. Five major phenolic compounds were detected and identified by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography—Quadrupole Time of Flight—Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QToF-MS) in the extracts: chlorogenic acid, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, isoorientin, and cynarin. With the exception of chlorogenic acid, the other four compounds have been identified for the first time in S. chamaecyparissus. The findings have confirmed that MAE is a significantly more efficient extraction method than UAE to extract phenolic compounds from S. chamaecyparissus. Full article

Essential oils (EOs), extracted from aromatic plants, have been proposed as candidates to develop natural herbicides. This study aimed to evaluate the herbicidal potential of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Mentha × piperita L. and Santolina chamaecyparissus L. essential oils (EOs) on Avena fatua L., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv, Portulaca oleracea L. and Amaranthus retroflexus L. and their effects on soil microorganisms. A pot experiment was set up and three EOs at three doses were applied by irrigation. Efficacy and effects of EOs on weed growth were determined. Soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, microbial respiration, and the main microbial groups were determined at days 7, 28 and 56. EOs demonstrated herbicidal activity, increasing their toxicity with the dose. T. capitata was the most effective against all weeds at the maximum dose. P. oleracea was the most resistant weed. Soil microorganisms, after a transient upheaval period induced by the addition of EOs, recovered their initial function and biomass. T. capitata EO at the highest dose did not allow soil microorganisms to recover their initial functionality. EOs exhibited great potential as natural herbicides but the optimum dose of application must be identified to control weeds and not negatively affect soil microorganisms. Full article

In the search of sustainable and environmentally friendly methods for weed control, there is increasing interest in essential oils (EOs) as an approach to reduce synthetic herbicide use. The phytotoxicity of Thymbra capitata, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Santolina chamaecyparissus EOs against the noxious weed Erigeron bonariensis were evaluated in pre- and post-emergence assays in greenhouse conditions. The EOs were applied at 2, 4, and 8 µL/mL, with Fitoil used as emulsifier. In post-emergence, two ways of application were tested, irrigation and spraying. Several germination parameters (germination %, mean germination time, and synchrony of the germination process) were evaluated in pre-emergence tests, and the phytotoxicity level was assessed in post-emergence. In pre-emergence, all EOs significantly reduced seed germination as compared to the controls, ranking: T. capitata > E. camaldulensis > S. chamaecyparissus > M. piperita. The effectiveness of all EOs varied with the tested dose, always following the rank 2 μL < 4 μL < 8 μL, with T. capitata EO showing full effectiveness even at the lowest dose. In post-emergence, T. capitata was the most effective EO, inducing a rather complete inhibition of plantlet growth at the highest two doses. These EOs demonstrated to have good potential for the formulation of natural herbicides. Full article