Natural sources and pharmacological properties of santalenes and santalols

Santalum album L., commonly known as sandalwood, is a tree species with recognized medicinal properties. The essential oil extracted from the heartwood of this tree is of considerable economic importance. It is used as an essential ingredient in many traditional medicinal practices worldwide, being widely employed for the prevention and treatment of different ailments. The medicinal and physiological benefits of sandalwood are well recognized due to its richness in phytochemicals, especially sesquiterpenes. In addition, sandalwood is of great historical and economic importance as a venerable and highly valuable natural scent resource, renowned for its many medical and commercial uses. Cultivated in India for more than 25 centuries, sandalwood is appreciated worldwide for its pleasant and long-lasting aroma. Numerous biological features and potential health benefits associated with sandalwood have been extensively studied, including its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant activities. The objective of this review is to elucidate the several natural origins of santalenes and santalols, as well as their biosynthetic pathways, while exploring the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of sandalwood. Among the reported characteristics are antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, further investigations regarding the toxicity and pharmacokinetic aspects of S. album and its main compounds, santalenes and santalols, are strongly required to support their efficacy in medical applications.