Abstract

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PHARMACEUTICAL AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF SANDALWOOD OIL

Soundararajan V.*, Ravi Kumar G., Murugesan K., Chandrashekar B. S. and Shetteppanavar V. S.

ABSTRACT

Santalum album L is commercially known as the East Indian sandalwood. The average yield of oil ranges from 2-6% w/w of heartwood content. Santalum album L. has been widely used in folk medicine for various ailments like common colds, bronchitis, skin disorders, heart ailments, infection of the urinary tract and other diseases. Since ancient times, sandalwood oil is recognized for its medicinal value and very interesting and powerful natural plant source. Recent pharmacological investigations reveal that the therapeutic potentials associated with Indian sandalwood oil and its constituents such as the role of santalols in combating cancer, viral diseases, as well as neuroleptic, skin nourishing agent and as dietary factors promise future healthcare applications. Sandalwood has been used in traditional medicine system for treating digestive complications arising from diarrhea, nausea, colic and gastritis, muscle relaxant and coolant. It has long been valued for treating these types of genito-urinary infections. Its use in treatment of skin problems is legendary. In the realm of mental and emotional therapeutics, sandalwood is used for treating stress, depression, stress anxiety and nervous tension as it is both a sedative and tonic. Antiviral activity of sandalwood oil against herpes simplex virus, anti-cancer activities, treatment of various eye infections as herbal eye-drop preparation, blood pressure and self-rated arousal like alertness, attentiveness, calmness, mood, relaxation and vigor in humans have been added to latest report. The aim of this review is to comprehend and put forth, available information on the therapeutic uses of Indian sandalwood oil from pharmacological point of view for future directions in clinical applications.

Keywords: Sandalwood Oil, Santalum album, folk medicine, pharmaceutical and therapeutic Applications.