Cistus albidus L.—Review of a Traditional Mediterranean Medicinal Plant with Pharmacological Potential

Abstract

Cistus albidus L. (Cistaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been used therapeutically since ancient times in the Mediterranean basin for its important pharmacological properties. The ability of C. albidus to produce large quantities of a wide range of natural metabolites makes it an attractive source of raw material. The main constituents with bioactive functions that exert pharmacological effects are terpenes and polyphenols, with more than 200 identified compounds. The purpose of this review is to offer a detailed account of the botanical, ethnological, phytochemical, and pharmacological characteristics of C. albidus with the aim of encouraging additional pharmaceutical investigations into the potential therapeutic benefits of this medicinal plant. This review was carried out using organized searches of the available literature up to July 2023. A detailed analysis of C. albidus confirms its traditional use as a medicinal plant. The outcome of several studies suggests a deeper involvement of certain polyphenols and terpenes in multiple mechanisms such as inflammation and pain, with a potential application focus on neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. Other diseases such as prostate cancer and leukemia have already been researched with promising results for this plant, for which no intoxication has been reported in humans.

Chemical profiling of volatile compounds of the essential oil of grey-leaved rockrose (Cistus albidus L.) and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activity in vitro and in silico

“…It is widely believed that this name references the distinctive woody capsule fruits. Native to the Mediterranean region and typically ranging in height from 50 to 250 cm (Schmidt, 1999), this shrub derives its name "albidus" not from the color of its blossoms, but due to the presence of fine white hairs (trichomes) that densely cover its leaves (Raus de Baviera et al, 2023). Cistus albidus can be recognized by its morphological features, which include five sepals, petals that vary in color from pink to purple, a large number of up to 150 yellow stamens, pollen with a thin exine measuring up to 1.4 µm in thickness, an elongated style that is equal to or longer than the stamens, and tricellular polysperm capsules.…”

Drug Selection and Posology, Optimal Therapies and Risk/Benefit Assessment in Medicine: The Paradigm of Iron-Chelating Drugs

“…Similarly, new advances in drug development include the introduction of improved drug posology [67][68][69], different routes of administration [70,71], new improved formulations, nanomedicines and other drug carriers, and drug combinations [71][72][73][74]. In the meantime, it should be noted that millions of patients choose to be treated in alternative medicine clinics using non-conventional treatments including a wide range of folk medicines, nutraceuticals and alternative medicinal drugs and combinations [75][76][77][78][79].…”